Steve Fishman, Narrator

It's January 1990 in Mansfield, Ohio. Collier Landry Boyle is 11. It's been a few years since he's heard his father tell that story of wartime derring-do. A lot has changed. Collier's mother, Noreen, has just disappeared. His father, Jack, is in tears, telling friends that Noreen has walked out on the family, though he doesn't seem particularly interested in helping the police find her.

It's January 1990 in Mansfield, Ohio. Collier Landry Boyle is 11. It's been a few years since he's heard his father tell that story of wartime derring-do. A lot has changed. Collier's mother, Noreen, has just disappeared. His father, Jack, is in tears, telling friends that Noreen has walked out on the family, though he doesn't seem particularly interested in helping the police find her.

Collier, on the other hand, is in a panic. He's established a partnership of sorts with veteran police lieutenant Dave Messmore.

Collier, on the other hand, is in a panic. He's established a partnership of sorts with veteran police lieutenant Dave Messmore.

For Lieutenant Messmore, this wasn't just lip service. He was becoming fond of this odd, overly polite kid. Without his mother, Collier seemed all alone in the world, like he needed a parent. Did you feel like Collier was interested in making a relationship with you?

For Lieutenant Messmore, this wasn't just lip service. He was becoming fond of this odd, overly polite kid. Without his mother, Collier seemed all alone in the world, like he needed a parent. Did you feel like Collier was interested in making a relationship with you?

Right then, Collier needed someone to confide in. The story he'd been telling himself about his childhood had just been rewritten. And in Collier's memory, that childhood was idyllic. When he was growing up, his father was a Navy physician and the Boyles lived on a base in Virginia. A Navy base isn't fancy, but for Collier, it was a place of wonder.

Right then, Collier needed someone to confide in. The story he'd been telling himself about his childhood had just been rewritten. And in Collier's memory, that childhood was idyllic. When he was growing up, his father was a Navy physician and the Boyles lived on a base in Virginia. A Navy base isn't fancy, but for Collier, it was a place of wonder.

Planes landed so close it felt like they were right next door. He spent hours digging up old military relics in the backyard. And his parents, Jack and Noreen, doted on him. They made a home in which a little boy could forget himself completely, even when his imagination got the better of him. Like one day when he was watching a favorite cartoon.

Planes landed so close it felt like they were right next door. He spent hours digging up old military relics in the backyard. And his parents, Jack and Noreen, doted on him. They made a home in which a little boy could forget himself completely, even when his imagination got the better of him. Like one day when he was watching a favorite cartoon.

If Collier thought of his father as a hero, then his mother was his soulmate.

If Collier thought of his father as a hero, then his mother was his soulmate.

Noreen took Collier everywhere. From an early age, he'd join her for lunch dates with friends. He was her escort for plays and art openings, her style consultant when she picked out designer clothes or home decor or fancy jewelry.

Noreen took Collier everywhere. From an early age, he'd join her for lunch dates with friends. He was her escort for plays and art openings, her style consultant when she picked out designer clothes or home decor or fancy jewelry.

Clearly, Collier wasn't a scrappy little kid coming home with mud on his jeans. Noreen didn't even like him wearing jeans. She dressed him in slacks and polo shirts. She cooked him gourmet meals. He loved her cooking. And she made sure his manners were perfect.

Clearly, Collier wasn't a scrappy little kid coming home with mud on his jeans. Noreen didn't even like him wearing jeans. She dressed him in slacks and polo shirts. She cooked him gourmet meals. He loved her cooking. And she made sure his manners were perfect.

After all, as Noreen reminded Collier, they came from good stock, money, and glamour.

After all, as Noreen reminded Collier, they came from good stock, money, and glamour.

It wasn't just Noreen's side of the family. Collier's father, Jack, said that his ancestors were prominent bluebloods from Philadelphia's famous main line, which made Jack and Noreen a good match, both descendants of American Brahmins. They certainly looked the part. Jack was tall and handsome, with a mop of dark curly hair. Noreen was petite, blonde, beautiful.

It wasn't just Noreen's side of the family. Collier's father, Jack, said that his ancestors were prominent bluebloods from Philadelphia's famous main line, which made Jack and Noreen a good match, both descendants of American Brahmins. They certainly looked the part. Jack was tall and handsome, with a mop of dark curly hair. Noreen was petite, blonde, beautiful.