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The toilet flushed Lila took forever putting herself back together again Rustle, pop, snap I heard her jiggle the handle when the toilet continued to run She washed her hands, the faucet squeaking as she turned it off How long could she drag this out? Finally, she moved toward the bathrooone, footsteps receding toward the living rooood-bye sounds, and the front door closed

I stayed exactly where I was until I heard Moza in the hall

"Kinsey? They’re gone Are you still here?"

I let out the breath I’d been holding and stood up, shoving nified way topaid for this I peered out of the shower door,sure I hadn’t been set up in some elaborate ruse The house felt quiet except for Moza, as opening the broo, "Kinsey?"

"I’

I went out into the hall Moza was so thrilled we hadn’t been caught that she couldn’t even get ured I better get out of there before they ca ten more years off my projected life-span

"You’re terrific," I murmured "I’m indebted for life I’ll buy you dinner at Rosie’s"

Iout the back door before I exited It was fully dark by then, but I made sure the street was deserted before I stepped out of the shadow of Moza’s house Then I walked the half-block toward ho to er It’s fun to snoop in people’s dresser drawers Ihouses if law enforcement hadn’t beckoned toto take control of a situation I didn’t like and the surge of power iddy with relief I wasn’t sure what she was up to, but I intended to find out

Chapter 18

When I was safely back in ain, I took out the credit-card receipt I’d lifted from Lila’s shoe box The date on it was May 25 and the store was located in Las Cruces The credit-card imprint read "Delia Sily penned in a phone number I hauled out my telephone book and looked up the area code for Las Cruces Five-oh-five I picked up the receiver and dialed the nu on the far end just what I intended to say

"Hello?" Man’s voice Middle-aged No accent

"Oh hello," I said sht speak to Delia Si on"