“The official assignments are written on paper, then transferred to the plastic board that hangs from the wall in the front nursing station. We use a grease pen on the board, because assignments change at any given time. If the roster was written in pen, it would be a big mess.”

“Just like our station house’s scoreboard.”

Christine smiled. “Yeah, that’s what we call it, too.”

Decker tried to be casual. “So by ‘crossed off,’ do you mean you remember seeing Lily Booker’s name on the plastic board, and then it was erased?”

“I guess that’s what I meant. Why?”

“When is Lily due back on duty?”

“I really don’t know,” Christine shrugged. “She wasn’t written into today’s roster. Why all these questions about Lily? Was she involved?”

“Do you have her phone number?”

“No. But she should be in the medical directory.”

“Even if she’s just a trainee?”

“Oh, that’s right. She’s too new. But Darlene would probably have it. I’ll get you Darlene’s number.”

“I just called her house. Either she isn’t home or she isn’t answering her phone—at least for me. She may be mad at me.”

“More like scared.”

“That could be. Can you do me a favor and call her? See if she picks up the machine for you?”

Immediately, Christine picked up the phone and punched in some numbers. After a moment, she said, “Hi, Darlene, it’s Christine, are you there?” Pause. “Darlene, hi, are you there? Can you pick up the…Hi. Yeah, everything’s fine over here. Detective Decker is here…Darlene, he’s looking for Caitlin Rodriguez. He needs to talk to you. We’ve got to help!” There was a pause. “Hold on.” She handed him the receiver. “Anything else?”

“No, Chris, you’ve been an enormous help.”

“Then I’ll get back to work.”

Decker mouthed her a thank-you and spoke into the receiver. “Darlene, I need to ask you a few questions. Was Lily Booker on duty the night Caitlin Rodriguez was kidnapped?”

There was a long pause over the line. “What does Lily have to do with this?”

Darlene’s voice sounded frightened. Decker felt his stomach sink. “Can you just answer the question?”

There was another long moment of silence. “She called in sick.”

“At the last moment?”

“Yes, at the last moment. How did you know? Have you talked to Lily recently?”

Her voice had become anxious. Decker said, “No, I haven’t talked to her. Have you?”

“No.” Darlene quickly added, “But I haven’t talked to too many people since I was relieved of my duties.”

“Darlene, did you take Lily’s sick call?”

“No, Detective.” Another hesitation. “Marie did.”

“Marie did?”

Again the pause. “Yes.”

“Darlene, you seem to be unsure of yourself. Should we talk in person?”

This time Darlene started to cry. “Yes, Sergeant, I think we really should.”

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