Silent Fall

voice.
    "Your baby is crying." He pointed to the infant, who made a liar out of him by sitting quietly in the car seat, considering the two of them with a confused expression.
    The woman peered around him. "I don't have a baby."
    "You must. It sure as hell isn't my baby."
    "Who are you?" she asked suspiciously. "Why are you trying to get rid of your baby?"
    "It's not mine," he repeated. "And I live there." He pointed to his door. "I'm your neighbor."
    Her wary gaze traveled slowly down his body, and Matt became very aware of his dirty black jeans, sweat- stained gray T-shirt, and black leather jacket. Putting a self-conscious hand to his face, he could feel a beard grazing his cheeks. "I just got off assignment," he said. "I don't usually look like this."
    "What do you usually look like?"
    "Well, not like this," he said in exasperation. "Look, I need some sleep, and you need to take care of this kid."
    "That's not my baby. I don't know what you're trying to pull, but --"
    "Hey, wait." He instinctively stuck his foot in the space between the door and the wall as she tried to retreat, wincing when she hit it with the door. "I really am your neighbor. Matt Winters. I've got ID." He reached for his wallet and pulled out his driver's license, holding it up so she could see it. "I'm a reporter for the San Francisco Herald . And I'd be happy to give you references if you'd just open your door and help me figure out whose baby this is."
    "That address says Chicago."
    "That's where I lived until recently. Come on, you must have seen my name on the mailbox over yours. The landlord's name is Rick Shrader. I can give you his phone number. Help me out here."
    She stared at him doubtfully, then the baby let out a howl of protest. A second later the woman released the chain and opened the door, allowing Matt his first full glimpse of his neighbor. Barefoot, in faded blue jeans, a short-cropped bright yellow sweater, and a lacy white veil, she made quite an impression. But it wasn't just her crazy attire that caught him off guard, it was her gold-flecked brown eyes and the sun-streaked blond hair that cascaded halfway down her back when she self-consciously pulled off her veil.
    "It's not what you think," she murmured.
    "I wasn't going to ask."
    She gave him an embarrassed half smile. "Good."
    "So, wedding night fantasy with the boyfriend?"
    "I thought you weren't going to ask."
    "Sorry."
    She stepped around him and knelt down next to the baby. "Oh, you sweet little thing. Who are you?"
    The baby began to cry louder, tiny fingers closing into fists as it squirmed in its seat.
    "I think it wants to get out," Matt said.
    The woman undid the straps and slowly pulled the baby into her arms, a somber expression in her eyes as she looked at the infant, then at him. "Are you telling me that this baby was just left here in the hall?"
    "It sure looks that way."
    "I don't understand."
    Matt shrugged. He certainly didn't have an explanation.
    "She's so precious," the woman murmured as the baby nuzzled into her chest.
    Matt cleared his throat as he realized he was staring at his neighbor's breasts with fascination, and she was once again regarding him with suspicion.
    "Are you sure you don't know who she is?" the woman asked.
    "I wasn't even sure it was a she."
    "Pink sleeper, pink blanket, pink socks. I think it's safe to say she's a girl. Maybe one of your girlfriends left her for you."
    Matt stiffened. "No way. That baby is not mine. I can guarantee you that."
    The woman patted the baby's behind. "One thing is for sure. She's soaking wet. You should change her."
    "Or you. After all, she's in the middle of the hallway, maybe even closer to your door than to mine." He inwardly groaned at his lame comment. "Didn't you hear her crying? Why didn't you open your door?"
    "I was listening to music. I didn't hear a thing," she explained. "Fine, I'll change her, but you're not going anywhere," she added as she saw him edging toward his apartment.
    She stood up with the baby in her arms. "Rick Shrader did tell me you were an okay guy, so I guess you can come in. But I'm warning you I've taken self-defense. So don't think you can try anything with me."
    Matt had to bite back a smile. She was barely five foot three if she was an inch. He had almost a foot on her, and he didn't doubt for a second that he couldn't take her anywhere he wanted to go. But judging by the fierce expression in her eyes, he'd be better off agreeing, so he simply held up his hand