"She probably forgot to mention it. Her mind's completely shot from all the crap she takes. The note said she'd decided to go see her mother and she'd be back in three days. We thought she'd show up, but a week passed and Mom started getting worried. That's when she talked to the police."

"You saw the note yourself?"

"Sure. She'd left it on the bed."

"And the handwriting was hers?"

"As far as I could tell."

"Did your mother save it?"

"I doubt it. Why would she do that?"

"Could you ask her please?"

"Right now?"

"I'd appreciate it." She left the living room and returned to her mother's bedroom, where I could hear her insistent questioning and Medora's foggy response. I heard drawers being opened and shut. Moments later, Justine returned. "I don't believe this. She says she saved the note because she didn't want Social Services blaming her when Charisse took off. She thought if they ever asked, she could show the note as proof that Charisse left of her own accord."

"Amazing. That's great. I'd love to see it."

"Well, that's just it. She can't remember where she put it. She thought it was in the chest of drawers, but it's not there now. Knowing her, it could be anywhere. She's such a slob."

"Maybe we can look again when she's on her feet."

Justine gave me a look. "Yeah, right. Listen, I need to get back to the girls. Cornell must be home by now, but just in case. Let me turn off some lights and I'll walk you to your car. It's dark as pitch out there."

I waited while she double-checked, making sure the back door was locked. She turned off the lights, except for one in the hall. She tested the thumb lock on the front door, flipped it to the locked position, and pulled it shut behind her. She took her keys from her coat pocket and crossed the yard to her Ford sedan, which was parked in the driveway behind Dolan's car.

"Did you guys go down and have your fingerprints taken?"

"Edna went Monday, but I haven't had a chance. I'll pop in tomorrow while I'm out running errands."

"What about the others?"

"Adrianne said she'd try later in the week."

"What about Ruel and Cornell?"

"Don't look at me. I don't want to be the one to nag them. It's not my job."

"You're right. Thanks anyway. I'll bug them myself."