Chapter 7 - The Man Behind the Wheel
At the county office, Warren admitted he had driven Maya's SUV into shade. He remembered fastening his seatbelt, but not whether Ellie was behind him. A neurologist had told him in March to stop driving pending tests. Elaine had hidden the recommendation because Warren's license was the last thing he controlled. Rachel knew. Elaine kept saying he had only moved the car, which was not real driving. Maya hadn't known, though missed pickups and misplaced words now mattered. Elaine said those slips were harmless. "He raised two daughters. He can still sit with one child." Grant asked who checked the back seat after Warren parked. Elaine looked at Rachel. Rachel looked at the wall. Warren began tapping his union ring against the table, Ellie's zipper rhythm. The partial truth was ugly enough: all three adults knew Warren might become confused, and all three allowed him near the keys. But the timing still made no sense. Why had Rachel called Ellie a burden before anyone reported her missing?
