“You’re wrong, Irene. We already have her. And you have no idea how easy it was. I was very skeptical when Virgil first brought her here last October. I thought I would have a losing battle on my hands, but as it turned out, Regina was very anxious to join us after she got to know us.”

“You’re lying.”

“Regina is in love with Virgil. And Regina is pregnant.”

Frank let out a sharp groan. I slipped my fingers under the flap of my purse.

“I think you’d better get Regina now,” I said.

“I hope you’re prepared for this.”

“Just get her.”

Vivian nodded at Virgil. He stood and went up the spiral staircase. Everyone was silent, and I thought: It’ll all be over in a few minutes. We’ll go away from here and never talk about it again. Regina will go to school tomorrow, I’ll go to work, Gloria can fly back to L.A.

But these thoughts died with the next sound. Regina’s laugh, shrill and empty, came from upstairs. I had heard it before, the night she and Virgil returned from their supposed trip to Detroit. I had heard it when she talked on the telephone to Virgil. It was filled with mockery and arrogance, perfectly matched now with Vivian’s face.

“You know, don’t you, that you can be prosecuted for what you’ve done.”

Vivian chuckled. “There you go with the police again. This is a private family matter, even though you’ve dragged your Siamese twin here into it.”

“I’ll make it public if I have to.”

“Irene, please,” Frank moaned. “Don’t talk to her.”

“I’ll drag you into court and show what you’ve done.”

“And what have I done?”

“You abducted her, you and that . . . offspring.”

“You’re being silly. You sent Regina here. To get her away from her father. Even Miss McPhee knows that.”

“Miss McPhee? What has she got to do with this?”

“Miss McPhee has been quite concerned about Regina’s welfare. She’s taken a personal interest. And I’m sure she’ll take an even greater interest when she finds out Regina is pregnant.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about a little do-good twit who I’m sure resembles you. You’re a teacher. How would you react if one of your students told you her father had . . . funny ideas? Miss McPhee had quite a reaction.”

“No,” Frank was whispering, shaking his head. “No, you didn’t. You couldn’t do that.”

“I haven’t done anything. I’ve never seen the woman. But Regina’s­ been very close to her.”

“What are you getting at?” I said.

“You want it straight and simple? Here it is. Regina has chosen to come to us. When the time comes, she wants to have her baby here. You’re not to stand in her way. If you do, you’ll get your police and your courtroom and your public testimony, only I’m afraid you and Frank will be on the receiving end. Just a few words to Miss McPhee about the possible paternity of the baby, a few tears from Regina. That should set a few wheels in motion.”