How in the world would she ever be an ace detective if she couldn’t remember simple things like names of places? She sighed. Holding Hannah firmly in the crook of her right arm, she pulled out a phone book with the left hand. Under the Yellow Pages, she found two columns’ worth of listings under “Gyms.” She studied each name carefully, stopping when she hit the name Silver’s.

That was it.

Security was still tight and visible, but the extreme tension brought on by yesterday’s crisis had dissipated. Within a few months, Decker predicted Sun Valley Pres would return to its normal lackadaisical self, more concerned with budgetary issues than with medical problems. The administrative offices didn’t open before nine, leaving Decker with forty-five minutes to track down Darlene Jamison and the duty roster the night of Caitlin Rodriguez’s kidnapping.

Although he had no problem getting through the front door of the hospital, the nurseries were still under microscopic scrutiny. Even after he showed his I.D., he was met with suspicion by TECHWATCH’s body for hire. Finally, the guard let him pass through the maternity halls. All the nurseries had guards posted outside the entrance doors. Once again Decker showed his badge to the sentry outside Nursery J and was allowed to step inside the glass station. A blond nurse turned around. She was young, slim, with a round face and saucer blue eyes, but the ingenue effect was ruined by a face weathered with stress. Her name tag said C. Simms, RN. Decker showed her his I.D.

“Can I speak to you for a moment, Christine?”

Christine smiled wearily. “Have a seat. I have to check the lines on the premies. That can’t wait, Sergeant. But it shouldn’t take too long.”

“Is Darlene Jamison on duty this morning?”

Christine looked pained. “Darlene’s on temporary leave of absence. I suppose it was inevitable, but I feel bad for her.” She looked down. “Susan Altman is with the babies in the back. If you need anything, page her. But please don’t cross the yellow line—contamination.”

“Is Darlene at home?” Decker called out.

“Probably,” Christine answered.

“Do you have her phone number on hand?”

Christine didn’t answer as the door closed behind her. Decker opened his briefcase and checked his notes. He found Darlene’s number and used the wall phone to get the hospital operator and an outside connection. Darlene’s machine kicked in after two rings, and Decker left his message slowly, giving the woman time to interrupt the call and come on the line.

She never did. Either she wasn’t home, or she was avoiding him.