At 8:17 p.m., my father was sitting in the living room, watching the local news.

He had changed into his gray sweatpants and poured himself a glass of bourbon. The storm rattled the windows, but the house was warm, and the lights in the kitchen reflected off the polished wooden floors.

Karen sat curled into the corner of the sofa beneath a blanket.

She had stopped crying.

“Do you think Emily will come back tonight?”” she asked.

Richard didn’t look away from the television.

“Not unless she’s ready to apologize.””

“She was really angry.””

“She has a lot to be angry about,” he said.

“Most of it is her own fault.””

Karen tucked her feet beneath the blanket.

“I just don’t want anything bad to happen to her.””

It was a perfect performance.

Richard sighed, finally turning toward her.

“You did the right thing telling me.””

“But she’s my sister.””

“And you’re the one who tried to help her. Don’t let her make you feel guilty for that.””

Karen nodded.

For a moment, the only sound was the television and the rain against the windows.

Then the landline rang.

Richard frowned.

Almost nobody called the house anymore. Most people used his cell phone, and the few relatives who still had the landline number generally called during the day.

He reached across the coffee table.

“Hello?””

“Is this Richard Walls?””

The man on the other end sounded calm, but there was something deliberate about his voice.

“Yes. Who’s calling?””

“Officer Daniels with the County Police Department. I need to ask you a few questions about your daughter, Emily Walls.””

Richard straightened.

“What about her?””

“First, can you confirm that Emily is fifteen years old?””

“Yes. Why?””

“When did you last see her?””

Richard glanced at Karen.

“She left the house earlier.””

“Approximately what time?””

“Just after five.””

“And what was she wearing?””

Richard’s expression shifted.

“Why does that matter?””

“Sir, I need you to answer the question.””

He set down his glass.

“She was wearing jeans and a sweatshirt. I don’t remember the color.””

“Was she wearing a coat?””

“No.””

There was a pause.

Richard’s fingers tightened around the phone.

“Why are you asking me all these questions?””

“Because a motorist found a fifteen-year-old girl unconscious beside County Road 18. She was wearing jeans and a sweatshirt, and she had no coat, phone, or money with her.””

The room went silent.

Richard stared at the wall.

For several seconds, he seemed unable to understand the words.

Then he said, “No.””

“Sir?””

“No, that can’t be Emily.””

“Her backpack contained school materials bearing her name. We also located a student identification card.””

Richard stood so abruptly that his knee struck the coffee table.

“Is she alive?””

Officer Daniels didn’t answer immediately.

That delay was enough to make Richard’s face lose its color.

“Is my daughter alive?”” he demanded.

“She was transported to County General Hospital. The medical team is treating her for severe cold exposure. I can’t give you a reliable prognosis over the phone.””

Richard grabbed the back of the sofa.

Karen had risen to her feet.

“What happened?”” she whispered.

He held up one hand, ordering her to be quiet.

“Which hospital?”” Richard asked.

“I’ll come right now.””

“Before you leave, Mr. Walls, I need to establish a few details. Did Emily have permission to leave the house?””

Richard swallowed.

“We had an argument.””

“Did you ask her to leave?””

He looked toward the front door.

The brass deadbolt was still turned.

“I told her to go outside until she calmed down.””

“Did you provide her with a coat?””

“No.””

“Did you know she had no phone or money?””

Richard closed his eyes.

He could still see me standing on the porch, my wet hair sticking to my cheeks, my backpack lying in a puddle.

He could still hear himself telling me to leave.

“I thought she’d go to a friend’s house,” he said weakly.

“Which friend?””

Richard opened his mouth.

Nothing came out.

He didn’t know.

He had never asked.

Officer Daniels continued, his voice firm but controlled.

“Mr. Walls, your daughter was found several miles from your home during severe weather. The person who discovered her reported that she was barely responsive. I need you to understand that this is a serious situation.””

Richard pressed his free hand against his forehead.

“I didn’t know she was going to walk that far.””

“Did you attempt to contact her after she left?””

“No.””

“Did anyone in your household?””

Richard looked at Karen again.

She had gone very still.

“No,” he admitted.

Officer Daniels let the silence sit between them.

Then he said, “There’s another reason I’m calling.””

Richard’s stomach tightened.

“What reason?””