“I’m a handful,” she agreed. “Where’s Jimmy?”

“In a safe place.”

“Where?”

“You’ll see him tonight.” She knew he did not trust her. “What time should I come by?”

“Midnight. That will give me time to pack after Carl passes out.”

“Keep your cell close. I’ll ring twice as I cruise by. Don’t answer, just be ready.”

“No problem.” She paused. “What do you know about that Kathy woman you talked to at the apartments?”

“I told you about her. She’s a psychologist, in the middle of a divorce.” Kelly had underestimated his girlfriend. Another reason to get Amy out of the country. He could not let Kelly get buried by their problems.

“What did she look like?” she asked.

“Oh. She was blond, short, a little chubby.”

“I thought you said she was pretty?”

“She is pretty. Just slightly overweight is all. Why do you ask?”

“Just wondering,” Amy said.

AFTER AMY left for home, Matt’s newfound relief was tempered by old anxieties. It was noon; he had twelve hours to kill. Jimmy was in Fresno with Lupe—a hideaway he had never shared with Amy. The boy had been there since before Catalina. The money and diamonds were there as well. He had never let Amy see it all. His trust in her was not exactly at an all-time high. He spoke to her with love, but he knew that at some point near the start of their trip, he was going to have to test her love.

Test it in a way that would resolve all doubt.

He had lost his disguise and had yet to replace it. But he did not want to leave the city only to have to return. He killed most of the day watching a succession of movies. One was about the kidnapping of a rich wife who was cheating on her husband. He found the story implausible. Hollywood was seldom able to convey the subtlety that drove the insane. In the end everybody was setting each other up. The popcorn was good, though, the theater used real butter.

Near twelve he made his way into Brentwood. In reality he did not believe the police would spare men to watch Amy. That was the purpose of bail—to set a financial and psychological wall against fleeing. Family was supposed to serve a similar goal. The latter was not a small matter when it came to Amy. She was still close to her father and sister. He did not underestimate that bond. She could try to talk him into another plan. But there was no other plan possible that did not involve the resurrection of Matt Connor.

He scanned the neighborhood carefully before slowing in front of her house. He rang twice and she answered. It was these little deviations from their arrangements that made him nervous.

“I’m ready,” she said.

“Hurry. I’m out front.”