CHAPTER SEVEN

Munch pounded on the door of the apartment. "Mr. Kohler, it's the police. Open up!"

They could hear running water and indistinguishable yelling from inside. Munch knocked yet again, more loudly. No response. Munch stepped back to allow his explosive partner to take part in one of his favorite on-the-case activities: kicking a door in.

They bolted straight for the kitchen, where they froze at the sight that greeted them. Kohler was holding his tiny daughter by the waist, her head under the water overflowing the sink. He pulled her out as soon as they entered. She was sobbing and coughing.

"You put her down right now," said Fin. "Put her down!"

Kohler put Zippy down on the floor. She curled up and kept choking. Kohler put his arms up.

"Daniel Kohler, you are under arrest for child abuse. You have the right to remain silent…" said Munch as he put the cuffs on the religious man.

"Come here, baby," said Fin, gently picking up Zipporah and turning off the water. "I got you. It's okay."

Zippy clung tight to Fin, arms around his neck. The poor thing was positively howling. Fin looked at Kohler being led out by Munch and wished that none of those rights applied to him. He bundled Zipporah up in his coat and followed his partner out the door.

When Kohler was brought in, Elliot hadn't been at the station for more than ten minutes, being briefed by Olivia. He didn't pay much attention until he saw Fin carrying in a sleeping child.

"Who is she?" he asked.

"This is Kohler's youngest daughter, Zipporah. We caught him holding her head under the water."

"What?" Elliot gasped, looking at the little girl. She looked like a cherub.

"No idea why. But apparently, there's a history of abuse with this guy."

Zipporah stirred on Fin's shoulder and turned her head so she was facing his neck. Elliot's eyes widened when he saw the bruise on her face, which stood out in sharp relief against her pale skin.

"Could you take her? I've got to interrogate," said Fin.

Elliot couldn't speak, but he nodded and took Zippy into his arms, very gently, the way he had held his children when they were small enough. Her hair was still wet and even though she was wrapped in Fin's coat, she was still cold. Elliot stroked her soaked curls as Olivia gazed at him in horror.

"Look at that face," said Olivia. "How can anyone look into a face like that and want to cause her pain?"

"The same way they can look into the same face and rape them."

"You think he raped Zippy?"

"Not Zippy. You saw how much she and Rivky resemble each other," said Elliot.