Kotsos smiled. “Which is why the Al Masri Majestic Hotel will be unique and spectacular, an awe-inspiring feat of structural engineering, ten stars and beyond. We are drilling a quarter mile into the Gulf in order to support pylons the size of buildings.”

“The rendering was pretty impressive,” said Milo.

Smoooth operator.

“The reality will be groundbreaking, Lieutenant. Literally and figuratively. We have found a way to support a carrying weight of unprecedented—but you don’t care about that, you’re here about a murder.” Transforming the word into something trivial. “At a project with which we haven’t been involved in years.”

Milo said, “Desmond Backer.”

Not an eyeblink. “Who?”

“One of our victims.”

“One? There is more?”

“Two, sir.”

“So sorry. No, I don’t know the name.”

“He was an architect.”

“There are many architects,” said Kotsos.

Milo said, “This one died at your project.”

“Former project.”

“The permit was pulled by DSD, Incorporated.”

“If that’s what the record says, then it is true.”

“Any reason for us to believe otherwise?”

Hesitation. “No.”

“Sir?”

“The record speaks for itself.”

“Tell us about DSD.”

Kotsos shook his head. “I’m sorry, as I told you, the terms of the confidentiality—”

“You can’t even say who they are?”

“I’m sorry.”

Milo said, “That was a civil agreement, this is criminal.”

“Lieutenant, I would truly love to help you, but the terms are absolute and the stakes are sizable.”

“Big money.”

Silence.

Milo said, “You sued DSD for a substantial unpaid balance. They settled but are paying in installments, will use any excuse to stop payment.”

Kotsos sighed again. “It is not simple.”

“Is there any reason we should suspect DSD—or anyone connected to DSD—of criminal behavior?”

Kotsos thought awhile, brightened and clapped his hands together. “Okay, I tell you this because I do not want you thinking I am hiding anything important. In terms of murder, I cannot honestly point a finger at anyone. Absolutely not, if I could, I would, no one likes murder, life is precious. If, on the other hand, you are investigating financial …” Smiling and running a finger across his mouth. “I have said enough.”

Milo produced his notepad. “Homicide, Mr. Kotsos. Financial doesn’t interest me. Now, how about some names of people who worked for DSD?”

Kotsos’s head shake seemed genuinely rueful.

“Here’s another name for you, Mr. Kotsos: Helga Gemein.”

“Who is that?”

“Desmond Backer’s boss. The firm is Gemein, Holman, and Cohen.”

“Never heard of them,” said Kotsos.

“They’re into green architecture.”

Kotsos snorted. “Silly stuff.”

“Green is silly?”