“How about the temporaries? Are they employed specifically by the hospital, or does the hospital get them from agencies?”

“I don’t know.”

“Do you usually see the same floaters and temporaries working?”

“Some of the faces look familiar. I’ve even learned a name or two. Detective, I’m so shaken…maybe I’ll do better the next time we talk. I’m so sorry.”

Decker held back a yawn and finished up some notes. He’d pursue the status of the work staff with the administrators. They’d know about hiring procedure. Then he remembered Cindy’s description of the weirdos who worked at night. He was willing to bet that the hospital hired as cheap as possible and wasn’t always meticulous about checking out credentials. Chances were the administrators wouldn’t be forthcoming about opening up their files. They’d probably state that divulgence of names was an unwarranted invasion of privacy or some other bull. For them, it was going to be cover your ass royally time.

He said, “I’d like to talk to you about Marie Bellson.”

Darlene nodded. “Did they find Marie’s car?”

“Not yet.”

“I just can’t believe that Marie…” Darlene met Decker’s eyes. “It doesn’t make sense, Sergeant.”

“Did Marie seem agitated lately?”

“No.”

“Worried? Preoccupied?”

“No.”

“Did she seem unusually happy—like she’d won the lottery?”

“No. She was just plain old Marie.” Darlene redirected her eyes to him. “I just can’t believe…it doesn’t make sense!”

“Okay, let me ask you this, Darlene. Do you ever remember Marie going through some hard times?”

“Everyone goes through hard times.”

“Tell me about Marie’s.”

“I don’t know, Sergeant. I found out that you’re Sergeant Decker, right?”

“Sergeant’s fine,” Decker said. “Think, Darlene. There’s a baby at stake.”

“I know!” She started sobbing. “It’s all my fault!”

“Darlene—”

“If I’d just been a little more careful!”

“Darlene—”

“I just trust everyone!” she cried. “I think everyone’s good, and no one would ever hurt a little baby. Who would ever hurt a baby? And now a little baby is gone because I was too trusting!”

“Darlene, whipping yourself isn’t going to help.” Decker handed her a tissue. “Let’s talk about Marie. Think about Marie now.”

Darlene dabbed her eyes and told him to go on.

Decker said, “Do you ever remember Marie going through some stressful times?”

“At work?”

“At work or in her personal life—a breakup with a mate, a parent dying, trouble with the kids, something like that.”

“Marie didn’t have children. Matter of fact, I don’t recall Marie ever having a special someone. As far as I know, her life started and stopped with nursing and God.”

She asked the moms to pray to Jesus with her…. Decker remembered the gold cross over her uniform pocket. He had mistakenly thought it was a medical emblem—like the Red Cross.