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Scarlett’s surprised expression told Marcus that this crass behavior wasn’t the lieutenant’s norm. Curious, he held his temper and sat at the table, letting Scarlett take the lead.
‘Has she been fed?’ Scarlett asked quietly.
‘Yes,’ the social worker answered. ‘Ms Church fed her, and I gave her another bottle while we waited for you. I changed her, too. I think she’s just scared and tired, but Mr O’Ba
Scarlett’s glance was equally approving. ‘That’s good.’ She took the seat on Marcus’s right, across from A
A
‘She’s at the hospital, getting very good care,’ Scarlett said. She’d called for an update on her condition as she and Marcus drove to the police station. ‘She was beaten severely.’
A
‘Mila and Erica are Tala’s family?’ Scarlett asked, and A
‘Mother and younger sister, respectively. Where are they?’ A
‘We don’t know,’ Scarlett said. ‘We were hoping they were with you.’
‘No, no.’ A
‘Why did Tabby think she’d be risking Tala’s family if she called the police?’ Marcus asked, afraid he already knew the answer.
‘She was afraid they’d be deported,’ A
‘We don’t know that either,’ Scarlett told her. ‘Tabby told us that he, his wife and daughter were taken away at gunpoint.’
‘Couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy,’ A
‘Did you know that Tala and her family were being held against their will in the house?’ Isenberg asked.
A
‘And I will,’ Marcus said, with a side look at Isenberg. ‘What about Mila and Erica? How do you know their names?’
‘Tabby told me this morning. I came to the house in my golf cart, and she brought the baby to me.’ A
She doesn’t understand, Marcus thought. A
‘Tabby asked me not to tell anyone,’ A
‘They may still be all right,’ Scarlett said soothingly. ‘Can you give us a description? Maybe sit down with a sketch artist?’
‘Like on the television?’ A
‘County,’ Scarlett told her, ‘but if you’ll work with me a little longer, I’d appreciate it. I’ll even make sure you get a ride to the hospital.’
‘All right.’ The woman sat again and folded her hands over the purse in her lap. ‘What else do you want to know?’
‘I’d like to know how you met Tabby,’ Scarlett said. ‘And when.’
‘It was early in June. I was admiring her hydrangeas,’ A
‘That sounds familiar,’ Marcus muttered, softly patting Malaya’s back as she stirred in his arms. ‘But eventually she did talk to you.’
‘Eventually. We played that little game for a couple of weeks, till one day she got up out of the chair and crossed over to me, using her walker. She introduced herself, gave me a bouquet of the hydrangea blooms, then went back into the house. I thought maybe she was a little . . . you know.’ A
Her gaze fell to Malaya. ‘But I do now. I wanted to call the police, but Tabby wouldn’t let me. She said everything was fine. She begged me not to call, said she’d send the police away if I did. I should have called. Why didn’t I call?’
Amazingly, it was Isenberg who offered comfort. ‘Because we’re socialized to mind our own business to a certain extent,’ she said, laying a hand over A
The tears were streaming down A