“Why, you’re just as pretty as she said you were,” Grace said.

“Well, thank you,” Rena said. “And you are?”

“Grace and Jim Stern. In all the years we’ve been here, there’s never been nothing like tonight,” Grace said. “A child. It’s just horrible.”

“It is,” Rena said. “And given that your house is located right next door to the day care, we wanted to stop by and ask a few questions.”

“We’re happy enough to help,” Jim said. “Considered joining the other people who were going to search but decided it wouldn’t be helpful to have a couple of old people falling down and getting in the way. Earlier we had a nice young gentleman and his dog look around our backyard just in case, I guess, that the little girl had come this direction.”

“Were you around this morning, say about 7:15?” Rena asked.

“We get up about 5:30,” Grace said. “Have coffee and breakfast by 6:00. So, yes, we were here. I made some banana bread this morning so I was probably in the kitchen. What were you doing, Jim, at 7:15?”

“I was downstairs, fixing that old toaster.”

“We’re just curious if you saw anything unusual at or near the day care?” Rena said.

“Unusual how?” Grace asked.

Rena shrugged. “Anything that might have seemed different. Different people. Different noises. Different smells. Anything that might have struck you as odd.”

“I can’t think of anything, but then again, we weren’t paying attention. The day care has been there for years. It creates some traffic on the street, which we weren’t crazy about in the beginning, but we enjoy watching the little ones on the playground, and sometimes they take them for walks right past our house. They got a rope that they have the littler ones hang on to and when they get a little older, the kids hold hands. It reminds us of when our kids were young.”

A.L. could easily imagine the scene. Lots of innocence had been lost tonight.

Rena pulled a card from her pocket. “If you think of anything, I’d appreciate a call.”

“Will do,” Grace said, reaching for it. “Tell your mother-in-law we said hello.”

“I will.”

They walked down the steps. When they were far enough not to be overheard, A.L. said, “You really can’t go anywhere in this town that somebody doesn’t know at least one of the Morgans.”

“They were sweet. I’m sure Gabe’s mom will remember them. I swear she’s stayed in touch with every buyer or seller she ever worked with.”

“Let’s go to the sandwich shop. I doubt he’s very busy. Nobody can get down the street.”

“His business is called Panini Playground,” Rena said, with one eyebrow raised. “You think that maybe affects his business?”

“Yeah, I’ve heard better. Maybe it’s a play off the learning center.”