"Behind the barn."
"What barn?"
"The one with the red door."
Cole's mouth went dry.
"How did you see it?"
"I was riding my bike."
"Why were you out there?"
Harper shrugged.
"I ride by the creek."
The creek trail connected Birch Lane to several old farm roads.
Children had used it for decades despite parents repeatedly telling them not to.
"You saw the same van?"
"Yes."
"You're sure?"
"Same dent."
Harper paused.
"And the sticker."
"What sticker?"
"Little green tree."
Welden wrote faster.
"On the back window?"
Harper nodded.
"Did you see Lily?"
"No."
"Did you see the men?"
Harper hesitated.
"One."
"Where?"
"He came out of the barn."
Cole felt the air leave his lungs.
"Red door?"
"Yes."
He looked at Welden.
The detective had gone pale.
She reached for her radio.
"I need units to hold near the Garrett property, Millstone Road. Do not approach. Repeat, do not approach. Possible location connected to Ashford case. Start warrant process immediately."
A voice replied through the radio.
Harper looked frightened by the sudden activity.
Cole turned back to her.
"You're okay."
She looked at him.
"Did I do bad?"
"No."
Cole's answer came so quickly that Welden looked toward him.
"No, Harper. You did exactly right."
Harper looked down.
Cole asked, "Why didn't you tell somebody before?"
"I did."
The words were quiet.
Cole's stomach tightened.
"Who?"
"My mama."
"What did she say?"
Harper picked the thread again.
"She said I was making stories."
"Did you tell anybody else?"
"Police."
Welden stopped moving.
"When?"
"Tuesday."
"Where?"
"Our street."
Welden stepped closer.
"What happened?"
Harper looked at Cole instead of the detective.
"I told one I saw something."
"And?"
"He said go inside."
Cole felt anger move through him.
Not explosive anger.
Something colder.
"He said let the adults handle it."
Welden's face changed.
Harper continued.
"He didn't look at me."
For several seconds nobody spoke.
A seven-year-old child had tried.
Her mother had been too exhausted to hear her.
A police officer had been too busy to listen.
Perhaps other adults had done the same.
And now, four days after Lily disappeared, Harper had ridden her small purple bicycle several miles in brutal heat because she had decided she needed to find someone else.
Someone who might listen.
Cole looked at her.
"Why me?"
Harper looked confused.
"Why did you come over to me?"
She studied his vest.
Then pointed to a patch near his chest.