“At this point, I’ll just take news.” Decker depressed the line to liberate his second call. Marge’s voice came over the wire.

“Got a callback from the Board of Nurses’ Examiners, Pete. About Tandy’s license: It’s not Tandy’s. The number she’s using actually belongs to one Lawrence McKay—aka Leek, the scamster of Golden Valley Home.”

“Tandy’s using Leek’s license number?”

“Appears that way.”

“How can she do that?”

“I don’t know.”

“Don’t these agencies cross-check for things like that?”

“I’m sure they’re supposed to, but you know bureaucracy.”

“Does Leek know she’s using his number?”

“Beats me.”

“What’s Leek using for his license?”

“Someone should ask him these very questions, Pete. Since I’m stuck here at the parking lot at Silver’s, keeping watch over a black Audi, I suggest you take a trip to Golden Valley Home real soon.”

“I’m leaving right now. I spoke to Hollander. One of his cases was postponed. He said he could relieve you for a couple of hours. How about we meet at my house at about”—he looked at his watch—“how does two, two-thirty sound?”

“What’s wrong with the station house?”

“I’d like to check in on Rina…and the baby.”

“Proud papa, huh?”

“More like neurotic papa.”

Marge had described Golden Valley as a step up from the usual retirement home, and Decker agreed with her assessment. It was bright and clean, and the staff seemed professional. But all that could be facade. Lawrence McKay worked there, and McKay was a man with something to hide. His yellow sheet had come up empty, but that didn’t mean the man was clean. All criminals have blank records until they get caught.

McKay was still out on lunch break when Decker arrived. He was due back in fifteen minutes, so Decker decided to make use of the time and have a talk with Lita Bellson. He didn’t expect a breakthrough, but anything was worth a try.

Lita was in the solarium, sun shaded by tinted windows. The back of her wheelchair was tilted downward, and her foot rest was raised. Her head was to the side, and she appeared to be asleep. As Decker moved closer, he saw her eyes were closed and her mouth was emitting soft snores. He pulled up a chair beside her, and a moment later a young black nurse named Tonya came by to offer him coffee. He accepted, and when she returned with a steaming cup, the aroma aroused Sleeping Beauty.

“Coffee?” Lita muttered. “Did somebody make coffee?” Her eyes snapped open to reveal startling green eyes flecked with brown. She stared at Decker. “Who are you? More important, where’d you get the coffee?”

“I’m Detective Sergeant Decker, and a nurse brought me the coffee.”

“Can I have it?”

Nurse Tonya clucked her tongue. “Lita, you know you can’t have coffee.”