“I’ll tell you what is permissible. First, how long have you known Grander?”

“Five years.”

“As a faculty adviser?”

“Yes.”

“His specialty is mythology?”

“Eastern mythology, yes.”

“How old is he?”

“Forty.”

“He’s working on his doctorate?”

“Yes. He has been working on it for ten years.”

“Why has it taken him so long?”

“He’s in no hurry. He enjoys traveling.”

Not a small point. “He is wealthy, then?”

“His family is. I don’t know his exact finances.”

“But he must have access to money to travel so much?”

“I would not disagree with that.”

“Has he traveled much in the last few months?”

“He comes and goes.”

“So he does not maintain a full class load?”

“No. He’s working on his thesis. I don’t think he’s taking any classes this quarter.”

“Is he handsome?”

“What?”

“Is he attractive?”

“Yes. By most standards, one would say he is very handsome.”

“Has he studied in England?”

Banks paused. “I don’t know. But I know he’s been there.”

“Do you know if he spent substantial time there?”

“I honestly don’t know.”

“Is he married?”

“No.”

“Was he ever married?”

He hesitated. “Yes.”

“What is it?”

“Nothing.”

“Please. tell me about this nothing.”

Banks shook his head. “He’s no longer married.”

Kelly considered. “Do you know if his ex-wife is still alive?”

“She died in some kind of accident. They were still married at the time.” He added, “I know the loss still haunts Michael to this day.”

“What was the accident?”

“I don’t know.”

She pressed. “You’re sure?”

Banks hesitated. “Not exactly. It had something to do with a fire.” He looked uncomfortable. “I’d rather you asked him these questions. If you met him, you’d know right away he wasn’t a murderer.”

“I would like to meet him,” Kelly said. The statement was a bold change from her plan. She had promised herself she was merely going to strengthen her case so that when she presented it to Slate, he acted quickly. But now she wanted another notch on her gun. Unknown to Banks, he had just described the Acid Man to the letter. She added, “When do you meet with him next?”

“Thursday afternoon. But I can call and bump up the appointment. I could make it for today. He wanted to see me as early as possible.”

“Why?”

“He said he had to go out of town on business.”

She closed her notepad. “Go ahead and make the appointment.”

The professor made his call to Michael Grander and the guy agreed to meet him in an hour at the professor’s home. Kelly had not planned on that wrinkle.

“Won’t your family be home?” she asked as Banks set down the phone.

“No. Our meeting place is an apartment I keep near campus. I see most of my graduate students there. My real home is thirty miles from here.” He stood and reached for his hat. The Midwest sky was in a foul mood. All she had was a flimsy leather coat. He offered her his down jacket and asked if she would have lunch with him. He assured her that they had time. She accepted both offers.