“There’s a lot to dig into but she was seeing someone who works in the events-planning office at the Faculty Club. Apparently he’s a vocalist who she met when he auditioned for Waitress but didn’t get the part.”

“Do they know his name?”

“They couldn’t remember it.”

“Do they have any idea why Lucy was asking about her?”

“I don’t think so. She wandered backstage as if she was looking for her and started chatting. I definitely have the impression that Elisa Vandersteel was living with this guy we saw on the sidewalk.”

“But we don’t know where.” I think of the key fob I found in her pocket.

“Not yet but it’s close enough for her to get around on a bicycle, it would seem.”

“Have you told Marino all this?” As I ask I remember that he has custody of Elisa Vandersteel’s phone, and Benton saw her talking on it the same way I did.

But he doesn’t bring it up.

“No, I’ve not told him,” he says, and it occurs to me that he’s not bringing up her phone for a reason.

Benton saw her talking on it the same as I did when we were on the sidewalk in front of the Faculty Club. He hasn’t asked about it. If I don’t mention it, he probably won’t. Maybe someone else will but Benton will feign ignorance. Why would he know that Elisa Vandersteel had a phone? And I feel sure he hasn’t told his compatriots that he encountered her not long before she died.

Already Benton is letting me know in his own subtle way that he’s not going to interfere with me even as he does.

“Do you intend to tell Marino what you’re telling me?” I ask. “And if not, when will he be informed that he’s been fired from his case?”

“No one’s been fired, Kay,” Benton says slowly, gently, in rhythm with his steps.

“Technically, maybe not.”

“I think we understand each other.”

“Yes, and what I ask is you remember the most important thing.”

“It doesn’t need to be said.”

“But I will say it anyway. She deserves the best we can give her.” I mean that Elisa Vandersteel does.

“And I have no doubt you’ll make sure she gets it, Kay. I can count on you to do what it takes.”

He’s letting me know that he personally won’t get in my way. But the Bureau is another story. Then he asks my opinion about the cause of death, and this is when we step up the tempo and the subtle moves in our dance.

I’m required to pass along information even as the parties involved interfere with me. I won’t withhold appropriate details from my FBI husband. I give him far more than I would most. But I don’t tell him everything.

CHAPTER 35