“Your sister didn’t get into jams in college.”

“If she did, she certainly wouldn’t have told you.”

Mom thought a moment. “And she’s not calling why? She’s just disappeared with this girl?”

I tried not to wince at the “D” word. Because disappeared exactly described the situation. “Chloe lives in the Arizona desert. Off the grid. No cell towers.”

“California, not Arizona.”

I remembered Sophie had encouraged me to find out if Mom knew anything else about Wendy’s trip. “You seem certain.”

“Don’t you think I know where my daughter is?”

The sentence hung in the air, because, of course, nobody knew where her daughter was.

She finally looked away. I finished quickly. “Can you tell me what you know about Wendy’s schedule? Exactly where she was going and maybe why? Was she traveling from place to place? Do you know who she was meeting?”

“Your father would be the one to answer, but I’m certainly not going to ask him for details. He’ll know something’s up.”

“Of course.”

“Your story will work for a day or two, maybe a few more.”

“Hopefully that’s all we’ll need.”

Mom sat back and stared out at the water beyond the kitchen windows. “Please don’t think I like lying. I’m angry your sister hasn’t called to hash it out.”

I added the last thing I’d decided to tell her. “While we’re waiting to hear, let’s not tell anybody outside the family what’s going on. When the subject comes up, which it will when Gracey Group’s staff starts asking questions, just say it’s a normal business trip that got extended.”

“Suddenly you’re in charge.”

“I don’t have to be. But don’t you think you have your hands full right now?”

She gave a curt nod. “And we’re lucky you’re here. I know. Thank you.” She checked her watch, then got to her feet. “Let me wake up your father. He’ll want to see you. I told him you’d come by this morning.”

“I’m going shopping for groceries. Any ideas what the girls eat?”

“I made macaroni and cheese one night, and they asked for seconds.”

“White flour. Cheese. It’s a pattern.”

“Some children are born picky. Wendy was. You weren’t.”

We headed for the master suite, and I told her about the problems with the front door and asked her to suggest a locksmith.

“We have a handyman who takes care of all property repairs. He can install a new lock and take care of anything else you’ve noticed. I imagine Wendy just didn’t want to bother us.”

I did not roll my eyes, but they nearly crossed from the effort. “I’d appreciate that. It’s not safe the way it is.”

“We have groups who travel through about this time of year and leave town with more than they came with. Especially in places like Tropicana where so many snowbirds aren’t back yet. I’ll try to get him there this afternoon.”

We chatted until we got to the door. I waited outside until Dad was awake and propped up in bed. Then I scooped up the gift bag and went in to see him.