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Emma asked, thinking only of her sister now.  For a short time tonight, she'd been able to set aside stress and worry, probably because her attraction to Linc had given her something else to think about.
    "If we meet with her tomorrow morning, she said Nathan can watch Matthew.  Does that work for you?"
    "Becky has preschool tomorrow.  I drive her there around 8:30.  It's a few blocks from here."
    "Around 9:30 should work, then," Linc decided.  "I can give you directions to Gillian's or I can pick you up."
    "I can drive myself," she responded quickly.  She was used to standing on her own two feet and didn't want to depend on anyone, certainly not this man who was out of her league.
    "All right.  Do you want me to meet you there, or do you want me to stay out of it altogether?  I do want you to keep in mind that Gillian and I will be discussing this even though any tips the hotline receives will be routed to the detective in charge.  I never know what else might develop from airing the interview."
    Work with a psychic.  Just what did that entail?  Linc was saying he probably had connections she'd need, so her answer was obvious.  "I'd like you to be involved, but I know how busy you must be."
    "Everyone is busy with what they make themselves busy with.  I can clear my schedule in the morning."
    "Then I really would like you there."  For moral support, as well as his connections, she realized.  "Would you like that coffee?"
    He checked his watch.  "I'd better go.  I have other calls to make tonight.  I'll let Gillian know we're on for the morning.  She suggested you bring a picture of your sister and something personal of hers if you have it.  A piece of clothing is always good...jewelry, too."
    "Her clothes are here.  With the close of the semester at school, she'd emptied her dorm room."
    "So she lived with you when school wasn't in session?"
    "Yes.  And babysat for me.  She's great with Becky..."  Emma's voice trailed off.  Then she swallowed and went on, "As I told Tessa, she'd just finished earning an associate degree and was looking for work."
    Linc looked as if he wanted to console her...or something.  But instead, he walked through the living room into the kitchen and then to the carport door. 
    Emma stepped outside with him.  Night had fallen.  The neighborhood was quiet except for the slam of a car door, a dog barking in the distance.  Wisteria grew along the side and roof of the carport and Emma suddenly felt as if she and Linc were standing in a world of their own.  The kitchen light sent a dim glow outside, but he was standing in shadow and she couldn't altogether see his face.
    "Today turned out to be quite different than I expected," she told him.
    He shifted toward her and she could see him more clearly.  The brisk tone he'd used before was gone as he said, "The interview itself had to wear you out, let alone the stress from my suggestion.  If you aren't entirely comfortable with this idea, Emma, just say so.  It doesn't have to go any further."
    She considered her interview, their walk on the beach and everything Linc had said.  "It's been three months, Linc.  The trail for the police is long dead.  I can't sleep at night wondering where Paige is and what's happened to her.  She's only twenty.  She had her whole life in front of her."
    "She might still have.  That's why we're going to see Gillian."
    "To get answers, one way or another," Emma concluded, not knowing if she could believe a psychic, not knowing what would happen next.
    The anguish in her voice must have brought Linc closer, because suddenly he was near enough to touch and was holding onto her shoulder.  "It's better to know the truth than to constantly think about the worst, don't you think?"
    "Yes."
    His hand slid under her hair and she could feel his thumb on her neck and his finger almost caressed her.  "Emma."
    The sound of her name was a warning, telling her she should step away if she didn't want what