Sophie and the Baby - Part Two

Mama knew she would have to invite the captain to the Sunday gathering for Jimmy's sake. It wasn't easy to live and work in the same neighborhood. Mama didn't want the family, especially Sophie, to make things hard for Jimmy. Jimmy was due to take the sergeant's exam. Although he was taking class at John Jay, he wanted to move up in the police department. Lots of guys who took classes at John Jay ended up leaving the department to become lawyers. He didn't want to be an ambulance chaser. John Jay College of Criminal Justice was founded in 1964. Jimmy was one of the first to sign up for classes. The college was originally called the College of Police Science (COPS). Classes were held at the Police Academy on East 20th Street, where his father taught. Mama hoped the detective would be someone she knew. Jimmy being the oldest was trying so hard to set a good example for his siblings.

Det. Thomas Francis Byrnes got the call about an abandoned baby. He didn't see why a detective of his caliber was sent out on this case. A police officer and social services could handle this. Besides, it was raining cats and dogs tonight. Byrnes rolled up to the house in an unmarked car. Just then he had an epiphany. He put the name Ventura with the address. It was Jimmy Ventura and his sister who took down Salvatore Roma. What did I do? Who did I piss off? I am being punished and I don't even know why! Ok, Ok, let me just get this over with! It's routine. Get the info and call social services.

Getting out of the car, Byrnes was so distracted he forgot the umbrella. Running for the 2nd floor front door, he took the steps two at a time. By the time he reached the top of the stoop, he was soaked and annoyed. Shaking himself like Wolf, he rang the doorbell. He meets Mama Ventura opening the door. Showing his badge, "Good evening, I am Det. Thomas Byrnes. I am following up on a call that's there's an abandon baby?" Dripping water, she invites him in and immediately takes him down to the kitchen. Thinking to herself, why didn't he have a umbrella. He's not going to wet my good Oriental rug. He's definitely not sitting on my couch! Who is this they sent me? At least the kitchen has linoleum. Smiling warmly with a voice dripping with sugar, "You could use a nice cup of tea or would you rather coffee, detective? It's such a wet night to have to work." You got that right. I hope you got some Italian pastry and a glass of brandy, Byrnes is thinking. "Oh thank you Mrs., I don't want you to go to any trouble. Coffee is fine." "Let me get you a towel detective, so you can dry off" - and stop dripping on the floor I washed today Mama's thinking.

Let's get this over, quickly! Byrnes thought sipping his coffee. "Sophie! Sophie bring the baby." Sophie came down to the kitchen with the baby and Wolf. Byrnes was not happy to see such a BIG dog. Instinctively he put his hand on his gun. "He's not interested in you. He's protecting the baby," Sophie volunteered. I hope he's not the nervous type she was thinking. "You - must be Sophie." "You just heard my mother call me by name - detective?" The mouth on this one. The guys at the station were right. "We are going to get through this as quickly and painlessly as possible. I am Detective Thomas Byrnes. I am here to find out how you came into possession of the baby. Let's get started shall we." "Yes we shall Detective Byrnes. I've solved your case." Mama fell into the kitchen chair. Det. Byrnes spilled his coffee.

"The mother is someone who knows us. Not any of the neighbors or anyone at church were pregnant. But Ma you remember Mona. Mona was Jimmy's old girlfriend from high school. She married a famous, rich Italian business man who took her off to Europe. Remember the letter she wrote after she got married? She wanted you Ma to be godmother to her child, if or when she got pregnant. She really trusted you more than her own family." "Sophie where are getting all of this? We haven't heard from Mona in more than a year." "Yes I know but in last week's paper, there was a story about Tabacchi v Harrison. Mona Harrison that was her name. Well anyway, the story said the American wife married an Italian husband. They lived in Italy where their child was born. The marriage was replete with acts of physical and emotional abuse, according to the newspaper. The mother disappeared with the child. It is assumed the mother returned to the United States. Mr. Tabacchi was seeking custody rights with proof of significant involvement in his child's life. He fed her, bathed her, played with her, gave her medication, and performed other parental duties. Mona would not want the court to return the child to Italy. Her husband is a very powerful man with lots of money. He said he will seek criminal charges against his wife and will take all steps to insure that she is criminally prosecuted. She left the baby because she knew we would take care of her."

"How can you be so sure of all of this? Have you spoken to the mother? If you tell me the truth, you won't be involved in any criminal action. Parents who abducted their children after separation or divorce have an excellent chance of being rewarded custody of their children. State courts had virtually unlimited discretion to refuse to recognize or enforce custody decrees of sister states and foreign nations. Courts tended to give great weight to the presence of the child in the state when making custody determinations. We can protect her. Tell me where she is."

"I don't know where she is, and I - don't - lie!" "Sophie, how did you come up with such an elaborate tale? You said it yourself; we haven't heard or seen Mona in quite some time. She didn't even write to tell me about the baby if her wishes were for me to be godmother."

"The paper the letter is written on is the same stationery Aunt Izzie (Isabella) sent me for my 16th birthday. I checked that when I was upstairs. Of course the letter has the family crest stamped in gold on the creamy white sheet, but it's the same smooth writing surface. It would be a crime to use anything but a fountain pen. The tissue lining in the envelope is a bluer white. It has to be from the Pineider of Florence, Italy. The London Fog Raincoat had a hole in the pocket. I found the blue rosary you gave Mona for her wedding. It has the little engraved medal of St. Christopher on it for safe journey. Mona said that would be her something blue. Here see for yourself." "Oh my Sophie, what happened to Mona?"

"Excuse me, I'll take that letter." Examining the letter for all the details Sophie described, Byrnes read the letter.
Dear Nona,

Raising Regina has brought me nothing but the purest joy. To this day, it still feels remarkable to me to be able to say that I am a mom. I was both ecstatic and extremely frightened at the same time. I just wish I could share the experience with you.

I thought I'd be married forever, but that wasn't to be. My husband blamed me for the problem marriage, saying, first of all, "this" was my own fault...and secondly, he and I wouldn't be living happily ever after if that's what I had in my head. To say I was crushed would be a huge understatement. I was so devastated I couldn't even cry. I want to provide my baby with the stable, nurturing environment that would be so essential for her well being.

Regina was born at 2:15 am on April 18th, 1967. She was 6 lbs. 5 oz. 19 in. long. I was in awe. I just had to keep her no matter what...and I loved her with all my heart and soul. She's absolutely the most brilliant child and individual I've ever laid eyes on...and has amazed me every minute of her precious life..I love you with all my heart and soul. Everything I do...I do for you, Regina. This is why I have to leave you, so you'll be safe.

Loving you always, Mom

"It's apparent from the letter, the mother thought she and the child were in danger. The mother's wish is for someone who knows her to care for the child, and keep it safe. If the mother is this Mona person that may be why she left the baby at a policeman's house. I understand the mother trusted you but still, the police will take all precaution and the right action by searching for the mother. The child will go to social service for now." "Oh it's such a nasty night with the rain and all, might not the baby stay warm and dry. Tomorrow is soon enough to get social service involved." The baby gave a loud burp after finishing her bottle. Mama was about to change her diaper. "It sooo late detective 11 P.M. When do you get off duty? I hope you don't have to finish all that paperwork tonight."

Jimmy came into the house with his father. Since it was raining, the men knew to come in the kitchen entrance. Shaking off wet clothes, they entered the kitchen surprised to see the light on so late. Jimmy's stomach dropped like a lead ball when he saw Thomas Byrnes. "Hello detective. What's going on?" "Detective?" echoed from his father. "He's here about the baby," Sophie volunteered. "The B-A-B-Y?" -the men asked in unison. "It's a long story," Mama said. "I need a beer. Beer detective or are you still on the clock? Jimmy? Ok let's have with it." The three men drank their beers as Sophie recounted the story with evidence like she was Raymond Burrs 'Ironside' playing to a packed courtroom. When she finished, they each had another beer. Mama and the baby had long ago gone to bed. "I am so tired, good night," Sophie declared she was done with the investigation for the night. Dragging herself upstairs she wished she had Jimmy's room which was next to the kitchen.

For some reason social service didn't get paperwork on baby Regina until Monday. The events happened Friday night but no one could explain the delay. By the time social services was notified, Jimmy's friend a bailiff at Family Court got the Ventura appointed foster parents. Wolf stood watch over the baby day and night.

Det. Byrnes became at regular at the house. He seemed to always arrive around dinner time to update the family on the search for Mona. Using Sophie's investigative techniques, the police concluded Mona was the mother. She traveled through several European and South Americans cities before arriving in the United States. Mona was running from her husband and his business partners. She arrived in NYC just before the baby was found by Sophie, probably coming right from the airport. That's where the trail goes cold. It's like she fell off the face of the earth. After three months, it was a cold case.

Three months was about how long it took for the FBI to track down the leads Mona gave them. The people her husband did business with in Europe were not very nice people. The FBI and Interpol were looking for leads for years. Mona was willing to go into witness protection provided she did not have to testify in person, and her baby found a good, safe home. She reenacted that rainy night all the time. Sophie was sitting at her desk overlooking the yard. Mona was waiting for Jimmy to come home. She saw him at the station house. When she saw the light go on in the kitchen, she decided to ring the bell and leave the baby by the gate. She was happy it was Sophie that found the baby.

The government had to make it happen. The U.S. Marshals put the baby under surveillance. Mona got to see pictures of her often. Once she got to see Sophie and Wolf take Regina for a walk. It was like Sophie knew it was her in the van. Sophie stopped, smiled for no reason and took the baby out of the stroller to face the van. She put Regina back in the stroller and continued on her way, never looking at the van as it slowly drove pass. I won't tell the folks we're under surveillance. Don't want them to worry, Sophie and Jimmy sharing the same thought.