Ellen Lang hires Elvis Cole to investigate the disappearance of her husband Mort and her son Perry and to find them. Ellen is completely dependent and subservient when she comes to see Elvis. She has depended on her husband her whole life. They were childhood sweethearts in Kansas and she followed him to Hollywood when he wanted to work in the film industry. Although Ellen knew that Mort was having an affair, she stayed with him. She busies herself cooking and cleaning throughout the beginning of the book. She does not want her husband to get into trouble even after her home is ransacked.