Before She Disappeared

Frankie tells Detective Lotham about the connection between Angelique and Livia Samdi. She suggests that Lotham talk to Frederic, and when he growls that he did talk to Frederic, Frankie says that he should have asked questions specific to teenage girls. Frankie reflects that her own questions are inspired by memories of her misspent youth.

In an interlude, Frankie opens up to Lotham a little, telling him that she is essentially nothing but her addiction and her vocation. They share a moment of mutual attraction, but Frankie retreats, warning him that she will inevitably disappoint him.

Frankie considers whether Livia and Angelique might have been romantically involved and why they disappeared within three months of each other. She wonders how many girls are included in the “us” of Angelique’s message. Human trafficking is seeming more likely. Angelique may be able to move around the city but can’t run away lest Livia or someone else be hurt as retaliation. As a natural caretaker, Angelique would be easily controlled that way.

Lotham appears at the end of Frankie’s shift at the bar. He looks tired, and Frankie recognizes that he is never entirely able to let down the burden of his job.