Povich said, “So like you’re looking for a body bag?”

“Body bag, trash bag, a big box…something.” Marge shrugged. “If Mandy or Garth was carting away a body on the sly, he or she would probably be savvy enough to avoid the security cameras. I suppose I’m looking for something less obvious…like a car or a person that doesn’t fit the scene.”

Povich said, “Maybe it would be better to view this in the station house.”

“When can you bring the tape in?”

“You can keep this one. It is a copy. Peter made it for you.”

Marge turned to the mute. “You made a copy for us?”

“He did,” Povich said. “But don’t tell the hospital.” He popped the cassette out. “Here you go. Good luck.”

“Thank you very much, gentlemen.” Marge placed the cassette into her oversize purse. “Thank for the help and the cooperation.”

“Yeah, thanks,” Oliver said.

The two detectives got up and shook hands all around. As they left, Marge gave Peter a firm pat on the back—her silent way of saying “job well done.”

“RIGHT…HERE!” Marge pointed to the rear of a car with its trunk open. “Keep an eye on this because it’s relegated to the corner of the monitor.”

“Now look what happens,” Oliver said.

Decker watched the cassette frame by frame as a man in a gray uniform slid in and out of view. At one point, he was holding a black industrial garbage bag, which he hoisted—with effort—into the open trunk. Then he closed the lid and walked out of view. A few moments later, the car left.

Marge turned on the lights and removed the cassette. Today she had dressed in a navy sweater and tan slacks. “While this guy was schlepping the bag and hauling it to the car trunk, we have Mandy popping into view at eleven fourteen. Then the car leaving around two minutes later. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to get a license plate. We have a good shot of the trunk. I’ll visit some car dealers and see if someone can identify the make and model.”

Oliver said, “The guy in the uniform appears to be about the same height and weight as Garth, but that’s as close as we can come to identifying him.”

“Get some pictures of Mandy and Garth and go back to the people who were working the emergency dock on Monday. Ask them if they remember seeing either or both of them.” Decker rubbed his temples. “Anything else?”

“Not right now,” Marge said. “You okay, Pete?”