I had purposes for no longer telling you in regards to the DeLaCroixs. solid purposes. ” “I don’t think you. ” “Let’s have dinner this night. Me, you, El, Reneaux. I prepare dinner an exceptional gumbo. ” “No. in no way. ” “Doctor Levant. ” Reneaux used to be drawling back, the nice ole southern boy allure. “Three girls lifeless. Your buddy Jacques. ” He acknowledged “friend” with none sarcasm. “There’s a development the following. At dinner, we will be able to discuss it. might be remedy this puzzle. ” “Only puzzle I care approximately is getting child Doe—home. My domestic. ” “I comprehend. ” “No, you don’t, DuLac. ” Reneaux bent towards her ear. “Settle down, document. Marie. supply him an opportunity. ” DuLac seemed sad-eyed, and Marie felt livid at herself for feeling sorry for him. “I can’t. ” “You suggest you won’t? whilst the baby’s yours, and it'll be one day—my in simple terms prophecy—you going to inform her you didn’t aid locate her mother’s killer? ” Marie trembled. DuLac’s phrases damage. a part of her didn’t care concerning the murdered mom. She sought after the newborn. secure. together with her. yet how may perhaps she, a physician, no longer care approximately demise from unnatural motives? She did care. the entire murdered women could’ve been her child, her child grown right into a younger lady, then killed for no cause. another healthcare professional will be puzzling over why one other younger lady needed to die. DuLac towered over her. He whispered, “Don’t you recognize New Orleans be town of Sin? ” Wonderingly, Marie stared at him. Reneaux murmured, “I’m optimistic extra everyone is going to die. ” “Women,” Marie responded, understanding it was once precise. “More ladies are going to die. ” Jacques used to be an anomaly—she used to be convinced of it. Marie seemed again on the physique. There wouldn’t be any sirens for a forensic staff. simply extra males analyzing this negative woman. examining? Why’d she imagine that? In her mind’s eye, she may see the woman undressed on a mattress . . . undressed on a metal analyzing desk. In every one case, she used to be surrounded via males. Reneaux used to be gazing her, sympathetic, involved. DuLac’s face used to be a masks. “Eight o’clock? ” The glass doorways slid open. She stopped halfway via. “Reneaux, is a being pregnant attempt normal technique? DuLac exhaled: “You imagine? ” “I don’t recognize what i feel. the opposite women—” she stopped, phrases catching in her throat. “Murdered,” stated Reneaux. “The ones murdered? ” Marie nodded. “Were they checked for being pregnant? ” “Why could you think? ” DuLac requested. “I don’t recognize. ” “If not,” stated Reneaux, “we’ll get a courtroom order to exhume them. effortless adequate. ” In New Orleans, our bodies have been buried above flooring. Marie had by no means visited a Louisiana cemetery, yet she imagined crypts defined via Poe. Walled-off tombs; in all probability infants, fetuses, demise of their mother’s stomach. Buried two times over. rattling, she was once changing into morbid. “See you after the shift. ” the automated doorways slid close. The air conditioner buzzed. She’d scream if she spent one other moment status over a useless physique with Reneaux and DuLac. * * * drained, hungry, Marie entered notes on a bit girl’s chart. Ear an infection left too lengthy. Pus-filled canals. She’d write a prescription, a recheck, then be long gone, downstairs to the cafeteria for a four-o’clock lunch.