Jessica sat in the passenger seat, watching the building.
"This is where we're going?"
David nodded.
"Yes."
"Who lives here?"
"Nobody."
She looked at him.
"Then why are we here?"
David opened the glove compartment.
Inside was an old brass key.
"Because nobody remembers this place."
Jessica studied him.
"That's supposed to make me feel better?"
"No."
He stepped out.
"Just stay close."
Jessica followed him toward the house.
Captain Shaw had gone to a separate location to secure the original photograph and contact an independent federal investigator.
Lieutenant Harris had remained behind.
David had refused to let him come with them.
Jessica still didn't understand why.
She had worked with Harris for almost five years. He had trained her during her first months in the department.
He had attended her promotion ceremony.
He had even helped her mother repair the roof after a storm.
The idea that he might have been involved in her father's disappearance made her feel sick.
David unlocked the front door.
The hinges creaked.
Inside, the air smelled of dust and old wood.
Jessica turned on her flashlight.
The living room was almost empty.
A broken sofa.
A small wooden table.
A wall clock that had stopped at 11:30.
She looked at David.
"Why does that clock say eleven thirty?"
David examined it.
"Because that's the time your father disappeared."
Jessica stared at him.
He moved toward the wall.
There was a framed photograph hanging above the fireplace.
David carefully removed it.
Behind the photograph was a small metal compartment.
He inserted the brass key.
The compartment opened.
Inside were three objects.
An old police badge.
A photograph.
And a folded envelope.
David picked up the badge.
It belonged to Michael Miller.
Jessica stepped forward.
"Oh my God."
She reached for it.
David allowed her to take it.
She held the badge in both hands.
It was scratched and slightly tarnished, but the number was still visible.
She recognized it immediately.
It was the badge her father used to keep in a wooden box at home.
"Where did you get this?"
David answered quietly.
"Your father gave it to me."
Jessica looked up.
"When?"
"The night he disappeared."
Her breathing became unsteady.
"He knew he was going to disappear?"
David shook his head.
"He knew somebody was following him."
Jessica stared at the badge.
"Why didn't he come home?"
David didn't answer immediately.
Then he said:
"Because he believed that if he returned home, they would follow him."
Jessica's eyes filled with tears.
"Did he know about me?"
David looked at her.
"Of course."
"Did he ever ask about me?"
David nodded.
"Every time I heard from him."
Jessica pressed the badge against her chest.