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small town of Palm Dale. The Andersons, spotlighted through media coverage, were officially public enemy number one, and to release them would be a violation of the public trust. Miriam knew this, as did her colleagues on the force. By the end of the day, however, she felt relieved that authorities had no choice but to release the family.
    “Are we sure this is the right call?” Lou asked as he, Miriam, and Agent Nettles convened in Captain Porter’s office.
    “We’re keeping tabs on them,” Nettles said. “Twenty-four hours a day, until that bastard comes out of hiding.”
    “How can we be sure that he hasn’t fled the country?” Porter asked from behind his desk.
    The air of a demoralized police force hung in the air. They had failed to capture the Snatcher for more than six years. Now—after finding him—they were forced to relinquish the only bargaining chip they had—his extended family.
    Nettles cut in. “At this point, it would be extremely hard for Mr. Anderson to travel any significant distance. He’s on the no-fly list, and his mug is on posters in every federal building from here to Tallahassee.”
    “The news media are going to have a field day with this,” Lou said, shaking his head.
    “Have you been watching the news?” Porter asked. “They already are.”
    Miriam hadn’t said a word yet. She was too distracted, watching her phone. She had done her part and expected the call to come at any minute. The anticipation was killing her. The sickness in her stomach—the exhaustion and headache—were all symptoms of her frantic pain and worry about Ana. Surely Anderson’s lawyer had contacted Phillip by now and informed him of his family’s pending release.
    After scrolling through his phone, Lou looked up suddenly, as if struck by a new concern. “I hate to say it, but is the department taking any measures to ensure the family’s safety?”
    Porter shot him a cockeyed glare and took a sip of bottled water. “Which family? Those Anderson scumbags?”
    Lou held his phone up for everyone to see. “You should see the comments on some of these news threads. People are out for blood.”
    Porter shook his head. “Keyboard warriors are the least of our concern right now. I’m sure the FBI will have things under control. Isn’t that right, Agent Nettles?”
    Nettles nodded while running his hands through his hair. “They’ll be under constant surveillance.” He didn’t look quite as confident as he sounded.
    Porter raised a hand, waving away the idea of any potential problems. “See. They’ll be fine.”
    Lou turned to Miriam, noticing her acute distraction. “You okay?” he asked.
    Startled, Miriam looked up, from her phone. “Yes. Yes, I’m fine.”
    Nettles turned to her and folded his arms. “What did he say to you during that phone call?”
    Muffled commotion from outside Porter’s closed door made it clear that the precinct was in a frenzy upon learning about the Anderson family’s release.
    Miriam thought to herself, careful not to reveal too much. “In his phone call,” she said, “Phillip only repeated his earlier demands. Only this time, he said he wanted his whole family’s release—not just his parents.”
    “And he told you that when that happened, he’d release your daughter?” Nettles asked.
    “Yes,” Miriam said, nodding.
    Porter cut in. “And you believe him?”
    “What other choice does she have?” Lou asked, stepping in.
    “Ms. Castillo. You don’t have to do this alone. Let us help you,” Nettles said, reaching for her shoulder.
    Miriam looked up again. Their concerned faces didn’t inspire confidence. “For six years this man was able to do what he did under the nose of law enforcement. One year ago he shot and killed my partner during a routine stop. Now… my daughter’s life.” She stopped talking but managed to keep herself together. “If anything happens to Ana, I’ll never forgive myself. Ever.”
    Lou approached her, with a somber and