"Looking back," said Kham, "I know she used me to launder the money. Because prior to that, she'd been claiming financial hardship, her ex was withholding all sorts of assets from her. All of a sudden, she presented me with a cashier's check for three oh nine. When I asked her where it came from, she said savings and changed the subject. Back then, I was love-stupid so I let it go. But I held on to the receipt--it's in here. Drawn on a bank in Studio City. When I heard about what her sister had done, I figured you should know."

"We should, Doc. Thanks very much."

"Thank me," said Kham, "by helping me get my five twenty back. She can keep the interest, it's dirty money, I don't want any part of it."

"Sounds like your parents raised you right."

"So they'd say, Lieutenant."

CHAPTER 40

CHAPTER
40

A week after Tristram Wydette and Quinn Glover bargained for their lives, the police chief gave a press conference describing the arrest as "the product of meticulous investigation and precisely the type of corruption I'm committed to eradicating."

Among the cadre of suits surrounding him was Captain Stanley Creighton. Milo was nowhere to be seen.

I called and asked him about it.

"If I wanted to be an actor, I would've learned to wait tables."

The following morning, at eight a.m., an aide to the chief got through to my private line and asked me to "confer" with her boss in three hours.

"At his house, Dr. Delaware, if you don't mind."

"Not at all."

"Great, I'll give you the address."

I already had it, but no sense editing her script.

When she hung up, I gave Milo another call.

He said, "Rick and I are going over travel stuff. We were thinking Hawaii, but maybe the Atlantic deserves us. Ever been to the Bahamas?"

"Never. My travel plans extend to Agoura. Want to drive together?"

"I would if I was invited, Alex."

"Oh."

"Guess I'm the lucky one."

"I wonder what he wants."

"Maybe he'll sweeten the job offer."

"There ain't enough sugar in Hawaii," I said. "Same goes for whatever they grow in the Bahamas. Okay, keep you posted."

"Here's my post: John says Tristram's lawyers are panicking for a quick transfer to Corcoran."

"That's a tough place. County Jail decor doesn't cut it?"

"Getting the shit beat out of you by some resident County gangbangers doesn't fit young T's lifestyle. The fervent hope is isolation with the snitches and the child molesters and the white-collar mopes will help."

"There you go," I said. "Everything's about connections."

In the daylight, the chief's spread was scragglier but more appealing. Like the set of an old western movie.

Hot day in Agoura, despite impending autumn. He sat in the same rocker, wearing a black suit, white shirt, and red tie that had to be cooking him. The three metal folding chairs to his left soaked up full, punishing sun.