Kammen said, “International terrorism. Now I can brag to my kids about something. Not that it’s going to help with teenagers.”

His return call came in before we’d returned to the station. Bass tones vibrated with triumph.

“I used logic, figured people from L.A. might want some creature comforts, but since they were involved in something illegal they might want to stay off the main drag. We’ve got a place that fits the bill, twenty miles out, set on the water, real woodsy, they got a spa, honeymoon couples like it. The Myrtlewood Inn, I’m fixing to take my wife there for our anniversary if she behaves herself. Anyway, sure enough, Ms. Helga Gemein used her platinum Amex during that exact time. One-night stay. Or stand, depending on your perspective.”

“Excellent,” said Milo. “Give me the card number.”

Kammen read it off. “If your boy Backer was there with her, it was a stay, not a stand, ’cause she rented two rooms. Paid for both, there’s no record of who stayed in the other. But whoever it was racked up hours of rent-a-porn. Unlike Ms. Helga, who didn’t watch a second of pay-per-view, probably drank tap water because there were no room service charges, not even peanuts from the mini-bar.”

“Living like a nun,” said Milo.

Kammen said, “Your boy Backer, though, he watched four dirty movies, ordered steak and shrimp cocktail, and raided the bar for all kinds of goodies. Not exactly two peas in a pod.”

“They had enough rapport to do bad stuff, Chris.”

“Sounds like your typical marriage.”

I said, “How many rental car companies do you have in Port Angeles?”

“All the majors and a couple of minors. Why?”

“Be good to know if either Backer or Helga used a hired vehicle.”

“The sister said Backer was driving her car.”

“She wasn’t with him when he gave his sister the suitcases. They could’ve gone their separate ways.”

“Ah,” said Kammen. “Okay, I’ll check that out—stay on the line, maybe I can do it fast.”

Four minutes later: “Call me Speedy Gonzales, Myrtlewood Inn’s got Avis on the premises. Ms. Helga rented a Chevy Cobalt during her one-day stay. It’s going to take a while to find out how much mileage she put on but I can do it, if you want.”

Milo said, “Much appreciated, Chris. I’ll keep you informed.”

“This is starting to be fun.”

I said, “Separate cars means Helga could’ve followed Backer to the storage bin. Once she got hold of the key, getting the money was a breeze. She didn’t even need to bully him to get it: They worked in the same office, Backer, ever sociable, goes off to lunch with his female friends. Helga, ever the loner, stays behind and goes through his desk or a coat pocket, makes a mold.”

“Then why the gun rape?”