A family of five was shown to a window table behind us, and a tall woman with pale hair was staring at Jodi. She had come in with an overweight man and two children and an older woman who was probably the grandmother. The older woman looked as if she'd be more at home at a diner in Topeka. The overweight man carried a Minolta. Tourists.

"Have you tried to find out about yourself through the state?"

"Yes." She handed a business card to me. "I'm using an attorney in Baton Rouge, but the state records are sealed. That was Louisiana law at the time of my adoption, and remains the law today. She tells me that we've exhausted all regular channels, and recommended that I hire a private investigator. Peter recommended you. If you agree to help, you'll need to coordinate what you do through her."

I looked at the card: Sonnier, Melancon Burke, Attorneys at Law. And under that: Lucille Chenier, Associate. There was an address in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Sid leaned forward, giving me the frog again. "Maybe now you know why I'm making a big deal about keeping this secret. Some scumbag tabloid would pay a fortune for this. Famous actress searches for real parents."

Jodi Taylor said, "My mom and dad are my real parents."

Sid made the little hand move. "Sure, kid. You bet."

She said, "I mean it, Sid." Her voice was tense.

The tall woman with the pale hair said something to the overweight man, and he looked our way, too. The older woman was looking around, but you could tell she didn't see us.

Jodi said, "If you find these people, I have no wish to meet them, and I don't want them to know who I am. I don't want anyone to know that you're doing this, and I want you to promise me that anything you find out about me or my biological relatives will remain absolutely confidential between us. Do you promise that?"

Sid said, "They find out they're related to Jodi Taylor, they might take advantage." He rubbed his thumb across his fingertips. Money.

Jodi Taylor was still with me, her eyes locked on mine as if this was the most important thing in the world. "Do you swear that whatever you find will stay between us?"

"The card says 'confidential,' Ms. Taylor. If I work for you, I'm working for you."

Jodi looked at Sid. Sid spread his hands. "Whatever you want to do, kid."

She looked back at me, and nodded. "Hire him."

I said, "I can't do it from here. I'll have to go to Louisiana, and, possibly, other places, and, if I do, the expenses could be considerable."

Sid said, "So what's new?"

"My fee is three thousand dollars, plus the expenses."

Sid Markowitz took out a check and a pen and wrote without comment.