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police, Detective. Being asked the same questions, over and over? Wouldn’t that bother you? And now you show up, unannounced, in the middle of a workday, simply because I’m his mother? That stresses
me
.”
    “I’m truly sorry, ma’am. I figured I might catch you on break.”
    Martha Stoltz’s laughter was brittle. “Break? What’s that?”
    “Busy day, huh?”
    “Busy
life
, Detective Reed. This place is a small city, I can’t afford to be distracted. Please don’t take this the wrong way but I find it extremely off-putting having my son harassed.”
    “I’m not aware of any harassment, ma’am.”
    The clipboard shifted from one hand to the other. “I’ve watched enough of those police shows to know the attention always falls on someone the victim knew. But you’ve already covered everything with Rory.”
    Moe rocked on his heels. “If it was my kid, I’d feel the same way, ma’am. Unfortunately, the case is being reopened comprehensively.” Waiting for her reaction.
    None.
    “If Rory doesn’t want to talk to me, that’s his prerogative.”
    “But that would make you
more
suspicious,” she said. “It’s a Catch-22.”
    “Is he still at Pepperdine?”
    “Junior year—oh, no, don’t humiliate him by coming onto campus.”
    “Humiliate him?”
    “The police showing up in front of his peers? How would you like that?”
    Moe thought she was overreacting, and heck if that
didn’t
make him wonder.
    “Fair enough,” he said. “Where else can I reach him?”
    “He still lives at home, but I can’t give you an exact schedule. He’s an adult, Detective. Comes and goes as he pleases.”
    Moe said, “Does he still work at the Riptide?”
    “Riptide,” said Martha Stoltz. “There’s no
the.”
Her knowing look said he’d just failed a vital exam. “And no, he doesn’t work there. Shortly after Caitlin went missing, he had to leave.”
    “Had to?”
    “Anything that reminded Rory of Caitlin was difficult. He grieved, Detective.”
    “Where does he work now?”
    The clipboard pressed against her chest. “He registered with a temp agency. Wanted to concentrate on his studies and not be tied down to a rigid schedule.”
    “Is he temping for anyone currently?”
    Hesitation.
    “Mrs. Stoltz?”
    “I don’t want to put Rory’s job in jeopardy.”
    “By telling me who he works for?”
    “If you come looking for him while he’s on the job, he’ll be finished. He loves this job, Detective. The pay’s excellent and we have two more years of tuition, then law school if he chooses to go that way.”
    “Ma’am, I can call every agency in town until I find out what I need. Why don’t we just keep it simple and—”
    “Mason Book. Okay? He works for Mason Book as a
personal
assistant.” Delivering the news with resentment, but also some pride.
    “The actor,” said Moe, instantly aware of how stupid that sounded.
No, the podiatrist
.
    Martha Stoltz said, “Now you see why discretion is so important. Part of Rory’s job is shielding Mason from unwanted publicity.”
    Calling the star by his first name. Meaning Rory probably did. Good old L.A. informality. Or Martha Stoltz had been reading too many stupid tabloids, thought celebs were her buddies.
    They’re just like us
.
    No, they’re not
.
    He said, “Is Mason doing okay?”
    “With what?”
    “From what I understand, he’s had personal problems.” Kind of an understatement, given the actor’s drug issues and well-publicized suicide attempt last year.
    “They all have personal problems.” Martha’s eyes circled the banquet hall. “From the A list on down to the D’s, they’re—working here for fifteen years, I could tell you stories.” She stiffened. “But I won’t. And neither will Rory.”
    “Ma’am,” said Moe, “I couldn’t care less if Mason Book grows two additional heads or turns purple when he drinks. Same for any lister from A through Z. I’m here to find out what happened to a nice young woman