"Not imminently," said Hauer, "but I do like to keep life well seasoned. A few years ago I rode my motorcycle from San Diego into Central America. Shortly after that, I managed to enter Myanmar--Burma--on a cargo ship. That is a place Americans are advised against visiting. I managed quite nicely for two weeks. I've lived on the isle of Gibraltar, observing the monkeys. I've studied flamenco guitar in Andalusia--as a historian, not a musician."

"So one day you might just pick up and take another adventure."

"Life is adventure."

I said, "Where are you from?"

"A place where Italians speak Spanish and think they're Germans." Smile. "Argentina. But America suits me better. The land of endless opportunity."

"Like a Ph.D. in psychology."

"Or a position at a think tank, or ten more years teaching bright, nervous kids." A big hand waved. "Whatever life brings."

"What aspect of psychology would you study?"

"I would become a master psychotherapist."

"Isn't the Ph.D. a research degree?" I said. "Least that's what my cousin the psychologist says."

"I would research becoming a master psychotherapist. My secondary topic would be psychotherapeutic valences as they enhance affective gestalt."

Gibberish; I nodded as if it were profound.

Rico Hauer said, "Dreadful, dreadful, poor Elise." Touching his chest, he blinked. All the emotional depth of a sheet of vinyl.

Milo told him about the DVD.

Hauer didn't move a muscle. Seconds ticked. A full minute of mute immobility.

Milo said, "That's a serious charge, sir. No reaction?"

"What reaction would you like? Denial? Fine, I deny. Shock and surprise? Fine, I am appalled. If I believe you."

"You think we're lying?"

"I think," said Hauer, "that the police use deception because the courts have granted legitimacy to that tactic. In fact, I cover that issue in my urban studies class, pose it to my students as a serious moral dilemma."

"No dilemma here, Mr. Hauer. Elise really did make that claim, took the time to record it on a DVD."

"Poor Elise. To engage in such delusions. Then again, she had her own moral issues."

"Such as?"

"Lack of fidelity."

"To who?"

"Some poor devil who believed she had special feelings for him."

"A boyfriend?"

"He may have thought so." Hauer smiled. "Elise enjoyed playing with his head. Used me as a vehicle for her mean little games."

"How so, Mr. Hauer?"

"She liked to phone him while we were having sex." Hauer's eyes brightened. "There you go, perhaps he found out. Jealousy's an excellent motive."

"Does the poor devil have a name?"

"Sal. Elise enjoyed making small talk with him as she wiggled in interesting ways. Sometimes she'd cover the phone and moan. Sometimes she'd hold a photograph of herself and him while she and I tangoed. So to speak."

"What kind of photograph?"