Diana Racine 02 - Goddess of the Moon

good to be back, but then he thought of Diana next to him in bed, her lithe , bikini-clad figure on the beach , and he couldn’t get the words out.
    “Detective Beecher,” Diana said formally.
    “Ms. Racine,” he countered with a sly grin.
    “Will you two stop it ? ” Lucier said.
    Diana soft-punched Beecher in the arm. “Hi, Sam.”
    “Diana . You’re looking well. ” Be e cher led them to the baggage claim . “ Cash is parked in a marked car outside the entrance. He’ll drive your car and we’ll follow him t o the Seaver house. ” He said to Diana , “That’s the family name of the kidnapped baby. I brought what we have for you to read on the way , Lieutenant.”
    “ Excellent ,” Lucier said. After picking up their luggage , they headed to the waiting car .
    “Glad you ’re back, Lieutenant ,” Detective Willy Cash said . “ You too, Ms. Racine.”
    “Nice to be back.” Diana shot a glance at Lucier . “Kind of , ” she mumbled.
    The lustful look Diana had on her face bumped up Lucier ’s heart rate, and he squeezed her knee. When they got to his car, he tossed Cash his keys , and Beecher got in the driver’s seat . Lucier turned his attention to the report while t he two cars headed to the Seaver house , situated in a quiet Metairie suburb.
    “ The mother put the baby in the bassinet , ” Beecher said . “ T hen when she and her husband went to check on her a couple of hours later, she was gone. The w indow had been pried open. Mrs. Seaver is under sedation. Mr. Seaver is expecting us. All CSU f ound were the parents’ prints and the footprints outside the window . Agent Stallings is working with us on the case. ”
    “ Ralph ’s a good man, ” Lucier said . ” Does t he captain know about Diana ?”
    “ Yup. He thinks it’s fine as long as we keep her name quiet . I f the public finds out Diana’s on the case, all hell will break lo o se. Jake Griffin will be on her tail , pen in hand, salivating for a story.”
    “ Heaven help us ,” Diana said. “Besides, you all know I may get absolutely no reading. And don’t say a word about looking for an out, okay, Sam?”
    “I wasn’t gonna say a thing. I’m over that. Saw for myself you’re no phony. Took me awhile, but I’m a believer.”
    “Good. That’s what I need. A believer.”
    ” Any idea how this guy zero ed in on the baby ? ” Lucier asked .
    “ Dunno ,” Beecher answered. “ The Seavers took the baby home from the hospital ’s birthing center yesterday morning. They can’t think of anyone who’d want to harm them . ”
    “Any of the Seaver neighbors report anything unusual?”
    “Nope, and we made a thorough canvass.”
    “Someone from the hospital?”
    “Could be. We have the hospital tapes from the last few days. Halloran ’s checking them now to s ee if anyone looks suspicious. ”
    “Good work.” Still, with all the visitors and employees in and out of the hospital, finding the right person was like extracting a specific drop of water from the ocean . He studied the report until Beecher stopped the car in the driveway of the Seaver residence.
    Mr. Seaver answered the door before anyone chime d their presence . “I didn’t want the bell to disturb my wife. She’s terribly distraught, as I am. Come in.”
    “Lieutenant Ernie Lucier, Mr. Seaver.” They shook hand s and Lucier introduced both Beecher and Cash, saving Diana for last.
    “I’ve seen you perform ,” Mr. Seaver said . “ I’m glad you’re here .”
    “I’m sorry it’s under these circumstances. I only hope I can be of help. ”
    “Yes, well… l et me show you the nursery.”
    Lucier squeezed Diana’s hand. He figured she was worried about not sensing anything that would help find the Seaver baby. She glanced his way and offered a quick smile. Everyone stepped away as she circled the bassinet . Lifting the crumpled blanket, she studied for a moment, closed her eyes , then stood still. An unearthly silence filled the small room.
    Lucier had seen her do this many times before, but whenever she slipped into the trancelike state, she seemed like someone else and not the woman he loved. The invasive effects varied each time ― shallow breathing, shaking, REM flutters, even fainting or rest mode, as she euphemistically called it . T he enervation that followed each foray into her otherworldly life upset him more than it did her.
    Today, Diana’s eyes pinched closed. Lucier and Beecher exchanged shrugs but made no move to