“You can save any questions for Jill Donoghue,” I let Erin know. “She’ll be here soon. And in the world I come from?” I meet her cool customer stare. “We don’t eat or drink at scenes. We don’t bring in coffee, help ourselves to water or the bathroom. We certainly don’t leave our detritus. It looks like you’ve forgotten basic crime scene training, which is surprising since you’re married to a judge. You should know better than most that lapses in protocol can come back to haunt you in court.”

“Please come in,” Erin says as if she lives here and I didn’t just say what I did.

“I’m going to check on everyone.” Lucy starts to walk away.

“Not so fast.” Erin lightly grips her arm.

“You need to get your hands off me,” Lucy says quietly.

“How’s your leg?” Erin asks me as she continues to hold on to Lucy’s arm only harder. “When I heard about it my first thought was how did you manage not to drown? And by the way, Zeb sends his regards.”

I’m sure Judge NoDoz misses me like a hole in the head. What I say is, “And please give him mine.”

“I’m asking you politely to get your hands off me,” Lucy says, and Erin realizes the wisdom of letting her go.

“It looks like walking is pretty hard for you these days.” Erin turns her attention to me. “You were what? Some ninety feet, a hundred feet down and lost consciousness? If someone shot me with a spear gun I’m sure I’d pass out.”

“It will be a while before my leg is back to normal. But I’m expecting a full recovery.” It sounds stilted and it’s supposed to when I recite what I scripted long painful weeks ago. “That’s the only question I’m going to answer before Jill Donoghue gets here.”

“Sure. Have it your way but I don’t see anyone here trying to Mirandize you, Doctor Scarpetta. We’re not interrogating you, just asking for a little helpful guidance.” Then she says to Lucy, “And I’m afraid I’m going to have to take your phone. I’ve been nice about it. I could have taken it when I got here but I didn’t. I gave you the benefit of the doubt and what do you do? You tamper with the security system.”

“It’s not the security system,” Lucy says. “It’s my security system. I can do whatever I want with it.”

“I gave you the benefit of the doubt,” Erin repeats, “and the thanks I get is you interfere with our investigation.” She takes the phone from Lucy. “Now I’m not nice about it anymore.”