“A suicide note?” I asked. “Why would she leave it to Fairchild?”

Lisa Andrews shrugged, informing us that she would find the Stampses and Fairchild and tell them about Emily’s death. We didn’t argue with her.

“Might not hurt to have that doctor with you,” Mary Alice said.

Lisa Andrews nodded and informed us that she would get back to us later, that we should stay available. Sister closed the door behind her. “Pissant.”

“I’m just glad she’s the one telling them.”

“Yeah. I’ll go over after while and find out what’s in the note.” Sister sat on the sofa and propped her feet on the coffee table.

“Let her be the one who finds a third body.” I shivered.

“Kids, Mouse. They do it all the time.”

Another knock on the door. This time I looked through the peephole and saw Sophie Berliner. “It’s the child from down the hall,” I told Mary Alice.

“Some child!” Sister said.

But when I opened the door, I saw that Sophie did, indeed, look like a very young teenager. The black robe was gone, and in its place were jeans, sneakers, and a tee shirt with a picture of Homer Simpson on it. “Is Haley here?” she asked.

“She’s gone to The Flamingo for dinner. She should be back soon. Can I help you with something, Sophie?”

“Some turtles are coming in at Navarre! They’ve been spotted in the water, and Millicent and I were supposed to be on patrol tonight.” She paused. “Anyway, Daddy’s taking me, and Haley said she wanted to see them.”

Mary Alice had come up beside me. “They’re coming in to lay their eggs?”

“Yes, and I’ve got to go. But tell Haley maybe some will come in tomorrow night.”

“I will,” I assured her. “She’ll be sorry she missed it.”

“They’re so big!”

I looked at the child’s face, flushed with excitement, and realized for the first time that she was going to be a beautiful woman.

She turned toward the elevator. “I’ve got to go.”

“Sophie,” I said, “wait a minute. Did you hear somebody screaming a few minutes ago? A real, loud scream?”

She giggled. “That was me doing my Tarzan yell. Daddy was down on the stile and he knows when I do the yell, I need him.” She punched the elevator button. “Why? Did I scare you?”

“I was considering going to someone’s rescue.”

Sophie giggled again. The elevator opened and she stepped in, giving Sister and me a backward wave.

“See?” Sister said. “I told you it was a kid.”

She gloats when she’s right. “Think you can keep down some soup now?” I asked. “Some Chicken and Stars?”