12
The Tanner family home was one of many identical houses lining Mayflower's residential neighborhoods. Each kept in spotless condition, with lawns manicured as if trimmed with nail scissors. Alice walked up the Tanners' whitewashed driveway past a dark-blue Mercedes sedan.
The Tanners were wealthy and didn't seem to mind who knew. A push of the doorbell brought husband and wife to the door, which Alice felt was strange. Who answers the door as a pair? Parents eager to hear something; anything new about their daughter, perhaps. Or in the habit of opening the door to a cop, journalist, or a neighbor with a casserole and an offer of condolence.
"Mr. and Mrs. Tanner?" Alice asked.
"Yes?" Jack Tanner said.
"I don't know whether Mr. Kilbride mentioned it, but I'm in town working on behalf
