Trashed files not in trash folder

Just upgraded to Lion. Deleted several items from desktop, then opened trash prior to emptying. Surprised to find trash completely empty, as if nothing had been put in there.

There are no trash options such as "secure empty immediatelywhen anything is put in trash" that would make my trash always appear empty.

Wondered if the Lion install created a second trash folder and the desktop icon was pointing to the wrong one. Did a finder search using the word "trash" and found no app by that name. And yet items I move to trash *appear* to be deleted, or at least moved out of sight. Have tried all the available views in trash, all show nothing.

I created a text file, saved it as "5551212," then moved it to trash. Opened trash, which appeared empty. I then did a finder search for "5551212" and got no results, so the file isn't being moved somewhere searchable.

I want to be sure that items I move to trash ARE being deleted, and am concerned where these items are going now. Has anyone else experienced this? Any thoughts would be most appreciated.