We ate in silence for a few moments. I suppose there was no purpose in pressing him until I found out how viable my relationship with Koby was. “I really did ask you here for a purpose other then getting on your nerves.”

He leaned over and kissed my forehead. “What do you need?”

“Spoken like a true parent. The baby’s mother, Sarah Sanders, I never really got a chance to interview her. Even if it had been my job, I didn’t feel capable of questioning her.”

“That’s okay, Cin. After you get your gold shield, you’ll feel much more comfortable with interviewing.”

“I talked to Russ MacGregor about it. He’s taking the case over for Greg Van Horn, who’s on vacation. I don’t know, Dad. I just want to make sure that certain questions are asked.”

“Like what?”

“Questions about the father of the baby. I think it’s important to know.”

“Russ didn’t ask about it?”

“Russ interviewed her for about fifteen minutes, mostly details of her abandonment. Where did you give birth? Why did you throw the baby away? Why didn’t you tell your sister? Like she was the felon … I mean, she is a felon, but there are circumstances, you know.”

“I’m sure a judge will take her mental capacity into consideration.” Decker sipped coffee. “Why are you concerned? Did the sister call you up with a complaint?”

I shook my head.

“It’ll be okay, Cindy. You can’t mother the world.”

“I still think someone should ask about the father.”

“Talk to Russ.”

“I did. I spoke to him on Friday before I picked up Koby for dinner. He said he danced around the topic, but she wasn’t talking. He didn’t know if she was protecting someone or didn’t understand the questions. He said he’d deal with it on Monday when he came back from Mammoth. Then I asked him if I could talk to her over the weekend.”

“And …”

“He was reluctant, Lieutenant. Didn’t say yes right away, but I played dumb and waited him out. In the end, he said to go ahead, but just don’t screw anything up.”

“Meaning don’t screw up the case, and don’t screw him by showing him up. He doesn’t want you to make him look bad. That’s understandable.”

“I understand about seniority. I’ll give him all the credit: I don’t care about that.” I leaned over the table. “I just want to make sure that the girl wasn’t raped—”

“Whoa! Hold on.” Decker put down his coffee cup. “The girl was raped?”

“I don’t know.”

“So why do you think she was raped? Retarded adults have sexual drives, too.”

“I know that. It’s just she didn’t have lots of opportunity. They’re watched pretty closely in the center.”

“All it takes is one time.”

“Shouldn’t it be considered as a possibility?”

Dad gave my question some thought. “If it were my case … I would consider it a possibility.” He rubbed his hands together. “Go interview her.”

“I’d like you to come with me.”