"What kind of proof do you want?" Joe asked.

"It sounds like you found Jane too easily. I want the welfare people to go through all their records, both city and county, and make sure Jane is the only one who fits the profile. And have that FBI agent, Spiro, come by and talk to me. I trust the FBI." She glanced at Joe. "No offense, but my kids have had problems with the local police and I don't like you showing up with this TV man."

Eve looked at Joe. If Dom didn't want the police involved, he wouldn't be pleased at seeing the FBI there.

He shrugged. "I don't like it either, but we have located the little girl. He can't move on her without our knowing it now."

Eve turned back to Fay. "Then it's settled. You'll talk to Robert Spiro. Please listen to him. We've told you what a problem we're having with Family Services."

"I promise to listen. No more than that." She stood up. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have housework to do and then I have to go to the grocery store." She said to Eve, "Sorry, but I have to be sure. Jane's a tough proposition. This may blow any chance I have of reaching her."

"For God's sake, help us."

"I'll do what I can. Right now she's at Crawford Middle School on Thirteenth Street." Fay walked to the chest across the room, rummaged through the top drawer, and handed a photograph to Eve. "That's her school picture from last year. She gets out at three and walks home. It's only four blocks. Keep an eye on her, but I don't want you talking to her." Her lips firmed. "If you scare her, I'll scalp you."

"Thank you." Eve thrust the photo into her purse. "But you're making a mistake."

Fay shrugged. "I've made a lot of them, but I can only do my best. I've had twelve foster children in the past six years and I think most of them are better for being with me." She moved to the door and opened it. "Good-bye. Give me proof and we'll work something out."

Mark Grunard said as they reached the street, "Tough lady. Evidently, she isn't easily impressed by my fame and sparkling personality."

"I like her." Eve scowled. "Though I'd like to break her neck. Why wouldn't she listen?"

"She believes she's doing what's best for the kid," Joe said. "And she's not about to take anyone's word without thinking it over first."

"So what do we do now?" Mark asked.

"You go home and get some sleep. You were up all night," Joe said. "As soon as we get to the car, we'll call Spiro and ask him to come down and talk to Fay Sugarton." He looked at Eve. "And then I assume this afternoon we watch the school and make sure the kid gets home all right?"

She started toward the car. "That's the plan."

"I' M TIED UP here. I can't come right now," Spiro said.

"It can't be that important. We need you," Eve told him.

"It's important enough." He paused. "We found another body on the bank across the falls. They're digging up the entire area to see if there are any more."

"God." That made twelve bodies. How many more?

"But I'll try to break away tonight and drive down. I won't be able to stay long."

"When can you get here?" Eve asked.

"I'll be there before nine, and we'll go to see the lady together," he said wearily. "Is that all right?"

"It will have to be if you can't get here before that."

Joe took the phone from her. "We're not going back to the cottage tonight. Send Charlie down here in case I have to leave Eve for any length of time." He listened. "No, we don't want Charlie to talk to Fay Sugarton. He has about as much presence and authority as one of her foster kids. We need you to impress her. What about Spalding from CASKU? Okay, if he's gone back to Quantico, you get down here yourself. I don't care if it sounds like an order. It is an order." He hung up.

"You didn't handle him very diplomatically," Eve said. "He's trying to help us."

"As long as it means catching Dom."

"It's his job to catch killers."

"Not quite. He's a profiler. He's supposed to analyze and report, not join in the chase." His lips tightened. "But now he wants that bastard almost as much as we do."

"We should be grateful for that."

"I'm grateful." Joe scowled. "Sometimes. When he doesn't put Bureau business in front of protecting--"

"Shut up, Joe."

He made a face. "Okay, Spiro's only doing his job. I suppose I'm a little uptight."

He wasn't the only one. Eve's nerves were strung taut.

Joe started the car. "Come on, I'll buy you a hamburger at the Varsity and then we'll go on to the school."

"MY GOD, I' D forgotten how fast kids can move when they get out of school." Joe chuckled. "They're like a herd of buffalo heading for water. Did you go to this school?"

"No, it wasn't here when I was growing up." Her gaze searched the crowd of children. "I don't see any redheads. Where is she?"

"You have a photograph." He paused. "I've been wondering why you haven't looked at it since you got it."

"I didn't think of it."

"Sure?"

She glanced at him. "Of course I'm sure. Stop reading significance into a simple oversight."

"There's nothing simple about you. It's time to look at the photograph, Eve."