“I think I understand. What did he have to say?”

“Oh, he was real shocked. I just wanted to make sure, you know, that he really didn’t have anything to do with following your car, beating up the doc, that kind of stuff.”

I had wanted to know those things too. I would have liked to ask Eddie Mohr those questions myself. One reason for doing my own legwork is that the people’s reactions tell you more than their actual words. Of course, I could go see him myself tomorrow. I’d only be the third person to interrogate him, behind the cops and Mr. Contreras. He should have his answers totally memorized by then.

I started to ask about where Mohr parked the cars—street or garage? And did it make logistical sense that it was the Olds the hot-wirers took? And didn’t it seem like a strange coincidence that the president of the Diamond Head local was involved, however tangentially, in trying to run Lotty over when I was trying to investigate the death of an old Diamond Head employee? But Mr. Contreras wouldn’t be able to answer these questions, and it would only puncture his balloon if I asked them.

“Was he surprised to see you?” I said instead.

“Well, naturally, me turning up out of the blue after twelve years, of course he was surprised.”

“Disconcerted, do you think?”

He snorted. “I’m not sure what you’re driving at. You mean, did he act like he had a guilty conscience, yes he did—he felt guilty as all get-out when I told him who the doc was and how bad she’d been hurt. But of course he couldn’t know his car would be stolen, let alone it would be stolen to attack her with.”

“How come he owns two cars and you take the bus?”

He opened his eyes in astonishment. “You trying to suggest he’s got more money than he should? I could own a car if I wanted to—I sure don’t need two—but what do I need it for? Waste of money, the taxes, the gas, the insurance, worrying about parking it, whether hot-rodders’ll steal it. You think just because a guy gives his life to the union he can’t afford to own a car?”

I shook my head, abashed. “Of course not. Just grabbing at straws.”