“I do. It’s the truth.”

“I know, honey. Look, Cindy, it’s late. I’ve got to get some sleep. But I’ll be reachable all morning. If you have a problem, don’t hesitate to call me on my cell. But honestly, I don’t think you’ll need to, because I know you’ll handle it perfectly. After what you’ve gone through, this should be easy.”

“Thanks for the confidence. I love you, Daddy.”

“I love you, too.” A pause. “So how’d you meet this guy?”

“We’re not having this conversation, Dad.”

“Just use me and discard me.”

“What else are parents for?”

12

It was a one-storySpanish house sitting in a block of Arts and Crafts bungalows, the stucco so white it sparkled like snowdrift. Nestled among large-leaf banana plants and cocoa palms, the home had the requisite red-tiled roof and the little gated courtyard. Full of curb appeal: That was real estate lingo for something that looked good on the outside. I had tried to dress soothingly-a sage blazer over cream-colored blouse and slacks-but I suspected that Ms. Sanders wouldn’t be focusing on my sartorial splendor.

It was just past eight in the morning, early enough to catch her before she went to work, and I chose not to phone beforehand because I didn’t want to scare anyone off. I rang the bell. The peephole door opened.

“Yes?”

“Good morning. I’m Officer Cynthia Decker. I’m looking for Louise Sanders.”

“Who are you?”

“Officer Cynthia Decker of Los Angeles Police-Hollywood.”

She opened the door a fraction of an inch. The chain was still attached. “Can I see some ID, please?”

Billfold already in hand, I slipped it through the crack. She took it and, after a few moments, passed it back. The door opened all the way.

She was much older than I expected-in her late forties or early fifties. I was led to believe that Sarah was in her twenties. That meant there was quite an age gap between them. Louise had short, blunt-cut gray hair that framed an oval face and gray-green eyes. Her features were regular, and once, she had been pretty. Now, she was handsome in her black skirt suit and crisp white blouse.

“Yes?”

“May I come in for a few minutes?”

“What’s this all about?”

“I’ll be happy to explain everything, but it’s better if we talk inside.”

Reluctantly, she allowed me to cross the threshold. The living room was small but restored beautifully-dark beamed ceilings, Saltillo tiled floor, textured beige stucco walls, and lots of molding and niches. There was a brown leather couch with matching chairs; the accent tables were made of heavy dark wood. An upright piano stood in the corner; a sheet of music rested on the stand. I asked her who played.

“My sister. What’s going on?”

“Thank you for your patience. Can I sit down?”

“Yes, of course.”

I settled into one of the leather chairs. She sat on the couch. “A case I’m working on led me to your sister’s school-the Fordham Communal Center…”

“Yes, yes. What about it?”

“I understand Sarah hasn’t been feeling well. How’s she doing?”

The woman was taken aback. “That’s why you’re here?”

“Is Sarah all right?”

“As a matter of fact, she’s not well. She has some health issues. I was thinking of taking her to the doctor’s this morning.”

“I think that might be a good idea.”

“Why?” She became startled. “What’s wrong with her?”

“I honestly don’t know if anything’s wrong with her. Let me tell you why I’m here and then you decide. Several days ago, LAPD found a newborn infant in a Dumpster behind a nearby restaurant. Perhaps you read about it in the paper?”

“I saw it on the news.”

“I pulled her out. It was pretty scary, but I’m happy to report that the baby’s doing well and is in very good health.”

“That’s nice.” A glance at the watch. “Can we get to the point?”

“I was just wondering if… well, maybe Sarah’s lost a little weight recently?”

The woman’s eyes widened as shock swept across her face. “What!” She stood up and screamed, “Sarah! Get here-”

“Wait, wait, wait!” I gently touched her arm. “Before we get her involved, how about if we talk about this calmly.”

She broke away and started pacing. “I don’t believe this! It’s one thing after another! All I want is a little peace and quiet, and then…” She plopped back down on the sofa and slapped her hands over her face. Her voice cracked as she spoke. “I’m just so…tired!”

“It may be nothing.”

“Itisn’tnothing. It’snevernothing! It’s always something! She’s been bleeding hard. I just thought it was a rough period. I didn’t eventhinkabout pregnancy.” Again she started to pace. “Is she in trouble with the law?”

“Obviously, there are circumstances here.”

“It’s going to be hell! I just know it! I’m going to need a lawyer. I’m going to have to make a court appearance! And I’m going to look like a total idiot! How could I have not known!”

“She’s a heavy girl. It’s completely understandable. The main thing is to get her medical attention. That’s the reason I’m here. To help her, not to hurt her.”

She stopped racing about, covered her mouth with her hand, then let it drop to her side. “Of course. You’re being very understanding.”

“Both of you will be okay.”

She looked at my face. “The baby’s okay?”

“She’s absolutely adorable.”

A smile spread over her distraught face. “Thank God!”

“Ms. Sanders… did you know that Sarah-”

“No idea! She never mentioned any boy… any special boy. She mentioned lots of boys. She wassupposedto be on the pill.”

“Birth control isn’t perfect.”

“Especially if she didn’t take it. It wouldn’t be the first time. She has a bad gag reflex. It’s hard for her to swallow little things like pills. And liquid medicine makes her gag because it tastes so awful. I should have sterilized-” She cut herself off and looked away.

“I know that lots of the girls in Fordham are sterilized. I am not judging you, ma’am. It is extremely arrogant for anyone to judge you.”

“Thank you.” She wiped tears from her face. “Please call me Louise.”

“All right. How about we both sit down, Louise?”

A nod and we reclaimed our respective places.

I said, “So you don’t know if Sarah was having sex or not.”

“Obviously, she was having sex!”

I tried to put this as delicately as I could. “Consensual sex, I mean.”

“Oh my God!” She leaped to her feet. “She wasraped?”

“Louise, let’s not assume anything. It was just a question. That’s why I need to talk to her. That’s why she needs medical attention.”

She sighed and tried to calm herself. “Do you want to talk to her now?”

“Yes, but not for too long.” As long as she was standing, I figured I should get to my feet. “Our first concern is getting her to a hospital. I’ll take you there, if you want.”

“You are being sonice,Officer Decker.” Again the tears started. “That’s all right. I have a car. What are they going to do to her?”

“I imagine that after checking her out, they’ll take a blood test and verify that she’s the baby’s mother. You know, first things first.” I hesitated. “Louise, the baby’s biracial.”

She blinked several times. “She’sblack?”

“Part black.”

Silence.

“Thank you for telling me.” She choked on her words. “I’ll go get her. Please be gentle. Despite how it may appear, I love her very much.”

“Louise, I don’t doubt it for a second.”

She clasped her hands together. “You know, it doesn’t matter to me what the baby is as long as she’s healthy.”

“She’s healthy.”

“That’s all that counts.” A moment’s hesitation. “I’ll go get Sarah.”

By the way the young girl carried herself, it appeared as if her chin were attached to her chest. Though her eyes were squeezed shut as tightly as humanly possible, tears managed to leak through. Limp strands of blond hair covered her cheeks. Her hands were white-knuckled, balled up into fists. Her brown smock pulled against her generous breasts. Louise placed a hand on her shoulder.