Public Secrets Part 61

That was a new one, and Lou noted it down.

Thlking with Brian, then hearing Emma scream-finding her at the foot of

the steps.

"People crowded around," she murmured. "Someone, I don't know who,

called an ambulance. We didn't move her-we were afraid to

move her. We heard the sirens coming. I wanted to go to the hospital

with her, her and Brian, but I needed to check on Darren first, and to

wake Alice and let her know what had happened.

"I stopped to get Emma's robe. I don't know why really, I just thought

she might need it. I started down the hall. I was annoyed because the

lights were out. We always leave the hall light on for Emma. She's

afraid of the dark. Not Darren," she said with a halfsmile. "He's

never been afraid of a thing. We only keep a night-light in his room

because it's easier for us if he wakes in the, night. He often does

still. He likes company." She brought a hand to her face as her voice

began to shake. "He doesn't like to be alone."

"I know this is hard, Mrs. McAvoy." But she had been the first on the

scene, had found, and had moved the body. "I need to know what you

found when you went into his room."

"I found my baby." She shook off Brian's hand. She couldn't bear to be

touched. "He was lying on the floor, by the crib. I thought, I

thought, Oh G.o.d, he's climbed up and fallen out. He was lying so still

on the little blue rug. I couldn't see his face. I picked him up. But

he wouldn't wake up. I shook him, and I screamed, but he wouldn't wake

up."

"Did you see anyone upstairs, Mrs. McAvoy?"

"No. There was no one upstairs. Just the baby, my baby. They took him

away, and they won't let me have him. Brian, for G.o.d's sake, why won't

you let me have him?"

"Mrs. McAvoy." Lou rose. "I'm going to do everything I can to find out

who did this. I promise you that."

"What difference does it make?" She began to cry, huge, silent tears.

"What possible difference does it make?"

It made a difference, Lou thought as he stepped into the corridor again.

It had to.

EMmA STUDIED Lou with a straightforward intensity that made him feel

awkward. It was the first time he could remember a child making him

want to check his s.h.i.+rt for stains.

"I've seen policemen on the telly," she said when he introduced himself.

"They shoot people."

"Sometimes." He groped for something to say. "Do you like television?"

"Yes. We like Sesame Street the best, Darren and l."

"Who do you like best, Big Bird or Kermit?"

She smiled a little. "I like Oscar because he's so rude."

Because of the smile, he took a chance and lowered the bed guard. Emma

didn't object when he sat on the edge of the bed. "I haven't seen

Sesame Street in a little while. Does Oscar still live in a garbage

can?"

"Yes. And he yells at everyone."

"I guess yelling can make you feel better sometimes. Do you know why