Chapter 5. Abigail knocked on the door of the house. A moment later, a woman answered,

"'Hello, dear,' the lady said kindly, pushing the screen door open. How can I help you?'

The lady was older than Abigail's mother, and not as old as her grandmother. Abigail was

training herself to make detailed observations of everyone

she encountered, and these seemed to be the easiest points of comparison, though Abigail was forced

to admit that she could not put a precise number to the age, in part because she did not actually

know how old either her mother or her grandmother were. Good afternoon, ma'am,' Abigail said with a serious expression.

"'Have you seen this cat?'

She produced the photograph of Ezekiel Hightower, holding it with both hands

so the woman could easily examine the picture but not feel obliged to take it from her.

She felt sure that Karen Hightower would not want a lot of fingerprints on her

picture. The woman squinted at the photograph. Oh dear, she said, is that the cat from the

posters? Yes, ma'am, Abigail replied. I'm very sorry, sweetheart, the lady said. Is it your cat?

No, ma'am, Abigail said in a brisk professional tone.

"'I'm just helping with a search.'

"'Oh!' the lady blinked, smiling.

"'That's kind of you.'

She pointed at Timothy, standing behind Abigail in one step down.

"'What about him?

Is he helping, too?'

"'No, ma'am,' Abigail said with a slight grimace.

"'He's a consultant.'

...