“Um...no. Why would you think that?”

“One of your coworkers thought you might be working on securing financing.”

She shrugged. When it didn’t appear that she was going to offer anything more, Rena said, “I’ve reviewed your phone records. A few months ago, there were numerous calls to the Baywood Bank. Can you explain who those calls were to and what the purpose was?”

Kara smiled. “Oh, a few months ago. I’m sorry, I spaced out for a minute. I guess I’m more tired than I thought. We were considering refinancing a few months ago but got busy and dropped it.”

Again, it made sense, thought Rena. She and Gabe had gotten a mortgage just two years ago. If refinancing was anything like financing, it could be a pain in the butt. You had to get tax returns and bank statements and your employer had to verify your employment.

“Did you work with anyone in particular at the bank?” Rena asked.

“I’m sorry, I don’t recall. I think I might have talked to a couple different people,” Kara added. “You know, I don’t think banks actually want you to refinance. Otherwise they would make it easier.”

“You are aware that Elaine Broadstreet has said that she handed Emma off to you,” A.L. said.

“Yes.”

“You’ve indicated that this could not have happened, that you were in your classroom until after 7:30, when Claire Potter arrived,” he continued.

“Yes.”

“Is there anyone at the day care, another teacher, a parent, a vendor, anybody that you can think of that she might have thought was you?”

Kara appeared to be considering the information. “I’ve been teaching in the same room since I started. So there are parents of three-and four-year-olds that I don’t know. So, I’m sorry, I don’t think I can answer that question very well.”

“No problem,” A.L. said easily.

Kara glanced at her watch. “If there’s nothing else, I think I’d better try to catch some sleep. I’m afraid I got very little last night and with being out in the sun all day, I’m pretty much tapped out.”

“That will do it,” A.L. said. “Thank you for your time.”

“Of course.”

“Do you think it’s too late to go see Leah?” Rena asked once they were back in their vehicle. “It’s a little past 8:30.”

“I doubt she’s sleeping. And we told her that we’d check in every day.”

“You’re right,” Rena said. “Let’s go.”

When they knocked fifteen minutes later, Special Agent Monty Connell answered the door. “Detectives,” he said.

“We need to talk to Leah,” A.L. said.

“Anything we should know?” the agent asked.

“Nope. Just following up on some missing info,” A.L. said.

“Okay. Have a seat,” Monty said, motioning them towards the living room. “I’ll get her.”