Page 48 of State of Bliss

“Mrs. Carter?”

“I’m here. You caught me off guard. The last thing I expected today was a call from the MPD or the first lady.”

“I’m just a lieutenant on the job, ma’am, and I wanted to let you know we’re taking a fresh look at Brittany’s case. I wondered if I might come by tomorrow afternoon to go over a few things.”

“You want to come here.”

“Yes, ma’am. Would that be okay?”

“Um, sure, I guess. Have you found her?”

“No, we haven’t, but we’re pursuing some new leads.”

“Why, after all this time, do you suddenly care about my daughter?”

“I’ll explain that to you when I see you, if that’s all right. What time is good for you?”

“Any time is fine.”

“Would two o’clock work?”

“Sure.”

“Could I ask that you not tell anyone that I’m coming? I don’t want our meeting to turn into a three-ring circus. I’m sure you can understand.”

“I won’t tell anyone but my husband.”

“Thank you.”

After Sam confirmed the address with her, she said she’d see her tomorrow. Next, she called Cristen Hans Reid and got the same stunned silence after she introduced herself.

“We’re taking another look at your sister’s case, and I was wondering if I might come by tomorrow afternoon to go over some of the details with you.”

“You want to come to my home after all this time to discuss my sister’s case?”

Sam found the hostility in her tone more than understandable.

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Why now?”

“We’ve uncovered some new information that we’re actively pursuing. I wanted to update you on that and to fill in a few blanks on the original investigation.”

“What investigation? The guy they assigned didn’t do shit to find her. We’ve had our own investigator working on it ever since, but he’s never come up with anything either.”

“I’m deeply sorry for the failings of the officer who was assigned to your sister’s case. We’re trying to rectify that now.”

“He’s in prison, right? For trying to kill you?”

“Yes, that’s right. May I come by tomorrow between three and four?”

“I guess.”

She confirmed the address. “Thank you for your time. I appreciate it.”

“I hope this time we might get some answers.”

“I do, too.”

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