“They’ve sniffed the air,” said Milo. “Smelled Court TV, screenplays, book deals. The warning from on-high is no O.J. on this one.” He drew a remote control module from his jacket pocket and flicked on the monitor.

Sat down next to me, slumped and closed his eyes and stayed that way.

* * *

Blue screen, video menu printout. Time, date, D.A’s evidence code.

I took the remote from Milo’s hands. His eyes remained shut but his breathing quickened.

I flicked.

A face filled the screen.

Big blue eyes, tan skin, symmetrical features, shaggy blond hair.

Jane Doe Number One.

Milo had asked if I wanted to start out of sequence with Michaela. I’d considered that, said let’s do it in order.

Hoping lack of personal contact would help.

It didn’t.

* * *

The camera stayed close.

An off-screen voice, male, smooth, amiable, said, “Okay, audition time. Digging it so far?”

Zoom shot of the girl’s smile. Moist, white teeth, perfectly aligned. “Sure am.”

“Sure am, Brad. When you’re presenting yourself to a casting agent or anyone else, it’s important to be direct and specific and personal.”

The girl’s smile altered course, became an ambiguous crescent. “Um, okay.” The camera moved back. Nervous blue eyes. Giggle.

“Take two,” said Brad Dowd.

“Huh?”

“Sure am...”

“Sure, Brad.”

“Sure. Am. Brad.”

The girl’s eyes shifted to the left. “Sure. Am. Brad.”

“Perfect. Okay, go on.”

“With what?”

“Say something.”

“Like what?”

“Improvise.”

“Umm...” Lip-lick. A glance back at battleship-gray walls. “It’s kind of different. Down here.”

“Dig it?”

“Umm...I guess.”

“I. Guess...”

“I guess, Brad.”

“It is different,” said Brad Dowd. “Hermetic. Know what that means?”

Giggle. “Umm, not really.”

“It means isolated and quiet. Away from all the hassle. The Sturm und Drang.”

No response from the girl.

“Know why we’re auditioning you in a hermetic place?”

“Nora said it was serene.”

“Serene,” said Brad. “Sure, that’s a good word. Like one of those meditation things, ohmmmm, Shakti, bodhi vandana, cabalabaloo. Ever do any meditation?”

“I did Pilates.”

“I. Did. Pilates...”

“Brad.”

Off-screen sigh. “A hermetic place means less distraction. Right?”

“Right— Brad.”

“A hermetic, serene place strips away superfluous elements so it’s easier to find your center. Not like back in class where everyone’s looking and judging. No one will judge you here. Never.”

The girl smiled again.

“What do you think of that?” said Brad.

“It’s good.”

“It’s good?”

“It’s real good.”

“Brad!”

Blue eyes jumped. “Brad.”

“It’s. Good— ”

“It’sgoodBrad. I’m sorry I’m kinda nervous.”

“Now, you interrupted me.”

“Sorry. Brad.”

Ten-second silence. The girl fidgeted.

Brad Dowd said, “Totally forgiven.”

“Thanks. Brad.”

Ten more seconds. The girl worked at relaxing her posture.

“Okay, we’re serene and hermetic and ready to do some serious work. Do you like Sondheim?”

“Um, don’t know him— Brad.”