A big leap with a few holes. Surely, Lita Bellson would have noticed Marie’s pregnancy. When Marie was fifteen, she was still living with Lita. And the old woman distinctly told Marge that Marie never had babies, only abortions.

But perhaps the old woman was senile.

Worry about that one later on.

Decker said, “When I asked administration about Tandy, they told me she wasn’t on the hospital’s work roster. Wouldn’t she have been on it if she worked for the hospital in the past?”

“She was pulled from the roster because she had some trouble with her license. Marie told me she got that fixed up, though.”

“What kind of trouble?”

“Marie told me it was some clerical error, but I think she was covering for her. I don’t think she was licensed as an RN.”

“Tandy wasn’t a nurse?”

“No, she was an LVN—a Licensed Vocational Nurse—but not an RN—a Registered Nurse.”

“What’s the practical difference?”

“RNs have more training, higher status, and make more money. I never got the feeling that money was Tandy’s thing. But she was real interested in status. Being that much over-weight, I bet she wanted to be important at something. But it doesn’t make it right—morally or legally.”

Decker nodded in agreement.

“Marie said the rumors were garbage. That Tandy was an RN. But like I said, she was wild about Tandy. She was always attracted to the downtrodden.”

“Downtrodden?”

“Well, Tandy wasn’t exactly a basket case, but she was overly shy.” Darlene paused, then said, “Once I remember her crying in one of the supply closets. When I asked her what was wrong, she became flustered. Finally, I got her to tell me what was bothering her. She kept saying they were putting her down again.”

“Who was putting her down?”

Darlene seemed surprised by the question. “I don’t know if she ever said. I just assumed that she meant her parents. ’Cause of the way she was talking. ‘They always tell me I’m no good, I’m too fat, I’m a disappointment….’ Things like that.”

Decker was writing furiously. “What happened after you talked to her?”

“She stopped crying and went back to work.”

“So you knew her pretty well.”

“Not very well, but well enough to notice if Tandy had been in the hospital that night. Someone that heavy…the eye just can’t help but notice. I would have spotted her on a dime.”

“Darlene, suppose I were to tell you that Tandy is now around a hundred and twenty pounds—Vogue-model slim and beautiful to boot. What would you say?”

“I’d say you were pulling my leg. That girl was pathetic-looking.” She paused. “You are kidding me, aren’t you?”

“No, I’m not kidding you. My partner interviewed her. I’m telling you what she told me.”