Elaine was no shrinking violet. She was pissed and she wanted Rena to know it. A.L. didn’t worry that Rena would lose her cool. She was too seasoned for that and had been baited by those much more skilled. “So, Elaine, we’re to understand that your previous statement stands without correction,” A.L. said, his tone friendly. “You handed her off to Kara Wiese and you signed the sheet on the clipboard by the office before you left.”

“All of that is still correct. I know that I didn’t mention signing the sheet initially but I’ve been over it a thousand times in my head. I did that. I’m sure of it.”

“Okay,” A.L. said. “Do you happen to know Tanya Knight?”

“Of course. Emma was previously in her room.” She paused. “I know the difference between Kara Wiese and Tanya Knight if that’s what you’re getting at.” She was back to being pissed.

She reached for a candle that was on an end table. Turned it. Just so. Took a nice long look out her front window.

They waited.

“I do actually have a correction to my statement,” Elaine said finally, looking at Rena. “But I’m guessing you maybe already know that.”

Eight

“We’re listening,” A.L. said.

Elaine sighed. Settled back on the couch, as if this was going to be lengthy explanation and she wanted something solid behind her. “After I left Emma at the day care, I drove to the Wildwind’s Casino.”

A.L. knew the place. It was twenty-five miles west of Baywood. His dad and his uncle Joe went there at least once a month. Said it was for the buffet, but A.L. didn’t think so.

“I got there shortly after 8:00. I left by 9:30 so that I could get to work by 10:00,” Elaine added.

“That’s a pretty exact recollection,” Rena said.

“It’s what I do three or four days a week. Not that hard to remember.”

A.L. considered the information. It added up. Milo had said that she was a gambler. Said that she generally arrived at work about ten. “Why did you lie the first time?” he asked.

Elaine looked at Rena. “You asked the question in front of my daughter. She...hates that I gamble. We’ve had words about it. So I hide it from her. I didn’t think it would be a big deal.”

A.L. looked around. “This is a real nice house in a real nice neighborhood. You must do pretty well at the casino.”