“Yes, ma’am.”
She extended her hand. “Lorie Angle. I haven’t explained to my daughter that Eliza’s been hurt. I’d like to keep it that way if possible.”
“I’ll do my best. Maybe you and I could talk first.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “I don’t know if there’s much I can tell you. My daughter became friends with Eliza when we moved here. Small towns can be tricky, but Eliza was kind to her. They had a couple of sleepovers.”
“Did you ever socialize with the Brandenbergs?”
“Oh no. They were too preoccupied with their son to spend time with us. By the time we moved here, they were almost conspiracy theorists about what had happened to their son.” She glanced over her shoulder as if checking on her daughter. “I wondered if we should let Anna play with Eliza, but Chuck said it was important for Eliza to have time with a good family.” She shook her head. “Can you imagine putting it like that?”
Todd made a mental note. “Why did he think they weren’t a good family?”
“It was clear to see that Eliza was neglected. She lost weight the last couple of months they lived here.”
“Maybe because she was grieving her brother.”
“At first I thought that, but then Anna asked if she could take extra lunch to school so that Eliza could have some. Of course, I said yes.”
“Did you report any of this to the police or Division of Children and Family Services?”
“No, we talked about it, but it seemed like as long as we could keep an eye on her and she wasn’t being physically abused, we should wait.” She looked at him with hooded eyes. “Did we make the wrong choice?”
“I don’t know. Did Eliza have a cell phone?”
“Not at first, then the month before they moved, she did.”
“Did she say where she got it?”
“I didn’t think to ask. I just assumed it came from her parents.” She worried a hangnail on her thumb. “I guess that was naïve.”
“Maybe. Do you have the number?”
“Anna will.”
“Did Anna stay in touch with Eliza after the Brandenbergs moved?”
Mrs. Angle shook her head. “It surprised me. The girls had spent so much time together the months before the move. Then within a week, it was like they’d never been friends. Anna spent two weeks crying and then moved on.”
“Did she give you a reason for the change in their friendship?”
“No.”
Todd considered what he’d learned. “This has been very helpful. If I could talk to your daughter for a couple minutes, I’d be grateful.”
“All right. She’s in our backyard.” Mrs. Angle led the way down the hallway, pausing to straighten a painting of Big Ben, then walking through a pristine kitchen to the back door. “Anna, I have a gentleman who’d like to talk with you a minute.”
A girl who looked like she’d just had a growth spurt jumped off the swing while it was in motion, but her mom didn’t even flinch. Anna’s dark hair was pulled back in a ponytail, and if the freckles dotting her nose were any indication, she liked spending time outside.
She came right up to him and stuck her hand out. “Hello, I’m Anna.”
“I’m Officer Westmont.”
She frowned at him. “Is Eliza okay?”
“Why?”
“She hasn’t called me for a couple days. She promised she’d always call or text. And she’s missed for the first time.”
