“Good. She was already at the day care when I started but we’ve been teaching together since day one. She’s really good with the kids. I tower over her so I suspect we look ridiculous when we’re together but it’s always been a good match. I’m pretty sure that’s what she would say, too.”

Rena leaned forward. “Elaine Broadstreet, Emma’s grandmother, says that she dropped Emma off at the day care yesterday into Kara Wiese’s care. Kara is denying that. Would you have any reason to think that she would be lying about that?”

“Of course not. Why would she? If that had happened, she would have brought Emma back to our classroom.”

“Have you and Kara had any conversation about this?” A.L. asked.

“We saw each other last night. Both of us volunteered to search. But she didn’t tell me what to say, if that’s what you’re suggesting.”

“Not suggesting anything,” A.L. said, holding up his hand. “Just trying to get an understanding of the situation. Would you say that you and Kara are friends?”

“Yes. We’re coworkers. We’re friends. We both like California rolls and chocolate cake. I’m really not sure what else I can tell you except that we’re all just sick about this.”

A.L. stood. “We are, too. Can you tell me what time you got to work yesterday morning?”

“I start at 7:30.”

“I know that’s your start time. But were you early yesterday? On time? Late?”

“I’m not generally late. Not generally much early, either,” she added with a quick smile. “I usually arrive about 7:25. I park and walk into the classroom, ready to work.”

“No stopping in the break room for a cup of coffee? Or to put away your lunch?” Rena asked.

Claire shook her head. “Don’t drink coffee and the cook at the day care is really good. I eat lunch there.”

“So you’re confident that you were in your classroom by 7:30?” A.L. followed up.

“Yes.”

“Was Kara in the room?” he asked.

“Of course.”

“Do you remember how many kids?”

Claire’s bracelets clinked as she used her fingers to silently count. “Six or seven, I think. That’s pretty normal.”

“Did you see Emma Whitman?” Rena asked.

“No.”

“Did Kara leave the classroom at any time in the morning?” Rena asked.

“I’m sure she did. She probably used the restroom. There’s one in the classroom for the kids but we don’t generally use that one. There’s one for staff in the hallway.”

Rena had seen that when they’d searched the building. “Do you recall when she might have used the restroom?”

Claire shook her head.

“When she leaves for the restroom, does somebody come in to cover her absence?” A.L. asked. “So that you maintain the right teacher-to-student ratio.”