by Dan Dillard
*****
It took less than five minutes to get to the Edison home. There was nothing to indicate a tragedy, not even a single piece of yellow police tape on the property. The house looked quite happy if that was possible. She supposed the investigation was complete. Forensics was a two-dollar word in that part of the country and unless state police were brought into the mix it was likely nothing would happen.
She parked her car and took a deep breath before opening the door. Cautiously, Dana walked up the steps to meet the little girl’s mother, Jeannie Edison, who must have seen her coming as she was standing on her front steps. Dana was completely unsure of what to say.
“I’m so sorry,” was what came out of her mouth.
Jeannie Edison stood smiling. Her eyes were deep blue from crying. The two didn’t know each other well, but living in a small town, each knew of the other.
“Don’t be sorry yet, honey. Our girl is fine. I can feel it,” she said.
“You’re right,” Dana said wiping a tear. “I’m sure she is.”
“Come on in.” Jeannie led her through the front hall into the kitchen and offered her a seat at their breakfast table.
“I have coffee.”
“Oh, no. Not right yet anyway,” Dana said.
“I’m gonna have some. I didn’t sleep much last night,” Jeannie said and her look was distant but the smile remained.
“The police were here late last night. Don’t know if they found anything. At least they didn’t say they had.”
“I’m sure something will turn up,” Dana said and put a hand on Jeannie’s wrist. “Did y’all take Lily anywhere yesterday?”
“No. We went to bed night before last and when we woke up, she ‘as gone. Nothin’ else was touched.”
“No locks left unlocked? No broken windows?”
“Hon, we live in the sticks. Nearest neighbor is two miles east. I don’t know if we ever made it a point to lock up. Sounds stupid right now I suppose.”
“No ma’am. Don’t you be ashamed for trusting. You couldn’t have known this would happen.”
They sat silent for a moment. The quiet was finally broken by the sound of Jeannie sipping coffee.
“Where’s your husband?” Dana asked.
“Frank? He’s out looking for her. He’s been gone all night,” Jeannie said. “Soon as the sheriff’s deputy left. I’m stayin’ home in case the phone rings.”
“Does Lily have her own bedroom?”
Jeannie nodded.
“Mind if I take a look?”
“I don’t mind.”
