Diana Racine 02 - Goddess of the Moon

she were asking permission to speak. He nodded. “Yes, that’s Dudley,” she said in a soft voice. “He sometimes helps out here. In return for a bed, many men offer their services. I haven’t seen him in a while, though. ”
    “Do you have an address for him?” Lucier asked.
    “I doubt he has one,” she said , “ which is why he comes here.”
    “Check with the others, will you?” Slater said. “See if anyone knows more about him.”
    She nodded again at Slater and left the room.
    “Beautiful, isn’t she?” Slater said when she left. “A runaway. S he showed up here a few months ago, pregnant and alone. Her father sexually abused her. The child was his. Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on your point of view , she miscarried. She stayed on, grateful to have found a safe place. She’s smart and efficient.”
    “And obviously qui te devoted to you,” Diana said. “Do many young girls in her condition come here?”
    “ I don’t know about devoted, but m y staff and I treat those who come here with kindness and respect . Women like Brigid respond. W e have an open door policy. Most women who come here seek refuge from abusive lifestyles. Others have fallen on hard times and have no place to go. We give them meals and clothes, ask no questions, and offer no counsel other than a sympathetic ear. When they ’re ready to face the world, we help them find work. We hope those abused women won’t go back to th eir former lives, but many do.”
    “How do you get your contributions?” Lucier asked.
    “As I said, donations. They’re a matter of public record, but I bet you’re referring to Jeanine Highsmith.”
    “Who’s she?” Lucier said.
    Slater smiled. “Ah, Lieutenant, I’m sure you checked me out before you came here and learned of the lawsuit slapped against me and the mission last year. Ms. Highsmith made that donation of her own free will, and I gratefully accepted. We used the money to purchase more beds, food, and supplies. For some reason, she accused me of defrauding her. Nothing could be further from the truth. She later dropped the charges.”
    “You seem to know my mind, Mr. Slater,” Lucier said. “Don’t tell me there are two psychics in the room.”
    “Hardly. I just know how people think. They assume places like this are fronts, and that people like me pocket the money and one day disappear into an early and comfortable retirement. I assure you that’s not the case here. Sunrise Mission was my idea, but the state monitor s us closely . I solicit donations and, along with the overseer, recommend how the money should be allocated. But I don’t handle it.”
    “ Have other girls come here in the same situation as Brigid?”
    “You mean pregnant and victims of incest ? No, and we don’t save all those who do. Not that I’m in the savior business, but we do what we can.”
    Brigid came back into the room. “I asked around. No one here has any idea about Dudley, Lieutenant Lucier. Is that all, Brother Osiris?”
    “Yes, Brigid, that’s all . T hank you.” A slight bow of her head and she was gone.
    Diana watched her go. “And you, Mr. Slater, mentioned being broken in to pieces and put back together like your mythological counterpart. What’s your story?”
    “Oh, I’m afraid it would bore you. Let’s just say that I’ve seen hell, and it made a huge impression on me.” He paused. “Anyt hing else I can help you with?”
    “No, I don’t think so, but if Deems shows up, I’d appreciate a call.” Lucier handed Slater his card.
    Slater turned to Diana. “If you don’t mind my asking, are you officially involved in this investigation? I seem to recall that after your shocking experience recently, you said you were leaving the entertainment business and would no longer assist the police in finding missing persons.”
    “That’s true, but I could hardly ignore the disappearance of an infant. I haven’t been much help locating her, but I don’t give up easily.”
    “I wish you success.”
    “Thanks,” Lucier said.
    Diana stopped in front of the bookcase on the way out of the office. “I see you’re a student of religion. Are you a devotee of one in particular?”
    “I follow no religion but am interested in all of them. I’m a disciple of faith and reverence. I’ve seen some dreadful things in my life. Things that make me respect the power of evil. One must never be complacent. It is only then that the soul is damned.”
    “ W hat happens