The Woman in the Security Footage
We began at the resort where Noah had seen the woman.
The manager, Diane, listened patiently while we explained the situation.
When Noah showed her the photograph, her expression changed.
She led us into a small office behind the front desk and reviewed security footage from the previous weekend.
For nearly an hour, we watched guests move through the lobby and courtyard.
Then Diane stopped the recording.
The woman appeared on the screen.
Same hat.
Same dress.
Same man beside her.
She walked calmly through the courtyard, smiling as though she had no reason to hide.
I pressed my knuckles against my mouth.
“You know her?” Diane asked carefully.
I could barely speak.
“I thought I did.”
The resort had no booking information for her. She and the man might have been visiting another guest or simply walking through the property.
For the next day, Noah and I searched the town.
