“I’m really sorry,” Keller said into the phone.

“How many times do I have to tell you to stop apologizing?” Bob said. “Didn’t you read that article I sent you?”

Keller could picture the smirk on his face. He’d sent her one of those top ten lists for professional women that make the rounds on Facebook. Career advice written by world-weary twenty-two-year-olds.

“Don’t Apologize was tip number one,” Bob said.

“I’m traveling so much lately. You’re taking on more than your share.”

“Um, though my modeling career is about to take off, I think you’re forgetting how we have food.” Bob paused a beat. “And besides, I like being a kept man. No, a Stepford Husband.”

She felt her heart rate slowing, her blood pressure leveling. She could swear she actually felt it. Bob always had that effect on her.

“Whose phone are you on?” he asked, changing the subject. “The caller ID was blank and the reception is terrible.”

“I’m on the plane.”

“Whaaat? And you’re just now telling me that?” he said. “You’re like Clarice Starling. Or is it more like The Wolf of Wall Street? Tell me Stan’s there coked out of his mind with a bunch of hookers.”

“Stop it,” she said, smiling in spite of herself, the image of her buttoned-up boss getting wild with prostitutes unfortunately shooting through her mind. “Stan had to get back to the office.”

Her boss had left her to handle the meeting at the Marconi accounting firm on her own. Given the interest HQ had taken in the Pine case, Keller didn’t know whether to be flattered or concerned. Stan either had great confidence in her or was distancing himself from a potential shit show. Stan was a stand-up guy, so Keller decided to believe the former.

“So what’s in Chicago?” Bob asked.

“Probably blowing up two years of work on my cartel case.” Keller had the Marconi file spread out on the worktable in front of her.

“Wow, they really want to know what happened to the Pines,” Bob said. “The power of television, I guess.”

“And the president’s daughter, a law student and fangirl of ‘A Violent Nature.’”

“I hope you’re kidding.”

Keller didn’t reply.

“When do you think you’ll be home?”

“I’m not sure. I’m going to hit the accounting firm in the morning and, if I have time, try to talk to some of the girl’s classmates. I doubt it will go anywhere, but might as well while I’m there.” She hesitated, then added, “I won’t be surprised if they want me to go to Nebraska. That’s where they’re sending the bodies.” She’d tried calling Matt Pine, but it went right to voicemail. She’d texted him as well, but he’d ignored her. Or his phone was dead.