She looked at it quickly. Then at the Whitmans. “Amber Alert is out. Social media requests for volunteers to search are circulating. We’ve got resources outside that will organize the people who show up.”

“I want to search,” Troy said.

“That’s fine,” A.L. said. “But I think one of you needs to be home. In the event that Emma somehow winds up there. Can you do that?” he asked, looking at Leah.

“Of course,” she said.

“We’ll send an officer with you. You won’t be left alone.”

Leah simply shrugged. A silent whatever.

A.L. understood. She wanted her kid found. Nothing else was really important.

There was a knock on the classroom door. Alice Quest stuck her head inside. “Kara Wiese is here. And I just saw Elaine Broadstreet pull into the parking lot.”

Probably better to keep those two apart for now. Their recollection of the morning events appeared to be very different. “Thank you,” A.L. said. Alice nodded and shut the door.

He motioned Rena to go outside before turning to the Whitmans. “Excuse us, please.”

“I want to talk to my mother,” Leah said.

“That’s fine,” he said. “Just give us a minute.”

Once he and Rena were in the hallway, he said, “I’ll take Kara Wiese. You’ve got the grandma. Let’s try to figure out what really happened.”

Two

Kara Wiese was early thirties, dressed in workout clothes, with her dark shoulder-length hair pulled back into a ponytail.

A.L. stuck out his hand. “I’m Detective McKittridge. Thank you for coming back to the day care so quickly.”

“Of course. I just can’t believe this,” she said. “Emma is so sweet.” She paused. “Not that all the kids aren’t great. But, you know, some are just really special. Emma is one of those. You know what I mean?”

He did. Traci had been that kind of little kid. She’d sparkled. “Smart?” A.L. asked, motioning for Kara to enter an empty classroom.

“Very. She’s already reading.”

Maybe she could read street signs. Or signs on buildings. That could be helpful.

“What time did you arrive this morning, Kara?” A.L. asked. He took a seat on one of the small chairs. He knew he probably looked ridiculous but he didn’t want to tower over Kara, who was barely five feet. She also sat.

“About 6:15. We open at 6:30 and I always want time to start a pot of coffee.”

“Was anybody else here when you arrived?”

Kara nodded. “Alice was in the office. She’s usually here when I arrive.”

“But she doesn’t start the coffee?” A.L. asked.

Kara smiled. “She doesn’t drink coffee. I don’t get that,” she added, laughing nervously but stopping suddenly, as if she was embarrassed that the sound had come from her at a time like this. Her hands were clasped together, so tightly that her fingers were white.