“We’ll let you know,” Jack said. “Let me have your mobile number! Meanwhile, you can keep Jennifer entertained so she won’t be tempted to leave the premises.”

“Don’t be patronizing,” Jennifer complained.

“You’re right. I’m sorry,” Jack said. “That did sound condescending. I truly didn’t mean it that way. Sarcasm is my reflex style of humor. As I already said, I do give you a lot of credit for getting this investigation to this point, in spite of your grief. I doubt I could have done it.”

After saying good night to one another, Jack and Laurie got up and left the other two to finish their beers. As they walked out into the lobby, Jack said he wanted to stop at the concierge desk to reserve a van for the morning if it was possible.

“What do you want with a van?” Laurie asked.

“If we want to take a body from point A to point B, I want us to be prepared.”

“Good thinking,” Laurie said with a smile, guessing what Jack had in mind.

A few minutes later, as they were rising up to the seventh floor in the elevator, Laurie said, “I learned something tonight I didn’t know before. Jennifer’s father apparently abused her as a child.”

“That’s a tragedy,” Jack said, “but she’s certainly high-functioning.”

“At least ostensibly.”

“Did she tell you?”

“No, he did. It was by accident. At least I think it was by accident. He had convinced himself that from my mentoring position, I would have known, but I didn’t. So don’t say anything to anyone.”

Jack made an exaggerated questioning expression. “Who would I tell?”

“Are you done?” Neil asked, after Jennifer had taken the last pull on her beer. She nodded as she placed the empty bottle back on the table. She stood up and offered him a hand. They started for the elevators.

“I don’t like the idea of being confined to the hotel.”

“But it is the smartest thing to do. Why take a chance at this point. I thought about it but hesitated to suggest it.”

Jennifer gave Neil a quick testy glance.

They boarded the elevator. “Floor, please,” the operator intoned.

Jennifer and Neil exchanged a glance, unsure who was going to speak.

“Nine,” Jennifer said, when Neil failed to respond.

They didn’t talk as they rode up, nor when they walked down to Jennifer’s room. At her door, they stopped.

“I hope you are not expecting to come in,” Jennifer said. “Not at one-thirty in the morning.”

“When it comes to you, Jen, I don’t allow myself to expect anything. There are always surprises.”

“Good. I got pretty angry at you back in L.A. I had expected a different response.”

“I realized that after the fact. At the same time, there could have been a bit more discussion.”