Hide and Snoop (The Odelia Grey Mysteries) by Sue Ann Jaffarian Page B

and her clothes were scrubbed and fresh earlier in the week, then declined after that.”
    Racel nodded. “Monday was the last day I was here, until today. My mother had surgery and I spent the last few days with her, so I couldn’t watch the kid. I’m on break right now, otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to stay with Lily last week.”
    “Makes sense. Erica didn’t bring Lily into the office until Tuesday.”
    I opened the closet and found nothing. The drawers also produced nothing, and I mean nothing. It seemed that Erica had packed all of Lily’s things, every last one of them, as if she didn’t expect the little girl to return. But then, maybe Lily only arrived at Erica’s with the clothes on her back and those in her small suitcase. If her mother only planned on parking her here a few days, that would make sense.
    “Did Lily’s mother ever call to check on Lily?” I asked.
    “Not that I know of.”
    “And you didn’t see Erica’s sister drop Lily off?”
    Racel narrowed her eyes and studied me like a stain that needed removing. “What’s with all the questions?”
    I shrugged. “Just curious. I’ve been watching Lily since Tuesday and haven’t heard a peep from or about her mother.”
    Racel considered my comment. From the way her shoulders relaxed, I could tell she thought my explanation plausible. “Lily was just here one day when I got to work,” she explained. “Erica called me the night before and asked if I’d come in early. When I got here she told me I’d be looking after Lily while she was at work. Said she’d pay me for the extra hours.” Racel ran her hand across the dresser, checking for dust. There was none. The house was spotless. “I’m always eager to earn extra money when I’m off from school.”
    Racel got down on her knees, lifted the bed skirt, and looked under the bed. “Hey, this might be what you’re looking for.” She lowered her body until she was flat on the carpet and reached under the bed, sticking her head under the flounce. When she emerged, she had something small and soft in her hand. It was a stuffed animal of some kind. Once Racel got to her knees, she held it out to me. “I did see Lily hanging on to this.”
    I took the stuffed animal and studied it. It was a small, light brown bear wearing a ratty pink tutu. It appeared cheap, like a toy from one of those claw vending machines or a prize won at a carnival for breaking a balloon with a dart.
    “Thanks,” I told Racel as she got to her feet. “I’m sure she’ll be happy to see it.”
    As we started back down the hall, I tried to keep the conversation going. “This is such a large and lovely house. Does Erica live here alone?”
    “As far as I know. Sometimes her boyfriend stays over, but not often.”
    My ears perked up. “Oh, you mean Mark?” I threw the question out as bait, hoping the tone of my voice made it more of a casual comment than an inquiry.
    Racel looked surprised at my comment, then cocked her head in thought. “I’m not sure what his name is and I’ve never met him, but I can always tell when he’s been here.” She rolled her eyes before adding, “The toilet seat is always left up in the guest bathroom and there’s shaving cream and hair in the sink. That’s probably why he doesn’t use her bath. Erica’s a neat freak.”
    “She’s tidy at work, too.”
    We were closing in on the front door. In a few minutes I’d have to leave, and without many answers. “Do you mind if I use the bathroom before I take off?” I asked, looking for a reason to linger. “I promise I’ll put the seat down when I’m done.”
    At the request, Racel’s attitude changed, and she looked about to shove me out the door. A second later she relaxed again and smiled at my little joke. “I’m gonna hold you to that,” she said. We headed back down the hallway.
    There was nothing of note in the guest bath. I used the facilities, and while water was running in the sink, I quickly opened