The young girl nervously clutched the hand of the police officer. She was led down a long hallway that culminated in an office. Above the door, it said:
Otto Kerner, Jr.
Governor of Illinois
The officer opened the door, allowing her to sit on a chair within the office. "Mr. Kerner, sir," said the officer, "This is Laurie."
"Hello, Laurie," Governor Kerner said, smiling in a vain effort to make the girl feel at home. The poor thing; she couldn't have been more than five. "My name is Otto. I'm going to introduce you to your foster parents."
Laurie nodded. Her eyes were large and innocent, with a curious gleam. The naivety of a child was something coveted by those who had all but lost it.
The couple hurriedly entered the office. "Hello, Laurie," the woman said. "I'm Pamela. This is my husband Morgan. Do you want to come home with us?"
Laurie got up off the chair, walking over to them. "Momma?" she asked, holding out her hand.
"That's right, dear. This is 'Papa'." Pamela gestured to Morgan, who awkwardly extended his hand as if it were a business agreement. Laurie was all too happy to shake.
The new family was hustled out of the office by the officer. Another man in a trenchcoat took their place.
"Are you sure this was the right thing to do?" he asked.
Kerner gestured for the officer to leave. "Dr. Loomis," he began in a tired fashion, "this is for everyone's best interest. I've sat on it for two years now. It isn't fair for this girl to grow up knowing who he is, what he's done - "
"She'll very well find out. There's an inquisitive nature to her. I can tell...let us hope she doesn't get herself into any sticky situations."
