Rummaging through her notes, Marge found the phone number of Berkeley and asked for the English department. Ten minutes later, after a half-dozen false starts, she was put on hold once again.

“I’m waiting for them to locate a guy named Bert Stine. He used to team-teach with Geoffrey Roberts.”

“Good,” Decker said. “Did you ever get through to Stan Meecham?”

“Yep. And as you predicted, the doctor wasn’t happy to talk to me. But he did explain the condition to me. And after considerable hemming and hawing, he admitted that Marie did bring Tandy to his office. He only admitted that because he said Tandy never returned, so officially he doesn’t consider her a patient.”

“When did Marie bring her in?”

“Around two years ago…in November. Back when she and Marie were as thick as thieves.”

“So tell me about pseudocyesis.”

“The way he described it, it sounds like an unconscious mental thing. The woman actually convinces herself she’s pregnant. She stops menstruating, her breasts and cervix enlarge, she can even experience morning sickness. It’s usually found in adolescents, but not exclusively—”

Marge held out the palm of her hand and spoke into the phone.

“Professor Stine? This is Detective Dunn of the Los Angeles Police Depart—No, no one is in trouble. I’m just trying to locate Professor Geoffrey Roberts, and I understand you used to team-teach with him?”

Decker looked at her expectantly. Marge rolled her eyes.

“No, I can assure you he’s not in any trouble…at least as far as my business is concerned.”

Marge gnashed her teeth.

“No, I’m not deliberately prying into anyone’s affairs. At the moment, I’m just trying to locate him…. No, I don’t know if he’s missing…. No, Professor Stine, we don’t think he’s dead. At least we haven’t found a death certificate for him. Do you happen to know where he went after he retired from Berkeley?…Well, then after he left.…”

Again Marge waited.

“Unfortunately, Professor, the nature of my business with him is official. But believe me, I’m not out to cause him any grief. If you could just help me out. Please, it could be very important. Sure, I’ll hold.”

Decker said, “He’s giving you a hard time?”

“A bit police-shy.”

“At least he hasn’t slammed the receiver in your ear.”

“I take that as a very good sign,” Marge said. “Hi, Professor…He moved to Los Angeles? Do you know where in L.A.? No, no, no, that’s okay. That’s a start. I take it you haven’t heard from Professor Roberts in the last two…No, that’s okay. If he’s currently residing in Los Angeles, we’ll find him…No, he’s not in trouble. I do appreciate your help. Thank you very much. Good-bye.”

“He’s here?” Decker said.