Again, I could see Nestor, like a scene unfolding on a TV drama, still following little Shirley. Had he spoken to her in the elevator? Maybe. Maybe not. He was still undecided, so he followed her to the door of her apartment. Wait—very likely, he had made friends with her on the elevator. He saw her push button seven—
Well, well! Do you live on the seventh floor?
Yes, I do.
Then we're neighbors. I live on the seventh, too. I just moved in. Do you live with your mommie and daddy?
Just my mommie. My daddy doesn't live with us anymore.
And, since he knew that mommie was in the park, he could guess that the apartment was empty.
All that went through my mind like a bolt of lightning. I said: "The apartment! Come on!"
The Duke, looking a little puzzled, followed me to the door of 706. I put my ear against the door and listened. Nothing. Then I eased the key in and flung the door open.
No one in the living room. I raced for the bedroom. No one in there, either, but the clothes closet door was shut.
When I opened it, we saw a small, dark-haired girl lying naked and unconscious on the floor.