“Would you excuse me for a moment?”

“Can I go now?”

“Greg, I think it would be best if you stayed for a little bit longer. Until I talk to the girl you were with last night. She is your alibi.”

“Then can I go?”

“One thing at a time. You want some more coffee or a soda or something to eat?”

“I want to go home and go to sleep.”

You and the rest of us, Oliver thought. “I’ll only be a minute. Just hang on, okay?”

Reyburn’s answer was a doleful shake of the head. Oliver left the interview room and went to look for Marge. When he didn’t find her, he headed for the Loo’s office. Decker was on the phone but motioned Oliver in. A minute later, he hung up. “That was Sela Graydon. She and Kathy Blanc are coming to the office tomorrow. That should be a real yuck fest.”

“Why are they coming in?”

“For an update on the recent events, to cry on my shoulder, to yell at me, to curse the world: pick any one or all of the above.” He blew out air. “What’s up?”

“Is Aaron Otis still here?”

“No, we kicked him loose about twenty minutes ago.”

“Damn.”

“What’s going on? Should we pick him back up?”

“I’d like to talk to him.” Oliver told him Reyburn’s story about Garth and his cougars. “Sounds fanciful to me, but it did give me the idea that maybe Garth is holed up in Vegas. Maybe he and Mandy are making new lives for themselves as Mr. and Mrs. Dominator/Dominatrix whatever.”

“Contact Las Vegas Metro PD.”

“Or Marge and I can take a little journey to the east.”

“Even if you do, you still need to contact the local law.”

“What do you think of the story?” Oliver asked.

Decker shrugged. “I’ve learned over the years to reserve judgment.”

Wanda Bontemps knocked on the doorframe. “I have Eddie Booker on line two.”

“Who?” Decker said.

“That’s all he said. He’s Eddie Booker and he’s returning your call.”

“My call?” He picked up the phone. “This is Lieutenant Decker.”

“Hi, Lieutenant. Eddie Booker. My mother-in-law said you called a couple of days ago and wanted to talk to me.”

Decker’s mind was racing. Luckily, Booker helped him out.

“I woulda called sooner but there wasn’t any communication on the ship.”

Ship…cruise ship…the security guard at the hotel where Terry was staying. “Yes, Mr. Booker, thank you very much for calling back. Hold on, one minute.” He turned to Oliver. “Get hold of Aaron Otis and see if he verifies the conversation. Then call up Las Vegas Metro and I’ll see about sending you and Marge over there. I’ve got to take this call.”

Oliver nodded and left.