“The police hung on to her this morning when she reported in under the terms of her bail. I’ve just had them on the phone. I’m on my way there now.” That explained the background noises on the line. She was talking on a car phone, Lindsay realized.

“Why have they pulled her in?” she asked.

“According to the custody sergeant, they’ve got a new witness. Danny King, the boss of Monarch Press?”

“A witness to what?” Lindsay demanded.

“It’s something and nothing. He’s given a statement saying he saw Meredith hanging around outside their premises the last time Penny was visiting. I’m sure it’s nothing, but they’re clutching at straws. Is there anything you’ve come up with I should know about?”

“As of now, I’ve got zilch,” Lindsay said, her bitter tone revealing exactly who she blamed for that. “But hang on a minute,” she added, puzzled. “How come it’s taken till now for King to come forward with this statement?”

“I don’t know. I agree it’s odd.” The line started crackling, the static like emery board on fingernails. “I’ll tell you what,” she shouted. “I’ll call you back after I’ve spoken with Meredith.”

“Thanks,” Lindsay said. But the line was already dead, their conversation abruptly terminated. She looked up at Sophie and gave a lopsided smile. “What was that you said about one day not making any difference?”

“I have this funny feeling we’re going to have to forget about the day off,” Sophie sighed. “I’ll get the laptop.”

“Can’t we print this stuff out?” Sophie complained after an hour of looking over Lindsay’s shoulder at the laptop’s tiny screen.

“I haven’t got a lead that connects into Helen’s printer,” Lindsay explained.

“So let’s just stick the floppy into Helen’s PC and print from that.”

Lindsay guffawed derisively. “Helen’s PC came out of the ark. She hasn’t upgraded since before you two split up.”

Sophie groaned. “Wrong size of floppy disk?”

“Got it in one. We’re stuck with the migraine master here.”

With a sigh that made the mattress quiver, Sophie read on. “It’s very different from the first draft.”

“Mmm. It’s better, too. More hard-edged, more economical with the language. I just can’t get over how good it is,” Lindsay said without taking her eyes from the screen. “One thing’s for sure. Whoever tries to finish this has got a hell of a job on their hands.”