A.L. glanced at Rena. When she folded up her notebook, he stood. “I think we’re done,” he said.

Elaine stood, too. “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry I wasn’t completely forthcoming earlier. It’s just complicated. I try not to disappoint my daughter if I don’t have to.”

It was dumb to lie to the cops but A.L. somewhat understood the circumstances. She’d been attempting to avoid a confrontation with her daughter. He wasn’t always absolutely forthcoming with Traci. For example, she knew that he’d recently been to California on vacation but didn’t know that he’d gone with Tess.

“Did you tell Milo about the conviction?” Elaine asked.

A.L. shook his head. “Nope. Didn’t see the need. If he’d done a background check on you, he’d have found the information himself.”

“If I can keep it from my son-in-law, too, that would be best.”

“You don’t think Leah has told him?” Rena asked.

“We haven’t talked about it for years but the last time we did, she said that she hadn’t. She didn’t do that for me. Like I said, it was a hard time for her. She told me that she’d put it behind her. She told me that there was nothing to be gained from dusting off the drama and giving it air.”

“We’ll attempt to keep your confidences as much as we’re able,” A.L. promised, knowing better than to ever promise absolute confidentiality. Sometimes shit happened and every scab got scratched and ripped open.

“I appreciate that. But know this, Detectives. If it helps you find my granddaughter, I don’t care if it’s the lead story in the Bulletin.”

“Right. Good evening.” He and Rena walked back to their car.

When they got inside, Rena turned to him. “Well, I definitely didn’t see any cognitive failure. As my grandmother might have said, Elaine Broadstreet is full of piss and vinegar.”

“Agree.”

“I have to admit, I was a little surprised when you asked Elaine her opinion on the Whitmans’ marriage.”

“Yeah, I know. But there’s something about her that I like.”

“She’s a felon and she lied to us.”

“There is that.” A.L. flipped through his notes. “What do you think about this Steven Hanzel and the fund-raising site?”

“Not surprised,” she said. “They might need it.”

“Yeah.”

“Do you really think that Leah hasn’t told Troy about her mother’s small transgressions and subsequent time in jail?” Rena asked.

“I don’t know. And I’m not sure of a way to ask him without tipping our hand. I guess we could ask Leah if it comes to that,” A.L. said.

“Tough on a kid to suddenly get dumped into the foster system and have to change schools,” Rena said.