The brass. Parker Center?

It came through Parker, but who knows where it started? Couple of weeks later, Leverage got back to us, but they basically chose who we could talk to.

You think Leverage is hiding something?

Maddux smirked automatically, but Darcy was more considered.

I don't know, Cole. Maybe they just didn't want their clients linked to a murder investigation. I get that. But most people are murdered by people they know. A wife gets murdered, the first person you look at is the husband. Doesn't matter if he's the greatest guy in the world, you look at him because that's how it works. You clear the people who were the closest to the vic first, then work your way out. We weren't allowed to clear Leverage.

Maddux said, Agazzi was close. He lived right down the hall.

Darcy sighed, tired of hearing about Agazzi. He had probably been sighing like that for as long as they were partners.

We know she left the dinner event alone, but we don't know if she stopped on her way home. It's possible she picked up someone, but I'm thinking this guy was waiting for her.

Because they went for a walk.

That's right. If she asked some dude back to her place, they're going inside. So I'm thinking she got home and found someone waiting. Then one or the other of them says let's take a walk. Probably the male because he already has it in his head to kill her and wants to lead her in the right direction. There was no reason for them to walk south that time of night. Maddux and I made the walk, man. All the action is north on Melrose. I think she knew the guy, she was comfortable with him, and he led her into the kill zone.

The corner of Maddux's mouth curled.

You see this woman going for a stroll with a creep like Lionel Byrd?

I smiled.

No, Maddux. I don't.

Which means if Byrd did the deed, he stalked her or the whole thing was a chance encounter. If you buy either one, you have to buy she went for a walk that night by herself, in the bad direction with no open shops and nothing but darkness, in heels. In heels, for Chrissake. That's bullshit.

Darcy stared at his partner as if he was thinking it through for the thousandth time, then finally shrugged.

That's where we were when they pulled the plug, Cole. We believe she knew the killer. I believe she was seeing someone on the sly. If we were still on it, we'd be all over Leverage. Especially now with what you've told us.

The three of us sat in their car under the elm in silence. I thought through everything and tried to put their information in some kind of usable order.

What happened with the video?

Don't know. Some task force douche picked it up before my brother-in-law could get to it.