“There’s other people who work private. You could hire a whole firm, get ’em working around the clock.”

“I never did like team sports. Rather see somebody go one on one. ‘Sides, you got an inside track. You knew the woman.”

“I don’t know how much of an edge that gives me.”

“And I know you.”

“Because you met me once?”

“And liked your style. That counts some.”

“Does it? The only thing you know about me is I know how to look at a boxing match. That’s not a whole lot.”

“It’s something. But I know more than that. I know how you handle yourself. And I’ve asked around, you know. A lot of folks know you and most of ’em said good things about you.”

I was silent for a minute or two. Then I said, “It could have been a psycho that killed her. That’s what he made it look like so maybe that’s what it was.”

“Friday I learn she wants out of my string of girls. Saturday I tell her it’s cool. Sunday some crazy man flies in from Indiana and chops her up, just by coincidence. You figure?”

“Coincidences happen all the time,” I said, “but no, I don’t think it was coincidence.” God, I felt tired. I said, “I don’t much want the case.”

“Why not?”

I thought, Because I don’t want to have to do anything. I want to sit in a dark corner and turn the world off. I want a drink, damn it.

“You could use the money,” he said.

That was true enough. I hadn’t gotten all that much mileage out of my last fee. And my son Mickey needed braces on his teeth, and after that there’d be something else.

I said, “I’ve got to think it over.”

“All right.”

“I can’t concentrate right now. I need a little time to sort out my thoughts.”

“How much time?”

Months, I thought. “A couple of hours. I’ll call you sometime tonight. Is there a number where I can reach you or do I just call the service?”

“Pick a time,” he said. “I’ll meet you in front of your hotel.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“It’s too easy to say no over the phone. I figure the odds are better face to face. Besides, if the answer’s yes we’ll want to talk some. And you’ll want some money from me.”

I shrugged.

“Pick a time.”

“Ten?”

“In front of your hotel.”

“All right,” I said. “If I had to answer now, it’d be no.”

“Then it’s good you got until ten.”

He paid for the coffee. I didn’t put up a fight.