'In the meantime we talk to the attorney general of the great state of Delaware, find out what we can about the H&F Investment Group.'

===OO=OOO=OO===

Boyd and I were sharing a club sandwich and fries on the porch at High Ridge House when Lucy Crowe's squad car appeared on the road below. I watched her wind upward toward the driveway. Boyd continued to watch the sandwich.

'Spending quality time?' Crowe asked when she'd reached the stairs.

'He says I've been neglecting him.'

I held out a slice of ham. Boyd tipped his head and took it gently with his front teeth. Then he lowered his snout, dropped the ham on the porch, licked it twice, and wolfed it down. In seconds his chin was back on my knee.

'They're just like kids.'

'Mmm. Did you get the warrant?'

Boyd's eyes moved as my hand moved, alert for lunch meat or fries.

'I had a real heart-to-heart with the magistrate.'

'And?'

She sighed and removed her hat.

'He says it's not enough.'

'Evidence of a body?' I was shocked. 'Daniel Wahnetah could be decomposing in that courtyard even as we speak.'

'Are you familiar with the term junk science? I am. It was thrown at me at least a dozen times this morning. I think old Frank is going to start his own support group. Junk Science Victims Anonymous.'

'Is the guy an idiot?'

'He's never going to Sweden to colect a prize, but he's usualy reasonable.'

Boyd raised his head and blew air through his nose. I put my hand down and he sniffed, then gave it a lick.

'You're neglecting him, again.'

I offered a slice of egg. Boyd dropped it, licked it, sniffed, licked again, then left it on the porch.

'I don't care for egg in club sandwiches, either,' Crowe said to Boyd. The dog moved his ear slightly, to indicate that he'd heard, but kept his eyes on my plate.

'It gets worse,' Crowe went on.

Why not?

'There have been additional complaints.'

'About me?'

She nodded.

'By whom?'

'The magistrate wouldn't share that information. But if you go anywhere near the site, the morgue, or any crash-related record, item, or family member, I am to arrest you for obstruction of justice. That includes this courtyard property.'

'What the hel is going on?' My stomach tightened in anger.

Crowe shrugged. 'I'm not sure. But you're out of that investigation.'

'Am I alowed to go to the public library?' I spat.

The sheriff rubbed the back of her neck and rested a boot on the bottom step. Beneath her jacket I could see the bulge of a gun.

'There's something very wrong here, Sheriff.'

'I'm listening.'

'My room was ransacked yesterday.'

'Theories?'

I told her about the figurines in the bathtub.