“Then why are you assigned to it?” asked Eric the Viking, very reasonably, I thought. LaGuerta showed shark teeth. “I solved the other one,” she said. “But you're sure this is a brand-new killer, Detective?” Rick Sangre asked. “There's no question. I can't tell you any details, but I got lab work to back me up.” I was sure she meant me. I felt a small thrill of pride. “But this is kind of close, isn't it? Same area, same general technique—” Eric the Viking started. LaGuerta cut him off. “Totally different,” she said. “Totally different.” “So you're completely satisfied that McHale committed all those other murders and this one is different,” Nick Something said. “One hundred percent,” LaGuerta said. “Besides, I never said McHale did the others.” For a second, the reporters all forgot the horror of not having pictures. “What?” Nick Something finally said. LaGuerta blushed, but insisted, “I never said McHale did it. McHale said he did it, okay? So what am I supposed to do? Tell him go away, I don't believe you?”

Eric the Viking and Nick Something exchanged a meaningful glance. I would have, too, if only there had been someone for me to look at. So instead I peeked at the central head on the altar. It didn't actually wink at me, but I'm sure it was just as amazed as I was.

“That's nuts,” Eric muttered, but he was overrun by Rick Sangre. “Are you willing to let us interview McHale?” Sangre demanded. “With a camera present?”

We were saved from LaGuerta's answer by the arrival of Captain Matthews. He clattered up the stairs and stopped dead as he saw our little art exhibit. “Jesus Christ,” he said. Then his gaze swung to the group of reporters around LaGuerta. “What the hell are you guys doing up here?” he asked.

LaGuerta looked around the room, but nobody volunteered anything. “I let them in,” she said finally. “Unofficially. Off the record.” “You didn't say off the record,” Rick Sangre blurted out. “You just said unofficially.” LaGuerta glared at him. “Unofficially means off the record.” “Get out,” Matthews barked. “Officially and on the record. Out.” Eric the Viking cleared his throat. “Captain, do you agree with Detective LaGuerta that this is a brand-new string of murders, a different killer?” “Out,” Matthews repeated. “I'll answer questions downstairs.” “I need footage,” Rick Sangre said. “It will only take a minute.” Matthews nodded toward the exit. “Sergeant Doakes?”

Doakes materialized and took Rick Sangre's elbow. “Gentlemen,” he said in his soft and scary voice. The three reporters looked at him. I saw Nick Something swallow hard. Then they all three turned without a sound and trooped out.

Matthews watched them go. When they were safely out of earshot he turned on LaGuerta. “Detective,” he said in a voice so venomous he must have learned it from Doakes, “if you ever pull this kind of shit again you'll be lucky to get a job doing parking lot security at Wal-Mart.”