“But you’re worried.”

“Desi… used to talk.”

“About what?”

“Burning down the house,” she said. “That was the name of a song he liked. When he visited, he’d sometimes go off on speeches. About the beauty of untouched wilderness. About greedy people who raped the land and built monuments to their ego. What they needed, he said, was a good lesson.”

“Monuments,” said Milo. “Like the one he died in. And now you’re worried he put himself in a bad position.”

Ricki Flatt looked up. “Oh, God, I should’ve known something bad was going to happen when he gave me the money. Desi’s never been able to hold on to money, he’s never cared about money.”

No need for Milo to press. He gave her a tissue, waited until she’d patted her eyes dry.

“All right,” she said. “This is what happened: Des showed up six months ago with fifty thousand dollars in cash. Two big suitcases full. He asked me to hold it for him. I gave him a spare key to the unit.”

“We’re talking last January,” said Milo.

“New Year’s weekend, Scott and I were about to leave for a trip to New Mexico and Des showed up, no advance notice.”

“Did he say where he got the money?”

“I know, I should’ve asked. Scott was furious with me, said it had to be drug money or something else illegal and I’d gotten us in way over our heads. I said that made no sense, Desi had never used dope or alcohol, took care of his body. Scott told me I was being naïve, Desi had been on the road for years, we had no clue about what he’d done. We got into a big fight, Scott demanded I call Desi back, insist he take the suitcases.” Shrill laughter. “It was pretty darn dramatic. Of course, I finally agreed.”

“So you called your brother.”

Ricki Flatt hung her head. “I lied to Scott—only time I’ve ever done that. Why? For the life of me, I wish I could tell you. I just couldn’t bring myself to confront Desi. There’s something about my brother that makes you want to say yes to him. He’s so sweet and direct—in high school, he was voted most popular. It wasn’t just girls who loved him, everyone did.”

I said, “Charisma.”

“Yes, but for me, it was more than that. With Mom and Dad gone, there was no one else. I guess I kept hoping we’d reconnect, be some kind of family. Sam seemed to be a vehicle for that.” Burying her face in her hands, she mumbled.

Milo said, “You still have the money. You’re worried it’s political.”

Ricki Flatt looked up. “When Desi brought it to me, he seemed nervous, made me promise not to ask questions. I keep thinking it was payment for something wrong.”