“Kathy and Carlo are your buddies.”

“They’re names in a file.”

“You made it like they turned out sterling. She’s a doctor, he’s a lawyer, all that’s missing is an Indian chief.”

“I said that because that’s what’s in the file. There’s absolutely nothing pointing to them being criminal, let alone homicidal.”

“All you know is what you read.”

“Cut it out,” she snapped. “You don’t have to make me feel stupider than I already do.”

“If you had nothing to do with working Vanderveldt and Parris, there’s no reason for you to feel stupid—”

“You just don’t get it, do you? The first time we met, you figured out I’ve got my issues. As in having trouble ignoring obviously brain-dead decisions being made with more concern for butt-covering than the public’s welfare. I like to tell myself if I’d been in charge, 9/11 never would’ve happened. Maybe that’s self-delusional crap, maybe I need to stroke myself because the job’s turned out to be not what I had in mind. However you want to see it, I’m an outlier and what I need—what I needed—was a reprieve. When I learned you nailed the Swiss witch, I was ready to buy you dinner at Spago. Then I find out the Swiss witch had nothing to do with killing Doreen and the State Department’s on our butts because you went into that hangar without authorization. Not only haven’t you helped me, you’ve made my life more difficult.”

“Gee,” said Milo. “Here I was thinking solving murders was my job, when all along it was being your life coach.”

Lindstrom’s hands clenched.

Milo plucked pepperoni.

“Milo, we’re the good guys, why are we going at each other?”

“Help me out, Gayle, and we’ll be sandbox buddies again.”

“What makes you think I can help you? I’m an unpopular girl with a cubicle full of old cold files and a directive to clear them or else. Which is like asking me to teach Britney nuclear physics.”

“Forget physics,” said Milo. “Let’s talk medicine. And law.”

“You want me to find out if Kathy ever enrolled, fine, I can do that. Same for Parris and law school, but what’s that going to tell you? You need physical evidence.”

“Whatever builds the case is worthwhile, Gayle. Now tell me exactly what Doreen gave the Bureau before she split.”

“Dinky stuff.”

“I like dinky, Gayle.”