Toilet tanks did me in. From now on, I will investigate everything myself without Joe's help. I will just report the results. I will never let him know how I got my information. And I knew just where to start: Debbie's new house and her neighbors.

Next morning, I slept through my husband leaving for work, and didn't wake up for my children's breakfast. It was ten when I finally opened my eyes and dragged myself to the kitchen. After my nocturnal dumping trip, I felt out of place, as if I had just come in from Europe.

"Sleeping in today?" Larissa's voice had a sarcastic undertone to it. "You don't look good. You know, it's destructive for a woman of our age to spend nights out. Here, your cup of strong coffee."

"Thanks, Larissa. Did the girls behave this morning?"

"They were unusually quiet. I think your absence stressed them out. A daily routine is more important for children than anything else. They expected you to see them off, and as always, you weren't there for them. Have a piece of toast with your coffee. Don't just gulp it down. It's bad for your stomach." She gracefully put her fingers through her curly strawberry hairdo. She might be well into her sixties, but she insisted on looking forty-five.

I fixed myself toast and jam, watching how a secret thought was boiling inside the old lady like soda mixed with lemon juice.

"You know, Rachel," she finally gave up. "You know, I like to read before going to bed. I only read very good authors like Dan Brown. There is no point wasting your life on anything inferior. I mean horrors or mysteries."

I nodded in complete agreement.

"Though last night I was reading a very interesting historical novel about a great medieval artist. You wouldn't know his name, anyway.... Suddenly, I heard some noise. Heavy footfalls… It was two o'clock in the morning. Of course, I rushed to check on the girls. You know, I am a highly responsible and dependable person. And I got a glimpse of you, in this yellow jacket, getting into your red car and driving away." She wrinkled her lips disapprovingly.

"So?"

"It's not any of my business, of course, but I believe Alexander noticed your absence." Burning with curiosity, Larissa bent over the table and knocked down her cup with her skinny, sharp elbow.

"I'll talk to him." I stood up abruptly and left, leaving the poor old lady to brew in her own sauce.

Debbie's current address was written in my memory in huge letters, and yet, being an exemplary assistant, I gave my boss an unanswered phone call, and only then did I set off for my trip.

It took me about an hour to get there. Why Deborah got a job in Center City to drive from New Jersey remained a mystery to me. The town's main street had a shopping center and a used car dealership. I stopped at McDonald's to use a bathroom and to grab something to eat. Larissa had an amazing ability to poison mealtime, and after a couple of skipped breakfasts, the whole idea of having a grandmotherly figure in the family didn't look so wise anymore. But try to tell this to Alexander! To have a live-in grandma is part of a healthy and happy childhood, and nothing could change his mind. I went in, munched down chicken salad, and followed it with soft ice cream to get my daily sugar fix. No matter what they say, fast food is a mood-altering substance, and it always works for me in stressful times.

Pulling in, I saw a couple of trucks and minivans. Right after me, a decrepit maroon Honda had pulled in and parked next to my Jag. The Honda's driver hadn't gotten out, just pulled down the windows.