Derek’s leather dress shoes were gone, along with his heavy winter coats and three big suitcases from the top shelf.

“He emptied out his wardrobe,” Bell said, jotting a quick note on his pad.

“Four days ago he told me his mother had lined up a reliable babysitter,” I said.

Bell turned back to me, his face blank.

“Your mother-in-law’s name?”

“Patricia Nolan,” I said.

“She lives fifteen minutes from here on Pine Street.”

We went back to the kitchen, where Lily sat quietly on a chair at the table holding her bear.