“Really? Odd, but you don’t act like a person who needs anyone’s help. In fact, you behave precisely like the megalomaniac Slate accused you of being. How could I possibly help such a person?”

“Charlie, I don’t have time for this. Amy murdered her husband. I cannot let her get away with it. I need you to back up my story.”

“How?”

“Say you were with me tonight.”

“You want me to lie?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“I’m on a leave of absence. You’re in charge of this case. If you explain that you’ve been following Amy because you suspected her of acting in collusion with the kidnappers, the court will believe it.”

“Why would I have you with me?”

“We’re partners. Even while on a leave of absence, I like to hang out with you.”

“You don’t need me.”

“Vicki will eat me alive if you’re not there to back me up.”

“Vicki’s a vegetarian.”

“I’m in trouble here!”

“True. You rented a boat to go over to Catalina. I wasn’t with you. There’s a witness.”

“You went over earlier on the ferry.”

“I don’t have a ticket stub.”

“We can find one at the marina. People throw them away.”

“Why would we follow them over to Catalina of all places?”

“You wanted to go over for fun anyway. That’s another reason I came along.”

“Sort of a business and pleasure trip?”

“Are you making fun of me?”

“No. I’m making like a defense lawyer.”

“Yes. Business and pleasure.”

“And we just happened to witness a murder?”

“Yes.”

“Were we expecting to see a murder?”

“No.”

“Then why were we following their boat back to L.A.?”

“We were following them, period. When they left, we left.”

“Sounds weak.”

“What do you suggest?”

“I have two suggestions. The first one is to tell the truth.”

“I can’t do that. Matt will get arrested and I could too.”

“I understand. My second suggestion is to drop the whole thing.”

“What? Matt said that.”

“And we both know how smart he is. Amy’s life is not worth yours.”

“She murdered her husband! You only say that because David was an asshole.”

“The reverse is closer to the truth. You only protect Matt because you like him. But Matt committed serious crimes. He kidnapped a child and stole lots of money. He’s at least as guilty as Amy. And I for one do not appreciate that this guy I’ve searched for all this time will get to walk—just because you happen to have a crush on him.”

“That’s not it, seriously, Charlie. I protect Matt because he’s essentially innocent. Amy is completely guilty. I cannot let her go free.”