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said it. So if Toller tied one on, which was more often than not, Lex would sneak out and play street ball with the other kids. Wasn’t so hot at it at first, but Jordan talked them into letting the kid play, and he’s darned good at it now. Got a home run last night, Gabe said.”
    â€œI’ll probably still be in the area when your wife gets back, so if you don’t mind—”
    He heard the creak of stairs and looked up to see a tall young man coming toward them. Jordan Kendall had just turned eighteen, according to the neighbors, but Frank thought he looked older. He wore jeans and a tank top, and was barefoot. He was a younger, more handsome version of his father. He had dark circles under his blue eyes, but those eyes were watchful. He rubbed a hand over his short-cropped hair.
    â€œWelcome to the land of the living, Sleeping Beauty,” Kendall said to him, then turned to Frank. “Detective Harriman, this is Jordan.”
    â€œDetective?” Jordan’s eyes widened. “What’s going on?”
    â€œWe’re trying to locate one of your neighbors, Lexington Toller. Can you tell me when you last saw him?”
    He shrugged. “Lex? Last night, I guess. Is he in trouble?”
    â€œHis dad has been murdered, Jordy,” Mr. Kendall said.
    â€œMurdered?” He looked to Frank. “Someone murdered Mr. Toller?”
    â€œYes. We’re investigating that, but at the moment our first concern is for Lexington. What time was it that you saw him?”
    â€œI don’t remember—evening, I think. Maybe six or seven o’clock, something like that. I waved to him when he was going into his house. His aunt was over there.”
    Frank asked him a few questions about what the younger boy had been wearing, if he had seen anyone else at the house, when he had last talked to Lex. His answers fit those he had heard from others: Lex Toller had been wearing jeans and a white T-shirt, his aunt had been at the house, and he had last spoken to him when they had been playing softball in the street. Jordan had been the umpire for a game played by the younger kids.
    â€œDo you have any idea where he might go if he was scared?” Frank asked.
    â€œNo. I mean, you might ask my brother. He hangs out with him. To me, he’s just a little pest—you know, always tagging along.”
    â€œJordan!” Mr. Kendall said, frowning. “Lexie—”
    â€œHe’s okay, but he’s Gabe’s friend. You should ask Gabe.”
    â€œThanks, I will. Can you name any of his other friends?”
    Jordan shrugged. “He’s kind of shy. Ask Gabe.” He looked to his father. “Can I go now? I have a bunch of stuff I gotta do.”
    Kendall looked to Frank. “Sure,” Frank said.
    Frank watched the teenager speculatively as he hurried out of the house. He turned back to Kendall. “Did you know Mr. Toller’s wife?”
    â€œOh, gosh, that’s been what—three, four years ago now? Barely knew her then—just to nod to. Skinny blonde. Didn’t come out of the house much. Guess she was sick most the time.” Kendall shifted on his feet, then said, “I’m sorry about Jordy being so—abrupt, I guess you’d call it. Teenagers, you know, sometimes they’re scared and don’t want to show it. I know he didn’t seem upset, but—”
    â€œOh, no need to apologize. People take that kind of news in different ways. I think Jordan was upset.” He wasn’t sure it was about Toller, but he kept that to himself.
    Kendall smiled. “Well, yes. I’m glad you understand.”
----
    BEN SHERIDAN HEARD A TAPPING sound on the driver’s side window of his pickup truck, just a few inches away from his head. His neighbor’s fake fingernails, drumming on the glass. For a moment he was tempted to pretend that he didn’t hear it. With luck, he’d kill her as he backed out, and