Diana Racine 02 - Goddess of the Moon

asked.
    “Working class parents. Neither finished high school. The baby was returned with a ten thousand dollar check.”
    “Sounds like someone made a mistake,” Lucier said . “Did you follow up with the other parents?”
    “No, I wanted to see what you thought first. ”
    “Do it. Damn good thinking, Willy. You might have something. Sam, catch Stallings before he leaves the building. We’ll check out the parents in New Orleans ; he can check out the others. Now all we have to do is figure out if they really are targeting these babies. And if they are, why?”
    * * * * *
    L ucier made an appointment to meet Dr. Jennifer Reese and her husband, Charles Seaver, at their home. Reese, a striking woman in her early forties, put off having children to pursue a career as a molecular biologist. She and her husband, a nuclear radiologist, were anxious to talk to Lucier and help in any way to aid in the return of their daughter. Lucier showed them a series of computer generated pictures of Deems in different disguises, from: bald and clean-shaven, red-haired and bearded, to combinations of bo th with different colored hair.
    “If he was on the floor of the birthing center , I don’t recall seeing him,” Dr. Reese said.
    Her husband studied the photo. “Nor do I . Why would someone do this?”
    “To be honest, we’re not sure, but your daughter is one of four babies, maybe more, taken from parents with superior intellectual credentials. We think that’s why they were chosen.”
    “Four babies and maybe more? This is the first I’ve heard of that,” Jennifer Reese said.
    “The abductions were in different states, spread apart in time. We just made the connection when we found the work records of the man we think took your daughter at the other hospitals. Unfortunately, the man is dead, so we can’t get any information to verify if we’re right.”
    “Chosen. That would mean they’re alive,” Seaver said. “Otherwise it wouldn’t matter who their parents were, would it?”
    “We think so. Of course, it could be a coincidence. I wouldn’t want to get your hopes up. Whether or not they were chosen for a specific reason, we still have to find them. If our theory is correct, they’ll all be together.”
    The two people clutched each other. Lucier sensed their desperate optimism.
    “Do you have anything to go on?” Dr. Reese asked.
    “We’re working on some ideas but nothing concrete. I wish I could tell you otherwise.”
    “I understand Diana Racine is helping,” Dr. Seaver said. “Is that true?”
    “She has offered impressions.”
    “Impressions of what?”
    “I’d rather not say right now. I assure you we’re doing everything possible to find your daughter.”
    * * * * *
    L ucier walked through the tourist crowd o n Jackson Square on his way to meet Ralph Stallings. The historic site teemed with artists and musicians , creating its unique flavor. On occasion he’d bought artwork that hung on the iron fence to support the talented artists, some famous, who had populated the square for generations. He’d seen plays at Le Petit Theatre , eaten Creole cuisine at the many excellent bistros dotting the area , and even tipped back a few at one of the bars in the old Jax Brewery building, followed by sobering up with café au lait and bei g nets at the Café du Monde . The electricity in the square was what he loved about New Orleans―a city like no other.
    It was at one of those small bistro s where he’d arranged to meet Stall ings for lunch. The air was thick and humid. He thought the exercise would do him good, but by the time he arrived, sweat glued his shirt to his back. He found Stallings at a table near the window, nursing a glass of iced tea.
    “It’s like a sauna out there,” Lucier said, grateful for the air conditioning. He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the sides of his face.
    “You walked?”
    “Thought I needed to get off my ass. Now I not only need a shower , but it’s clear I need to get back into a regular fitness routine .” Lucier caught the waitress and ordered iced tea with extra lemon. He turned to Stallings. “What’ve you got?”
    “None of the other parents remembers seeing Ridley Deems at their respective hospitals. G ood work by your detective, Ernie. The theory that the babies were taken because of their genetic makeup gives us hope they’re still alive. From o ur investigations at the hospitals , Deems kept to himself. Janitors are part