"Dr. Helfgott? He's okay, not around much. Day to day, Rollins runs the place."

"Know any of the teachers?"

"Know 'em by sight, that's all," said Walkowicz. "Everyone goes in and out, I'm in my cage watching. The invisible man. Take my advice: Don't retire, just die on the job."

"I'm working on that, Herb."

Walkowicz laughed. "So you want to go in? I got a key to that big front gate. Only problem is, I have to let the office know before I let anyone through and when Rollins finds out it's you she's for sure gonna make a stink. Last time she told me not to let you get within twenty feet."

"Call her and tell her we're being obnoxious, then put me on the line."

"Yeah," said the guard. "That would be better."

Ten minutes later, Mary Jane Rollins emerged swinging a royal-blue book bag marked with the school's crest. She wore a charcoal pin-striped pantsuit, red flats, a withering frown.

"Here." Thrusting the bag. "I'm sure you could've gotten one on eBay."

"Nothing like straight from the source," said Milo. "How much is it gonna cost me?"

"Oh, please. What I don't see is why you need it to identify Martin. You already know what he looks like."

"It's called careful documentation, Doctor."

"Of what?"

"Everything associated with a case."

"So Martin is... we still haven't seen him. Not for days."

Matter-of-fact, not the least bit upset.

I said, "What's he like, Dr. Rollins?"

"In what sense?"

"What kind of kid is he, personality-wise?"

"I have no idea."

"While he was here you didn't have much contact with him?"

"Nothing out of the ordinary."

"No special attention," I said, "despite his circumstances."

"We were acutely aware of his circumstances. That's why we paid to hire a tutor for him. Obviously that didn't work out."

Irritation, not a trace of horror.

"So he got no other help besides tutoring?"

"Such as?"

"Counseling, maybe from someone on the faculty who knew him well."

"Sir," she said, "we have two hundred and ninety-three students preselected for intelligence, character, and the ability to reason independently. That means minimal need for babysitting."

"Other than academic tutoring."

"That is a matter among students, their families, and their tutors. Our paying was an additional courtesy we extended Martin. Obviously, it didn't work out as we'd hoped. Now, in the future, if you people believe there's something you absolutely must have immediately, use the phone." Crooked smile. "During these days of fiscal austerity, I'd think city agencies would prefer to save on gasoline."

Milo said, "We like the personal touch."

"Good day, gentlemen."

"Thanks for your cooperation, Doctor."

"I'm not cooperating," said Rollins. "I'm acquiescing."

When she was back behind the gates, Herb Walkowicz whistled softly through his teeth. "Welcome to my world."

"Working with Stan Creighton was better, Herb?"

"Let me tell you something about Stan. He used to be a good guy before he got involved."

"Involved with what?"