"That I'd never have gotten in."

A navy Bentley Continental rolled up. Pretty black girl staring straight ahead and chewing gum energetically, gigantic dad at the wheel wearing a white tracksuit. Several seasons since he'd performed buzzer-beaters for the Lakers.

"Whole different world here," said Milo, rubbing his face. "C'mon, Marty, show yourself."

By eighty forty-two, the last car had passed through, with no sign of Martin Mendoza.

Milo said, "Onward," and we continued on foot. The cobblestone was smooth under my shoes, as if someone had hand-polished every inch. Monumental Chinese elms flanked the drive, creating a shady allee. As we got closer, smidges of youthful vocalization filtered from behind the school's facade, but the rustle of leaves in the breeze was louder.

Rounding a curve exposed the guardhouse. Two people walked toward us.

Woman in a black pantsuit speeding several steps in front of a large man in a khaki uniform.

Headmaster Mary Jane Rollins said, "Oh, it's you," in a flat voice. "I've just fielded a storm of complaints."

The guard remained behind her, hands folded on his buckle. Midsixties, beefy and ruddy, with piercing blue cop eyes that transcended retirement. Flashlight and walkie-talkie on his belt, no gun. A brass name tag read Walkowicz. Rollins's back to him gave him the courage to wink at us.

Milo said, "Complaints about what, Doctor?"

"Two men lurking at the entrance," said Rollins. "Needless to say, parents were alarmed."

"Never been called a lurker, Doctor."

"I fail to find humor in the situation, Lieutenant."

"Sorry about the inconvenience, Doctor. Luckily for everyone concerned, we're here to protect and serve."

Walkowicz grinned.

Mary Jane Rollins said, "Given the tense world we live in--now exacerbated by Ms. Freeman's death--upsetting our students is the last thing we needed this morning. They've barely achieved closure."

"About Ms. Freeman's death?"

"We've held two Town Halls as well as a voluntary grief counseling seminar for anyone interested. It's been an emotional experience."

I said, "How was the turnout for the seminar?"

"What difference does that make?"

"Just wondering about student interest."

"Why? So you can interrogate them? Turnout was fine, our people are doing well. All things considered. Or they were until two men were spotted--"

"Lurking implies underhanded," said Milo. "We stood right out in the open and to my eye none of the kids seemed bothered."

Mary Jane Rollins fingered eyeglasses hanging from a chain. "With all due respect to the acuity of your eye, Lieutenant, you created stress and bother. Now, if there's nothing more--"

"You're not curious why we're here, Dr. Rollins?"

"I've too many things on my plate for idle curiosity."

Walkowicz rolled his eyes. Rollins sensed something and pivoted toward him. By the time their gazes met, the guard had returned to stoic immobility. But when Rollins faced us again, his mouth flirted with mirth.