Without answering, Burns laid down a pair of metal carrying cases, returned to the van, brought out the dolly. A third trip produced the flat sides of several unassembled cardboard boxes. He walked up to Prema. “Is there some hub where all your computers feed?”

“Like command central? I don’t think so.”

“You don’t think or you don’t know?”

Prema blinked. “No, there’s nothing like that.”

“How many computers on the premises?”

“Don’t know that, either. Sorry.”

“You have a smart-house setup? Crestron running the lights, the utilities, your home theater, all your toys?”

“We do have a system, but I’m not sure the computers go through it.”

“Show me your personal machine. We’ll work backward from there.”

“Right now?”

“You got something better to do?” Burns began stacking his dolly.

Milo pointed to the papers in Prema’s hand.

She said, “I pulled phone records for the last six months. Every line that goes through this property.”

Without looking back, Burns said, “Landlines and cells?”

“Yes.”

“Your employees have personal cell accounts?”

“I’m sure they do—”

“Then that’s not every line.” He made another trip to the van.

“Well … yes,” said Prema. “I just wanted to help.”

Tyler O’Shea appeared with Sally in tow.

Prema said, “A dog?”

Milo said, “While you work with Detective Burns on the hardware, Officer O’Shea will be exploring the property with Sally.”

O’Shea, young, virile, muscular, gawked at Prema. When he managed to engage eye contact, he beamed.

She smiled back. O’Shea blushed.

“Hi, Sally, aren’t you a pretty girl?” She reached to pet the dog. O’Shea blocked her with his arm. “Sorry, ma’am, she needs to concentrate.”

“Oh, of course—concentrate on what?”

Milo said, “Finding anything interesting.”

“You think you’ll find evidence here?”

“We need to be thorough, Ms. Moon.”

Sally’s leash strained as she oriented herself toward the forest. Her nose twitched. She panted faster.

Prema said, “Sally’s one of those … dogs that look for bodies?”

O’Shea said, “That’s part of her repertoire, ma’am.”

“Oh, my.” Head shake.

“What’s back there in the trees, ma’am?”

“Just trees. Honestly, you’re not going to find anything.”

“Hope you’re right, ma’am.” O’Shea clicked his tongue twice. He and Sally headed out at a quick trot.

Morry Burns returned. Tapped his foot. Checked his watch.

Milo said, “Who’s working on the premises today, ma’am?”

“Just the core staff,” she said. “The maids and the cook. Do you need to talk to them?”

“Eventually. Meanwhile, go with Detective Burns. Dr. Delaware and I will stroll around a bit.”

Prema forced a half smile. “Of course. He’s a psychologist, anything can be interesting.”