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were huddled cozily under a blue canvas umbrella. "Tell me what happened that day. The day of the wreck," Nick began, scooting closer to her si de of the table.
    Alex took a si p of her fruit-flavored ice and took a deep breath. This would not be easy, but she knew it was necessary. She would probably have to tell her story a hundred times, but she was willing, if it brought her closer to getting Jenni back. "My housekeeper, Teresa, and I went to the market Saturday. I had planned a party for some friends from the Univer si ty that night and wanted to get the freshest fruit. One of Teresa's friends was supposed to keep Jenni, but her mother got si ck at the last minute. So, we took the baby with us." She stopped suddenly and pressed her fingers against her lips.
    "What's wrong?"
    "It all seems so in si gnificant now. The reasons for going to th e market, the party . . . every thing. I'm sorry. I promised myself I wouldn't do this." She pressed at the outer corners of her eyes to diminish her tears.
    He kept his bu si nesslike reserve and tried to remain detached. "Take your time." She used the napkin to dab at her eyes, mis si ng some of the smudged mascara in the process. He wanted to grab that napkin and finish the job.
    "Well," she continued when she was more composed, "a car came around the corner. It was green."
    "What make? Did you notice?"
    She con si dered for a moment. "Chevy, I think. But old."
    "You're a good observer. Most people wouldn't remember."
    "Are you testing me? This is the truth as I know it. "
    "No," he laughed. "Just wondered how much you remembered in a time of stress. Go ahead with your story."
    "The car crashed into everything in its path, including us. I ... I lost si ght of Jenni. Then there was Teres a, lying on the si dewalk, uncon scious—"
    "Were you knocked out too?"
    "I don't remember. Maybe for a few seconds."
    "When did you start looking for Jenni?"
    She pause d, again remembering. "Five min utes. Maybe a little longer. I asked one of the bystanders to get her. But she wasn't there."
    "Have you talked to her friends? Maybe some member of Teresa's family has Jenni and intends to take care of her."
    Alex shook her head sadly. "There is no family. Teresa was from Naranjo, where her mother was killed when the volcano erupted a few years ago. There was no one else. She had no husband. I don't even know the father of her child. I took care of her funeral. Teresa's local friends have been questioned by the police. No one has seen Jenni. She has completely disappeared."
    He shook his head tightly. "I just can't buy that. She's somewhere. Someone has her."
    "Do you ... do you think she's safe?" Alex asked he si tantly, her vulnerable si de revealing her real concern. The loving, nurturing part of her, the part that cared deeply for the well-being of this child, wanted reassurances.
    Nick didn't fail to notice it. He smiled, sen si ng that she needed a po si tive answer, deciding to keep his doubts to himself for now. "Of course," he replied.
    Alex si ghed and squeezed her hands into fists. "I hope so. Oh, God, I hope so. We've got to find her! And soon!"
    The urgency in her voice again told him of deeper feelings than one might normally have for a housekee per's child. "You mentioned ear lier that you had to find your child. Alex, is she your child?"
    She smiled as tears began to fill up her large blue eyes. "No, she isn't mine. But I was there when Teresa gave birth, and feel very close to her. I'm Jenni's godmother. She has always lived with me. She was like my child, and I ... I love her. I must find her because I want her, want to adopt her ."
    Nick nodded curtly and looked away from Alex's tears. "Okay. We'll see what we can do. You understand, though, there isn't much to go on here."
    Alex quickly flicked the tears away. Now wasn't the time to get sentimental, not when she was so close to acquiring the help she needed. She had to be tough. "I understand. Where should we start? Maybe with