The parking lot was empty at this time of day because most of my neighbors were nine-to-fivers.
I picked up some clean clothes, toiletries, my iPad, a laptop, and downloaded three audio books. I also selected two dressy outfits and some nice shoes in case I had to do something fancy. Fortunately, I’d already cleaned my apartment, so it would be all right for a couple of weeks. Especially since I wouldn’t be there to mess it up.
I went next door to explain to Mrs. Cochran that I had a part-time job and needed to stay away for a couple of weeks. It wasn’t the first time I’d asked her to babysit for Pearson. She was more than agreeable, and I thought Pearson liked her better anyway.
My cell phone rang as I loaded the bags into the trunk. “Hello.”
“Hi, Meg, it’s Liz. Got your message and I
