I'm fine. What are we going to do about this, Alan?

The bulging eyes blinked.

About what? I'm going to let them examine the files. I don't see any reason not to cooperate.

Not the files. Byrd. He didn't kill Yvonne Bennett.

A line appeared between his eyebrows and he shook his head.

There's nothing to do, Elvis. Pinckert and Marx explained their investigation to me this morning. If I had this information three years ago, I would not have taken his case.

I expected Levy to be angry, but he wasn't. Alan Levy was never reversed. Levy was the guy who got the other guy reversed. Instead, he looked sad.

Alan, we proved he could not have killed Yvonne Bennett. We proved it.

Levy studied me for a moment, then spread his hands.

I make up stories. That's my job, Elvis. Making up stories within the defined parameters of an established structure. That's what I do.

Talking to a genius is hard work.

I don't know what you're talking about.

The law. I start with a list names, dates, events, whatever information on a page, facts without a narrative structure. My job is to frame those facts with a narrative, you see? A story. The opposing counsel, they have exactly the same facts, and they have to make up a story, too. The facts are the same, but the stories are always different. Same facts, two different stories, and whoever tells the best story convinces the jury. I am very good with my stories, Elvis. I can take a list of facts, any facts at all, and create the most wonderful stories. I do that better than almost anyone.

I was growing impatient. He was giving a lecture in narrative theory, and I was the retard who couldn't keep up.

What does this have to do with Lionel Byrd?

I'm not saying I couldn't prove it again. I'm telling you I wouldn't take the case. Chief Marx and Ms. Pinckert were very open with me this morning. I wasn't always polite, but they were patient. They convinced me.

They convinced you Byrd was good for the killings.

Yes.

Because he had these pictures.

They were thorough in their presentation. Tell you the truth, I was impressed.

I've seen scans of the album. I know how they broke it down and what they found with the camera and the film packs. Having this album doesn't mean he killed them.

Levy raised his eyebrows.

I'm not the only one who's had a meeting.

All the album means is Byrd and the person who took the pictures were somehow connected.

I made the same point. These people aren't stupid, Elvis. They investigated the possibility of a second killer or some sort of an association, but found nothing to support that idea no likely suspects were identified through his call register, nothing was found in his residence or vehicle, and no forensics belonging to anyone else was found on the album or pictures.