She shivered. “Kind of spooky, no one was there, most of the building was dark. And I was by myself. Drew handed me over to the doctor and left. He was parked out on the street when I came out.”

“Did you go back for a follow-up visit?”

“Uh-uh,” she said. “I took the Midols, that’s it. Drew offered me some different pills, I think they were Demerol. I didn’t take them. I’d been pretty clean and sober since they put me in the shelter.”

Except for a Rohypnol to get things going. “Beth, do you know if he abused any other girls besides Miranda and you?”

“I never saw anyone, but probably. ’Cause he was like . . . there was no nervousness. It was like something he was used to, you know? And he had only girls in the house. Why are you investigating him?”

I turned to Allison. She said, “It’s okay.”

“A girl he cared for committed suicide.”

Beth’s eyes remained steady. “How?”

“She cut her wrists.”

“That’s terrible,” she said. “That would hurt.”

* * *

I asked if there was anything else she wanted to know.

“Nope.”

Thanking her again, I got up and shook her hand. No warmer.

Allison said, “I’ll be back in a sec, hon,” and walked me out. It was nearly nine and passersby strolled Montana Avenue.

“As far as I’m concerned,” she said, “I’ve got no obligation to report because she’s nineteen. He’s a monster but that’s not my problem right now. She may change her mind but in the meantime I insist you don’t bring her into any police investigation.”

“No argument.”

She touched my hand. Her lips looked parched. “I need to get back in there. We’ll talk later.”

“I can come back when you’re through.”

“No,” she said. “I’m bushed and I’ve still got two more patients. Tomorrow’s pretty heavy, too. I’ll call you.”

I leaned in to kiss her.

She squeezed my hand and offered her cheek.

CHAPTER 35

CHAPTER 35

Back at my office, I found the citations I’d printed for the Women’s Wellness Place.

The only full-time physician was the medical director, Marta A. Demchuk, M.D.

Four hits for her. The oldest, five years ago, was a state medical board listing of doctors facing legal prosecution or ethical censure. The charge against Demchuk was billing fraud.

Five years ago, but she was still in practice. No answer at Milo’s house but I connected with his mobile.

“Out on the town, big guy?”

“If the town’s Van Nuys,” he said. “Just got finished talking to a creepy little lady doc about the specifics of her gynecology practice.”

“Marta Demchuk?”

Silence. “What the hell? If you were hiding in a corner, I didn’t see you.”

I recounted Beth Scoggins’s story.

He said, “Allison’s patient? Talk about karma.”

“Unfortunately, she won’t be available for follow-up.”

“Why?”