“I think so…for a while. I remember Marie coming down to Silver’s to watch Tandy work out. I think it annoyed Tandy having Marie hanging around. It annoys most builders to have an audience that doesn’t understand. There’s lots of grunting and swearing and muttering—”

“Does Tandy still mutter?”

“Yeah, but not like she used to. Anyway, to the average eye, it’s sort of weird. Having friends there breaks the concentration. Hold on, it’s the phone again.”

Marge nodded, and McKay picked up the receiver. She thought about what the male nurse had said. Marie seemed to have had a passion for taking in lost girls who eventually ditched her once they felt emotionally strong. And Marie also liked the parable of the prodigal son. Marge wondered if Marie imagined herself on a cross.

McKay set the receiver in the phone’s cradle. “Sorry. Anything else?”

“Leek, did Tandy reject Marie after she got into working out?”

“I really don’t know, but I’ll tell you this. When you’re really into building, your social life drops to nil. Building is an all-consuming activity. From what you eat, to how often you sleep, to how you move. It’s a demon, Detective…takes over your life.”

“Did Marie ever ask you about Tandy after Tandy left here?”

McKay stopped and thought a moment. “I really don’t remember. Maybe once or twice. And I don’t know what Tandy’s relationship to Marie is now. I see Tandy all the time, but we don’t talk much. Tandy’s changed so much. I can’t tell you how wimpy she was.”

“When she wasn’t talking to herself.”

McKay smiled. “It wasn’t all that bad. Just that she seemed so upset. I felt sorry for her.” He shook his head. “She’s completely blown me off. Our conversations are professional—muscle groups and diets. Nothing personal.”

“I’m going to try to catch Tandy at Silver’s, Leek. Don’t call her. I don’t want to scare her. I don’t want her to think she’s in trouble, because she isn’t. I’m just asking her questions in regard to Marie Bellson.”

“Because of the missing baby.” McKay hesitated. “Personally, I just can’t picture Marie Bellson kidnapping a baby. Then again, I would have never thought Tandy had it in her to be a committed builder. Shows you what my thoughts are worth.”

Probably more than you’re letting on, Mr. Leek McKay, RN, Marge thought. She stared at him. His words seemed straightforward, his manner honest enough, but something was hinky. She broke her gaze, then gave him a Mona Lisa smile. Let him squirm. Never know what people’ll do when they squirm.

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