“Missing baby? Emma gave up a baby for adoption?”

“No, not Emma. Her mother. And that’s why we need your help.”

“Okay, Emma’s mother gave up a child for adoption,” I said.

“We’re not exactly sure.” Chelsea gestured as if she were giving a speech, hands palms out to me. “And there’s the problemo, Abby. Emma got like, so whacked out when we mentioned her missing sister.”

Stu looked at me. “I told Chelsea that Emma must not have realized we had the info on the missing kid before she signed on for the show. She was taken off guard, and now she wants out of her contract.”

Chelsea flashed an angry glance at Stu. “She’s not getting out of anything.” She paused, took a deep breath, then smiled at me. “Production delays. Very frustrating. But Emma will have America in tears. She is amazing. Reality Check wants to pay her back for all the suffering she’s endured in her short life. We plan to make magic for Emma and her family, Abby. Magic for the world to see. That’s what we do. That’s who we are.” Broader smile, tooth veneers really gleaming now.

“Okay. You’ve got me as confused as Jennifer Lopez’s ring finger. Could we start over, maybe in chronological order?”

Chelsea laughed-an unattractive snorting laugh that gave me a perverse sense of satisfaction.

“You are so cute, Abby,” she said. “Everyone on the set will fall in love with you and that great Texas accent. I really hope you’ll let us get you on tape.”

Stu cleared his throat. “From what I hear about the referral letter, Emma’s missing sister would be about fifteen now.”

Thank goodness someone had taken their Ritalin today and knew how to stay on track. “And where’s Emma’s mother?” I looked back and forth between them.

“She disappeared in 1997,” Chelsea said. “As I said, Emma has been raising this family, been doing the most fantastic-”