Sisse could poke holes in his logic — (logic was a strong word for it, but Lester couldn't see it that way right now) — all she wanted; he wasn't going to believe it. Lester gripped the arm of the couch as if it would bolster him. "I don't know," he said, "She is missing, after all — I understand why the Bixbys believe it."

But he wasn't going to give up on her. Sloane would never forgive him if he did; he'd hold out hope for her, and he'd do whatever he could to find her. Besides — they'd been friends since they were infants. Lester felt like he'd just know if she was dead, like something in his body would recognize it — and he didn't feel that now.

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