“But I didn’t know she was my daughter,” Wohl shot back. Then she added calmly, “I didn’t know… I was her mother.”
“Okay, I can see that.”
Diane had a sudden thought. “Oh my God, does she know I’m her mother?”
“No. I saw no reason to tell her.’Cause you’re not the one who raised the girl.”
“Do you know this Pam Dutton?”
“Never met her.”
“But do you know if she’s been good to Willa?”
“You telling me you didn’t know the woman before you gave your daughter to her?”
“It wasn’t that way. I really didn’t have a choice.”
“Everyone has a choice.”
“So can I see her without her seeing me?”
“I got a way. If you’re willing.”
Wohl rose on unsteady legs. “I’d like to see her.” Somehow this admission came out as a guilty confession.
“Give me a couple minutes.”
Diane rushed forward and clutched at his arm. “You’re not going to do anything that will hurt her?”
Quarry slowly removed the woman’s fingers from his sleeve. “I’ll be back shortly.”
Five minutes later he returned and held the door open for her. She looked at it fearfully, as though if she walked through it she would never be coming back.
Sensing this Quarry said, “I give you my word, I’ll take you to see the girl and then I’ll bring you back here.”
“Then what?”
“Then we’ll just have to see. Can’t promise you any more than that.”
CHAPTER 33
QUARRY REMOVED the board from metal hooks driven deep into the wall, opened the door, and motioned Wohl inside.
“Where is she?”
He pointed to his left. “Over there.”
Wohl spun around and stared at a small lump under the blanket on a cot against one wall. Quarry lifted off the blanket. Underneath Willa lay there, sleeping.
Wohl crept closer. “What if she wakes up?”
“I gave her something to knock her out. Good hour or so. She looks like you,” said Quarry quietly. “In the nose, the chin. You can’t see her eyes, but they’re the same color as yours.”
Wohl involuntarily nodded. She could see the resemblance too. “Willa Dutton. That’s a pretty name.”
“You didn’t name her?”
“No. I knew I was giving her up so I didn’t… I mean I couldn’t.”