“God?”

“She believed in Jesus. But she wasn’t obnoxious about it.”

“Cindy said she used to ask patients to pray with her.”

“Only if she felt they wanted to. She wouldn’t ever have forced Jesus down their throats. She wasn’t preachy.”

“It wasn’t routine?”

“No, not at all.”

“It is inappropriate.”

Darlene was quiet. “Yes, I suppose it is.”

Decker tapped his pencil against the pad. “Marie was single for as long as you’ve known her?”

“Yes.”

“Did she ever mention regrets at not having kids?”

Darlene shook her head. “She liked the babies, but not in a sick way. Marie was terrific with the little ones, but she was even more terrific with the moms. Helping them adjust to their newborns. And she was great as a nurse supervisor. She trained me, Sergeant. She trained just about every nurse who has ever passed through OB in the last ten years.”

“Was that part of her job? To train nurses?”

“Yeah, of course. But she took it even further, ’cause deep down she really cared. She took a special interest in every single one of us. She wanted us to know what it meant to be a truly dedicated nurse. She was a busy woman, Sergeant, but she always had time for our questions. Had time for the moms’ questions, too. That’s why it doesn’t make sense.”

“What do you mean when you say she took a special interest in her nurses? Don’t all head nurses answer questions?”

“Marie went beyond that. First week on the job, I got an invite to her home. I was nervous, I can tell you that. I thought it was like a test.” Darlene shook her head. “She was just being friendly. Asked me to talk about myself, asked me what I wanted out of nursing, if I had any problems I’d like to discuss with her.”

“Doesn’t sound like the Marie Bellson I’ve been told about,” Decker said. “The one I’ve heard about was all business and pretty testy.”

“Marie could be testy. We’re all under a lot of pressure here. But she really cares.”

Darlene suddenly looked puzzled. Decker asked her what was wrong.

“Only problem with Marie was…” Darlene seemed to collect her thoughts. “Seemed to me that once I’d learned the ropes, she cut the personal relationship…didn’t ask me to her house, didn’t accept any of my invites to my house. She was nice enough at work—nice but professional. The personal touch was gone.”

Darlene sighed.

“But you’ve gotta understand Marie, Sergeant. She saved her energies for those that really needed her. She’s a true nurse inside and out. And she has ethics, a belief in right and wrong. And she’s God-fearing. That’s why I refuse to believe that she’d ever lay a finger to harm a little baby.”