ERIC GOLDEN

When Eric arrived at Number Five, the police officer was waiting at the empty bungalow. Eric unlocked the door and stood in the living room as the cop walked through the rooms calling for Iris and getting no answer.

“I did a deep clean last week,” Eric said when the cop returned to the living room. “Even refinished the floors. The new owners arrive this afternoon.” He looked worried. “Do you think their moving van will be able to get onto Azalea Court?”

The cop shrugged. “Depends on if we find Mrs. Blum.”

“What happens next, with your search?”

“The detectives assigned to the case are on their way. They’ll interview everyone and probably call in a canine unit.”

“Can neighbors help look for her?” Eric followed the police officer to the front porch.

“Maybe after the canine search. Sometimes they’ll bring in the other public safety folks, like the fire department. And a drone. You’ll have to ask the detectives about a civilian search when they get here.”

Eric locked the door of Number Five behind them.

“For now,” the officer said, “please wait in your house. The detectives will be here soon. They’ll need to interview everyone on the street.”

Eric did plan to comply with the officer’s instructions, after visiting Asher. But a different police officer stood at the front door of the Blum house, arguing with Lexi Blum. Lexi’s face was deep red and she waved her arms wildly, so Eric decided to check on her before detouring to the back door as Asher had requested. As he crossed the small yard between their houses, Lexi saw him and burst into angry tears.

“He won’t let me in,” she fumed. “I want to see my father.”

The officer kept one hand on the doorknob. “The detectives are on their way, and they’ll need to talk to Dr. Blum first,” he said to Eric. “As soon as they’re finished with the interview, Ms. Blum can enter.”

“It’s my house,” Lexi said. “My parents’ house. I grew up here. You can’t keep me out. My father needs me.”

“The detectives will want to interview you also, Ms. Blum,” he said, then turned to Eric. “And all the neighbors.”

Eric put his arm around Lexi’s shoulders. “It’s chilly out here. Come wait in my house until they’re ready for you.”

“It’s chilly and it’s going to rain, and my mom is out there somewhere while these clowns sit around and talk.” She turned to the cop. “Why aren’t you people looking for her?”

“The canine unit always searches first,” the cop explained. “Before a lot of people traipse over the ground, possibly disturbing evidence and adding their scents to confuse things. The dog and handler will be here soon.”

Eric guided Lexi toward his house. “We’ll sit by the window so we can keep track of what’s happening.”

She let Eric lead her into Number One.

“Tea?” He added water to the kettle without waiting for her answer.

Lexi sat by the window where she had a view of her parents’ front steps. Eric took his time in the kitchen, giving her time to pull herself together. He’d figure out a way to get her some time alone with her father, before the detectives interviewed her. Poor woman. She must be worried sick about her mom. Today was the first time Eric noticed the vertical frown lines around Lexi’s mouth and that her long braid was almost entirely gray.

He placed the mug of tea on the windowsill near Lexi and stood holding his cup.

“You want to talk?” he asked. “Or should I leave you alone?”

“Sit with me, please.” She warmed her hands in the tea steam. “Thanks for calling me this morning. I can’t believe my dad didn’t let me know Mom was missing.” She paused. “Well, I guess I can. He’s been odder than usual, recently.”

“Since your mother got sick?”

Lexi nodded. “I thought he was just worried about her. But now I’m not sure. What have you noticed, living next door?”

“Honestly, not much. I’ve hardly seen your mother in the past few weeks. Asher told me she has an aggressive kind of dementia. That she’s very confused, and it’s hard to carry on a conversation with her.”

Lexi nodded again. “I asked her last week about Thanksgiving. She and I always cook a traditional turkey dinner for the three of us. She didn’t seem to remember what Thanksgiving was.” Lexi dug in her pocket for a tissue. “Then Dad got on the phone and suggested we skip the holiday this year. Next, he cancelled my coming to dinner that night. I often have Friday night dinner with them . . .” Her voice trailed off. “I mean, I used to. He’s cancelled Shabbos dinner the past three weeks.”

“Any idea where she might have gone, if she wandered off?”

Lexi shrugged. “Recently she’s been fascinated by the old state hospital burial grounds. She asked me to walk there with her one day, about four weeks ago. It took forever with her cane and the uneven ground, but she persisted. Then she sat on the stone bench at the edge of the burial field. You know, the place where bodies of unclaimed patients are buried? She just stared, looking like she might cry. It was spooky.”

“Has your mother seen a doctor, a neurologist?”

“My father says he’s the only doc she needs.”

Eric could just imagine what Bea would say about that. His wife wouldn’t even write a script for an antibiotic if one of their kids had a screaming ear infection. Maybe things were different when Asher was in practice? Still, Lexi didn’t need to hear his doubts, so he smiled.

“One thing is for sure,” he said. “Asher Blum is one strong-willed guy.”