Even as that thought crossed his mind, he could hear Andi's voice in his head telling him that the investigation wasn't about making Neil and Claire comfortable. It was about finding Elisa, and she couldn't leave any stone unturned. She'd probably say that with a pointed look, because he was the one who said the investigators in Hannah's case didn't dig into every clue.

  On the other hand, like the agents on Hannah's investigation, Andi had zeroed in on the close family circle and not on the broader pool of suspects. To be fair, she had to start somewhere. Frowning, he wondered why he felt the sudden need to be fair, because this wasn't about Andi's feelings, either.

  He also wondered if he should have told Neil he had a past with Andi. In the beginning, he'd thought the case would be over before the sun went down, but as it went on, as Neil questioned Andi's actions, he was starting to feel like he should have been up-front from the start. Not that their past relationship was getting in the way. He was probably getting better information than he would have if they hadn't known each other before.

  At this point, he didn't want to muddy the waters. Neil didn't need anything else to worry about, but what he did need was a strong liaison with the FBI, and that was him. So, he'd keep going and hope that together he and Andi would be able to do what they couldn't do before—bring a missing child home.

  Chapter Eleven

  Andi knew the media was frustrated with their press conference. They had very few facts to relate and couldn't confirm any of the speculative suggestions from the reporters. Damon had spoken first, then introduced her to field questions. They'd done well in portraying a unified front, but they couldn't give the answers everyone wanted to hear, and she was thankful when it was over. She had never wanted to be the face of the FBI, but in her line of work, she'd found herself at far more podiums than she would have liked.

  "That wasn't worth much," Damon muttered as they stepped away from the microphones. "But necessary. Hopefully, it brings in some new leads."

  "I hope so," she said fervently, as Flynn joined them.

  "I need to talk to you and Flynn for a few moments," Damon added. "Let's go to my office."

  He led them out of the room, down a back hallway and up a flight of stairs to his office. There was a woman sitting outside who handed Damon a note as he paused at her desk.

  Damon told her to give them a few minutes and then led them into a large room with floor-to-ceiling windows and a view of the park across the street. It was an impressive office for an impressive job, and she couldn't help thinking that both of these men, who had stood out at Quantico as natural-born leaders had definitely fulfilled the promise she'd seen then.

  But she didn't like the way they were looking at her now, with a mix of questions and doubt.

  "What's going on?" she asked.

  "Why didn't you tell us you were friends with Dr. Bradford when you were kids, that you were the one who pointed law enforcement at his brother?" Damon asked.

  "Oh, right. To be honest, I was thrown when he showed up, and then I didn't want to waste time getting into all that when a child's life was on the line. It's not a factor in anything."

  "Of course, it's a factor," Damon said. "I gave you and Flynn this case, not realizing that Bradford has a grudge against you. I wanted to get away from politics and a conflict of interest, which was why I handed off this investigation in the first place."

  She suddenly realized why Damon was coming down on her. Agent Burnett had told him he'd made a huge mistake by benching him and picking her to lead the investigation.

  "There's no conflict of interest," she argued. "Cooper—Dr. Bradford—and I are fine dealing with each other."

  "Is that true?" Flynn asked. "Because I remember you telling us about the kidnapping case that inspired you to join the Bureau and how you learned that the investigation doesn't always go where you want it to go. You pointed a finger at Bradford's brother, right? The one who was falsely accused, who started Bradford on his mission in life to prevent that from happening to anyone else."

  "All that is true," she said. "But Cooper and I were fourteen when that happened. It was eighteen years ago. We've grown up. Our only goal is to find Elisa. We are not in conflict over that. And we can work together as the Benedict family wants us to do. There's really nothing to worry about. I'm sorry I didn't say something earlier. Everything was happening fast, and it didn't feel like a problem to me then. It feels like even less of one now. Cooper has insight into the family and access that we don't have, and I have the investigative experience required to solve this case. We're a good team." She couldn't quite believe she was fighting to work with Cooper, but it was the best solution at this point. "Also," she added. "The person Cooper has the most problems with is Agent Burnett. I was a kid who said something about his brother. Burnett is the one who went after him."

  "All right," Damon said. "Keep going and bring that kid home."

  "That's what I intend to do. Is that it?"

  "That's it," Flynn said. "I'm going to talk to Damon, so I'll catch up with you later."

  As she walked out of the office, she really hoped her omission about her relationship with Cooper wasn't going to diminish Flynn or Damon's trust in her, because her new job wasn't going to work without trust. But all she could do now was her best. The rest would follow, or it wouldn't. She couldn't worry about any of that now.

  She left the office and headed downstairs to the lobby. When she got there, she saw Cooper waiting by the front door.

  "Did you catch any of the conference?" she asked, motioning for him to follow her outside.

  "I didn't catch the beginning. Did you talk about Claire's postpartum depression?"

  She started at his sharp question. Acutely aware that there were too many people in earshot, she led him across the street to the park. "Claire told you about our conversation."

  "Yes. Neil is furious. Claire is a hysterical mess. You leave behind a rough wake, Andi."

  "I had to ask her about it, Cooper. In fact, you should have told me she suffered from postpartum, since it sounds like you're not surprised."

  "I knew about it, but this was months ago. It didn't even cross my mind that it could be a factor, and I don't believe it is." He paused for a moment. "Neil wants you off the case."

  "Well, that's not his call," she said sharply. "I'm doing everything I can to find his daughter, and if that makes him or his wife uncomfortable, so be it. I'm not trying to upset them, but I'm not going to ignore a fact that could be relevant in finding Elisa. I'm working for her, not for them."

  She was surprised when he nodded in agreement.

  "I get that," he said.

  "You do?"

  "Yes."

  They stared at each other for a long minute, each weighing the other's words. "Okay, then," she said.

  "Do you really think it's relevant?" he asked.

  "Probably not," she admitted. "But I needed to hear what she had to say about it."

  "How did you find out? Not many people know."

  "I had a source that I can't disclose."

  "Interesting. A source that you can't talk about. I have to admit I'm curious about who that could be."

  "Then you'll have to be curious." She pulled her phone out of her pocket. She'd turned it off during the press conference, and now there were several text messages. She read through them with a growing sense of excitement.

  "Something has happened," Cooper said. "What?"

  "My team found the car that almost ran us over last night. It belongs to Enrique Flores, the owner of The Fourth Street Garage, the gym where Daniel Guerrero, Solange's son, was working out the morning of the kidnapping. That doesn't sound like a coincidence."

  "No, it doesn't."

  She texted Nick that she would head over to the gym now. "I need to get to the gym."

  "I'm going with you."

  "Fine. My car is nearby. Where's yours?"

  "Two blocks away in a parking garage, so you can drive."

  "I was planning on it."

  As they walked to her car, he said, "Has someone from your team spoken to Mr. Flores?"

  "Not yet. Someone spoke to a staffer yesterday to confirm Daniel's alibi, but with this new piece of information, I'm curious to know what Daniel's relationship is with Enrique Flores." She shot Cooper a look as she started the engine. "Did you get anything else from Neil this morning?"

  "No. Neil is frustrated and worried. I tried to calm him down, and I assured him you were doing your due diligence by investigating everyone."

  She was surprised he could get those words out. "Did you tell him you and I knew each other when we were kids?" she asked.

  "I did not. But it occurred to me today that I should have. What about you? Did you tell your team?"

  "I just did. I should have done it from the beginning. They're hoping our past won't present a conflict for the case. Will it?"

  "Not on my end."

  "Because Damon will assign someone else to the case if you and I are going to be a problem."

  "Someone like Agent Burnett?"

  "Maybe."

  "Well, he's the last person I'd like to see in charge. You're the lesser evil."

  She sighed. "Well, I guess that's better than being the greater evil."

  "That didn't come out right. The point is, I think you'll do a better job than Burnett, and I'll be there to help. We're on the same page where Elisa is concerned."

  "That's what I told my boss." She pulled into traffic, working her way toward the freeway.

  "Did you learn anything else last night after you went back to the office?" Cooper asked.

  "I learned a lot about the Benedict's—Neil and his business dealings, his ex-wife, Shana, his partner Larry Friedman and his ex-wife, Michele, but it was all public information, nothing deep. There was a lot less information on Kristine or Solange and her family."

  "I asked Neil more about Kristine after you left. He's surprisingly defensive of her."

  At the odd note in his voice, she asked, "What are you thinking?"

  "Nothing really."

  "Come on, Cooper. I won't hold you to it, and I can probably guess just by the way you said it."

  "Fine. I'm hoping that they didn't have a relationship that wasn't strictly employer and employee."

  "Do you think he would have told you if they had an affair?"

  "Neil told me about Jillian, so maybe. But he didn't say that. He just kept reiterating that she was a wonderful young woman who wasn't into material things or social media. He felt like she was loving and kind and down to earth. It was all very glowing. He doesn't have one iota of doubt about her, which seems a little…"

  "Surprising," she finished. "Considering that Kristine was the last person to see Elisa. And she's not at the house. Nor is she answering her phone."

  "He's not that concerned. He said she was around all day yesterday and was willing to answer questions."

  "You're right. She was willing; she just had little to say."

  "Maybe she just has a really boring life outside of her job as a nanny. She didn't grow up in this country. She may not have many friends."

  "Well, I hope she shows up before her absence makes her more of a suspect."

  They arrived at the gym a little past twelve, and the fitness center was busy with the lunchtime crowd. After asking for Enrique at the front desk, they were waved into the manager's office where they found an older Hispanic man working on his computer. He had dark hair and eyes and wore a pair of reading glasses. He looked up at them with a distracted expression.

  "Yes?" he asked.

  "Are you Enrique Flores?"

  "I am. Who are you?"

  "Agent Hart from the FBI," she said. "I have a few questions for you."

  "About Daniel Guerrero? I already told the FBI that Daniel was working out in the gym yesterday morning," he said, as he took off his reading glasses. "I don't have any other information."

  "Where were you last night around 7 p.m.?" she asked.

  "Me?" he asked in surprise. "Why are you asking me that?"

  "Because your car was involved in a hit and run."

  "I wasn't driving my car last night. My wife picked me up at six and we went to dinner at Moreno's."

  "Who else would have had access to your vehicle?"

  At her question, Enrique frowned. "I keep my keys in a drawer at the front counter. The car is used for pickups and deliveries. Sometimes someone gives a kid a ride home. It's not uncommon for someone else to be driving my car."

  "Was the car here when you left?"

  "Yes."

  "I'm going to need a list of everyone who was working here last night."

  "Tyler Holmes and Jamal Norlani were working the counter." He got on his computer. "Grant was running a class from 6:30-7:30. Caroline did a spin class at six and Kerry was teaching yoga at eight."

  "Are any of those individuals here now?"

  "Jamal," he said, getting to his feet. He walked out of the office, and they followed him back to the counter where a muscled, stocky male in his early twenties was folding hand towels.

  "Jamal, did someone use my car last night around six thirty or seven?" Enrique asked.

  Jamal's gaze wavered at the question as it moved from Enrique to her and Cooper. "Uh, I don't know."

  "Well, you need to think harder," Enrique said sharply. "Because the car was involved in a hit and run, and I need to know who was driving it."

  "A hit and run? I don't think that happened."

  "Jamal, I'm an FBI agent," she interrupted. "This is serious. If you or someone else was driving the car, you need to come clean now."

  "I wasn't driving the car."

  "Then give us another name," she said.

  Jamal hesitated, then said. "It was Tyler. A friend of his needed a ride home. He was gone about an hour and then he brought the car back. He didn't say he got in an accident."

  "Do you know who Tyler drove home?"

  "I didn't see who it was."

  "When will Tyler be in? Does he work today?"

  "He'll be here at five tonight," Jamal said. "He has classes until then. He goes to SMCC."

  "Is Tyler friends with Daniel Guerrero?" she asked, hoping to find some connection between the car, the bar, and the deliberate run-down.

  "He knows Daniel. We all do."

  "Was Daniel here last night?"

  "I don't know. He was here in the morning. I'm not sure if he came back."

  "Look it up," Enrique told Jamal.

  Jamal stepped up to the computer, punched in a few keys and then said. "Daniel checked in around five. I don't know when he left."

  Finally, they were getting somewhere. "What can you tell me about Daniel?" she asked. "Did you talk to him yesterday? What kind of mood was he in? Does he have a lot of friends here?"

  "I don't really know. He started boxing a few months ago. He's been a regular since then. He talks to Tyler more than me. I didn't notice his mood. I don't pay that much attention." Jamal paused as two women came into the gym and swiped their cards.

  Enrique turned to her. "Are we done?"

  "For the moment," she said. "But we need to talk to Tyler. Can you give me his contact information?"

  Enrique tipped his head at Jamal once more, who then rattled off Tyler's phone number and address.

  "Thanks," she said, then she headed out the door.

  When they got into the car, she called Tyler, but his phone went to voicemail.

  "Jamal could have tipped him off that you'd be calling," Cooper said as he fastened his seatbelt.

  "Could have sent him a text the second we walked out the door," she agreed, meeting his gaze.

  "Do you want to go to his house?"

  "At some point, but I think it's time to talk to Solange again. Maybe we'll get lucky, and Daniel will be there, too."

  "I haven't seen a lot of good luck so far," Cooper said dryly.

  "Hopefully, that will change. I think Daniel was in the car with Tyler, because I don't see why this other kid goes after us."

  "I'm not sure why Daniel would go after us. It would have been a reckless move, and it didn't result in anything more than drawing our attention."

  "He could have hit us. Taking me out of the investigation could make a difference. Although someone else would take it over."

  "Maybe not someone as good as you," he said. "But you're not out, thanks to my quick moves."

  "How long are you going to hold that over me?"

  "Probably a very long time."

  Chapter Twelve

  After putting Solange's address into the GPS, she pulled out of the parking lot. "What do you know about Solange and her family?" Andi asked.

  "She makes great enchiladas and tamales. She's been working for Neil for ten years and has always been a hard worker." He paused. "I was actually surprised when she stayed with Neil's ex-wife Shana for a while after the divorce. Solange always seemed closer to Nick. But once Claire was pregnant, Solange thought Neil would need help with the baby, and he was thrilled to have her back."

  "It's interesting that she returned when the baby was born."

  "Is it? It makes total sense to me. She thought he needed more help than Shana, and she was right. From what Neil told me, Solange was a godsend when Claire was struggling with depression. She moved in for a month before they found Kristine. Solange loves that little girl."

  "Have you ever talked to Daniel?"

  "Once or twice. He never had much to say, but sullen and distant describes a lot of boys his age."

  "That's true. I remember thinking that you'd gotten a little weird the last few months we were hanging out. You didn't have as much to say as you used to. It felt like things were changing even before Hannah disappeared."

  "Maybe they were," he muttered. "You were changing, too."

  She was afraid to ask what he meant by that and also sorry she'd brought their past back up. A phone buzzed from inside her bag—her personal phone. Her work phone was on the console between them.

  She pulled out her personal phone and saw her father's name flash across the screen. She sent the call to voicemail and dropped the phone back in her bag. A moment later, it buzzed again. She ignored it. The third time it buzzed, Cooper shot her a questioning look.