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 God, 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 God'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 shirt 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