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I would do if something happened to one of them. I can’t imagine what Lexi is going through.”
    “Are you friends with Lexi?” Ace slipped a small notepad and pen from his pocket.
    Mandy shook her head. “I wouldn’t call it friends, but we do chat sometimes while our girls play in the sandbox. Lexi brings Anna there about the same time I bring my girls.”
    “Have you noticed anyone unusual hanging around the park?”
    “Not that I recall. Most everyone who comes brings children. Although, there is a nice elderly woman who comes by herself quite often. I think she just likes getting out of the house for a while. She seems lonely.”
    “Elderly lady? Do you know her name?”
    Mandy furrowed her brow. “Not really. I think its Mrs. Billows or Burrows or something like that. I’m not even sure where she lives. She hasn’t lived here long.”
    “How long has she been coming to the park?”
    “A few months I suppose. At least four or five.” Mandy gasped. “You don’t think she took Anna do you?”
    “I really couldn’t say at this point. We’re just trying to find out as much as we can about Anna’s schedule and who may have come in contact with her. Is there anyone else who may have seemed suspicious?”
    “No, not really…” Mandy eyes widened behind her glasses. “Although there was a car parked near the see-saw a few times. The only reason I noticed is because the motor was always running, so I didn’t think it was someone bringing their children to play. And after a few minutes the car would drive off.”
    Ace’s pen stilled on the notepad. “What kind of car? Make, model?”
    “I don’t know.” Mandy gave a sheepish half-grin. “I’m not good with that kind of thing. It was a dark green or dark blue mid-size car with tinted windows.”
    “Old or new?”
    Mandy shrugged. “Probably a newer model, though I really couldn’t say.”
    “Did you see the license plates?”
    “No, I’m sorry. I never thought to look.”
    “That’s fine. How many times did you see the car?”
    “Probably three or four. I noticed it the first time about a month ago. It’s not there every time though.”
    “Is there anything else you can think of that might be helpful?”
    “No, I’m sorry. I wish I could.”
    Ace snapped the notepad shut. He pulled a business card from his pocket and handed it to Mandy. “You’ve been a great help. If you do think of anything else please feel free to call me.” Ace shoved to his feet and headed for the door.
    “I will … and Agent Valdez?”
    Ace paused in the doorway and turned back to Mandy.
    “Please tell Lexi we are praying for her and for Anna’s safe return.” Tears smarted Mandy’s eyes. “The church will be holding a candlelight vigil for Anna tomorrow night. We’d love for Lexi to come. She needs to know how much the community is praying for her.”
    “Does Lexi attend services there?”
    Mandy shook her head. “No. I guess she doesn’t attend church unless she goes somewhere out of town. Faith Community is the only church we have here in Gator Bayou. Our community is small, you know. I’ve invited her before, but so far she hasn’t come. I wish she would. It would be good for her and for Anna.” Mandy sputtered another gasp. “I–I mean when you find her, that is.” Her shoulders slumped and she shook her head. “I can’t imagine going through something like this without God to lean on.”
    Emotion clogged his throat. Now that he knew the Lord on a personal level himself, he couldn’t imagine dealing with a situation like this without God either.
    Yet, he had.
    The day his brother was killed.
    Ace swallowed hard. “I’ll let Lexi know.”
    * * *
     
    Lexi rearranged Anna’s multi-colored, three-tiered toy shelf for the third time in as many hours: Snakes and Ladders, Candyland and Operation stacked on the bottom beside a neat row of picture books, three Barbies and a talking dollhouse on the middle shelf, plus the baby doll or two