Sue Beth mumbled something, realized no one understood her, then said loudly, “It doesn’t matter.”

“Then just sit down and make yourself comfortable, Mrs. Litton. I’ll get you Sally.” Sophi corrected herself. “I mean Katie. Whatever you call her, she’s a fine little girl. Detective Decker and I were just talking what a sweetie pie she is. I’m so glad we found her kin.”

“Thank you,” Sue Beth said weakly. When Sophie left, Sue Beth muttered, “I’m so nervous.”

“You’ll be fine,” Marge said. She patted her hand. It was ice-cold.

“It’s not like Katie doesn’t know me…but…” Her voice trailed off.

A moment later, Sophie came back carrying Katie in her arms. The toddler was dressed in a sleeveless white shirt and green shorts. Her feet were bare, her little toes wriggling and caked with mud. Her curls had turned even more blond. Her brown eyes widened with unabashed delight when she noticed Sue Beth. She reached out her arms to her aunt.

“Tatie Sooooo!” she shrieked. “Tatie Soo, Tatie Soo.”

“Oh, baby,” Sue Beth said. She scooped the toddler in her arms. “Oh, my poor, poor baby.” She held her to her breast and began to cry.

“Mama?” Katie asked. “Mama? Mama?”

Sue Beth looked at Marge, panic etched into her face. “What do I tell her, Miss Detective? What do I tell her?”

Decker said, “As a matter of fact, Mrs. Litton, Detective Dunn has the name of a child psychologist who might be able to help you and Katie out.”

Quickly, Marge reached in her coat pocket and offered Sue Beth a piece of paper. “His name is Dr. Germaine, his phone number is—”

Sue Beth looked up. “A head doctor?”

“For Katie’s sake,” Decker said. “They’re used to dealing with crisis situations.”

“Society for Victim’s Rights will pay for the initial visit,” Marge said. “Just try him out.”

“Mama?” Katie said. She started to squirm in Sue Beth’s arms. “Mama, Mama, Mama, Mama.”

The child began to cry.

“Oh my Lord,” Sue Beth said. “I feel sick to my stomach.”

Again, Marge offered her the phone number.

Katie drooped helplessly in her aunt’s arms, bleating out “Mama” like an injured lamb. Tears poured out of Sue Beth’s eyes. Her skin had turned ashen and was damp with perspiration.

Slowly, she reached toward Marge’s outstretched hand and took the piece of paper.

Ozzie Crandal said to Decker, “These people. They’re a real piece of work.”

“In what way?” Decker asked.

“Could I get a cup of coffee?” Crandal said. He loosened his tie. “I’ve been going seven hours straight without anything.”

“If you can stand our squad-room brew,” Decker said.