Detective Norton pounded the table angrily before running to the precinct IT department and asking them to put a trace on that cell phone. He had also recognized that it was a local number, and that meant two things: First, Miranda had played him like a fool to buy time, and second, she didn't care anymore if she was found, so whatever she was planning to do, she had unfortunately done it already.

He gave the number to one of the technicians and waited impatiently as they began their search.

“Come on, move it, that call won't last a lifetime!” he said, trying to put a rush to it before getting back to talking to Nick. “We're going to find her, Mr. Bennet, don't worry... Mr. Bennet? Nick!”

But Nick had had to put the phone aside to hold Valeria, whose legs had failed her when she heard Miranda's last words.

“Loss? What—what do you mean?”

“Well, someone you love has just died. Isn't it obvious?” Miranda asked as if Valeria were stupid. “Why else would I give you condolences, you idi