“So … it was Monte who ran into Des Backer and Doreen in Venice—I’m guessing a Sunday.”

“Definitely a Sunday, Lieutenant. Monte went to skate. He’s into that.”

“You’re not.”

“I bike. That’s what I was doing when he was skating the path and saw them.”

“What were Des and Doreen doing?”

“Monte never mentioned. He just came back and told me he’d met up with someone else from Center.”

“By that time, did you know he was violent?”

“Not really. I mean I knew he had a bad temper but he hadn’t touched me, not yet.”

“Later, that changed.”

“Oh, yeah.”

“Want another tissue, Lara?”

“I’m fine.”

“Okay … so Monte told you he’d run into Des and Doreen. How did he feel about that?”

“What do you mean?”

“Was he happy? Surprised? Upset?”

“Definitely upset. He blamed them for something but wouldn’t say what, I still don’t know. Something from his past, when he talked about it he’d get furious.”

“But he wouldn’t say why.”

“Monte’s an extremely closed person.”

“Something from his past … maybe something to do with messing up his law career?”

“He never got into it.”

“But does that make sense to you—law school?”

“I suppose.”

“We know he went to law school but was asked to leave. He ever explain that to you?”

“No and I knew better than to ask.”

“Well, here’s what folks have told us: Des and Doreen mighta done something that got Monte kicked out of law school. That would be something you’d carry a grudge on, don’t you think? He tells people he’s a lawyer when he’s not.”

“Makes sense.”

“By the way, when did he start calling himself Monte?”

“Back then.”

“Back when?

“High school. That’s what I heard. He liked to gamble.”

“Monte Carlo.”

“He used fake I.D.’s to gamble at Indian casinos. At least that’s what people said.”

“Okay … one more thing, Lara. Folks have also said Des and Doreen mighta messed you up, too. Something about med school?” Silence. “Lara?”

“You must be mistaken.”

“You never attended med school? University of Idaho, class of—”

“I started there but changed my mind.”

“Because… “

“My primary interest isn’t making money, I prefer pure science.”

“Being in the lab.”

“Exactly.”

“So it had nothing to do with lynx hairs?”

Silence.

“Lara?”

Prolonged sigh. Sick smile. “Okay, I guess I’m going to have to get into that. I didn’t want to because, frankly, Lieutenant, it’s too painful and I just didn’t see the point.”