[Palladin]

Good thinking and analysis on this thread, h.e. I,too, believe the kidnapping was well-planned and well-executed. Not a spur-of-the-moment decision by a cat burglar to take one of the Smart children.

A number of people could have had keys, however. Think of all the relatives coming and going during the grandfather's long illness, and at his funeral. Does it necessarily have to be a workman with a key?

I would like to know if Ed changed all the locks after the Ricci/other workmen thefts at his home. Or did he depend on the alarm system alone (which was unset the night of the kidnapping) to protect his family?

[UCANSEE2]

So, if we assume it was a pre-planned kidnapping, What was the purpose of the kidnapping? Where is she?

[jandji]

"the kidnapping was well-planned and well-executed."

the scary thing about this scenerio is the only person who knew the garage door would be left open, and the alarm motion sensors would be shut off, would've been Ed. not only that, remember that Ed left the garage open even after coming home. Lois had to make him go downstairs and check all the doors. Ed said he then locked all the sliding glass doors and the basement door.