“McKay just said talked to herself.”

“Let’s check this girl out.”

“My very thoughts,” Marge answered. “I called Silver’s fifteen minutes ago. She’s not in. I’ll keep at it.”

Decker said, “Go over this Leek guy for me again—his so-called investment sideline?”

“Figured the best way to handle it is for someone to check into his finances. His scamming may not be relevant to Caitlin Rodriguez, but what he’s doing is probably illegal…if it’s true. Like I said before, Lita has an active imagination.”

“All right. We can’t have him screwing the old folks. I’ll see if Hollander can’t do a little side work. But this is not top priority right now. The baby is.”

“Agreed.” Marge finished off her wiener. “You find anything interesting on Marie’s calender?”

“Nothing marked Baby Kidnapping Day. I’m still working my way through April.”

Marge licked her fingers, then excused herself and bought another hot dog, this one with sauerkraut and onions. She sat down at the bench chair and placed her meal on the plastic picnic table. Slowly, she unwrapped her wiener, liberating a puff of steam. Decker patted the aroma away from his nose.

“Am I making you hungry?” Marge asked.

“Yes, you sadist.”

“Go on, Pete. I won’t tell.”

“You’re telling me to cheat?” Decker laughed. “You are a bad one, Dunn. Leading people off the straight and narrow.”

“And doing it while I stuff my face with nitrites. What would the builders at Silver’s Gym say about that?”

Marge happily chewed her wiener.

“You know, Pete, there is the real possibility that Leek disregarded my warning and called her up anyway.”

“But you made it clear to him that Tandy isn’t wanted for anything.”

“I did, but I think cops make Leek nervous.”

“Maybe Tandy and Leek are scamming together. You said she left under unclear circumstances.”

“Unclear is right. Without her records, I really don’t know whether she was laid off or fired or quit.” This time, Marge finished chewing before she spoke. “I’m gonna get a drink. You want a warm-up on your coffee?”

“Please. And as long as you’re up, see if they have a bag of potato chips. Something kosher. You know the ropes by now.”

“You’re really hungry.”

“I had a sandwich about an hour ago. It wasn’t enough.”

“Stay put. I’ll be right back.” Marge returned five minutes later with a Coke, a cup of coffee, a bag of potato chips, a salted pretzel with mustard, and a pickle. “Here you go. But don’t take your blood pressure for at least twenty-four hours.”

Decker took a chunk out of the pickle. “Thanks, kiddo.”

“Oooh, my mouth puckers just watching you.” Marge drank her Coke. “Will Meecham be able to tell you what he was treating Marie for? Isn’t that against the law?”