"Five. Almost six."

"Excuse me?"

Cassie quickly pointed to the photo on the bureau.

"I would guess. I mean, if that photo's recent."

She turned and raised a hand, taking in the whole of the room.

"I also have a niece who is five. This could be her room."

She waited but there were no further questions from LeValley. It had been a bad slip and Cassie knew she was lucky to have gotten away with it.

"Well," LeValley said, "I want to get you to sign in so we have your name and number. Are there any questions I can answer for you? I even have an offer sheet with me if by any chance you're ready to do that."

She smiled as she said the last line. Cassie smiled back.

"Not just yet," she said. "But I do like the house."

LeValley headed back to the stairs and down. Cassie moved toward the door to follow. As she stepped into the hallway, she glanced back at the collection of stuffed animals on a shelf above the bed. The girl seemed partial to stuffed dogs. Her eyes then went back to the drawing on the easel.

Down in the living room LeValley handed her a clipboard with a sign-in sheet on it. She wrote the name Karen Palty, the name belonging to an old friend from her days dealing blackjack, then made up a phone number with a Hollywood exchange and an address on Nichols Canyon Road. After she handed it back LeValley read the entry.

"Karen, you know, if this house isn't what you are looking for, there are several others in the canyon I'd be more than happy to show you."

"Okay, that would be fine. Let me think about this one first, though."

"Oh, sure. You just let me know. Here's my card."

LeValley offered a business card and Cassie took it. She noticed through the living room's picture window a car pulling to the curb behind the Boxster. Another potential buyer. She decided it was time to ask questions while she still had LeValley alone.