“Here are the mug books,” Marge said. “You can sit at my desk.”

“I’ll find that sunnabitch one way or t’other,” Benko said. “Little Heather ain’t gonna wind up another lost baseball, I’ll tell you that.”

“You want some coffee, Charlie?” Marge asked.

“Sure. Milk and three teaspoons of sugar. I used to drink it black, but life’s too short. The big C took my wife three years ago. Since then, I say what the hell.” He paused for a moment, shook his head, then opened the first mug book.

“You going to be around, Detective Hollander?” Marge asked.

“Why?”

“If Charlie finds the scumbag, he’ll need someone to punch him into the computer.”

“No problem,” Hollander said. “I’ve got to take a quick run down to the nuthouse, but I should be back in an hour.”

“Nuthouse?” Benko said. “You work with them psychos, Detective? Boy, I’ve met more than a few psychos in my time.”

MacPherson said, “The nuthouse is San Fernando Valley Juvenile Hall. The building’s located on Filbert Street.”

“Filbert—ah, nuthouse, I get it,” Benko said. “I like that.”

“While Detective Hollander is absent, I’ll be happy to help out Mr. Benko in any manner deemed necessary,” MacPherson said.

“A rare burst of altruism from Detective MacPherson,” Decker said.

“Yeah, thanks a lot, pal,” Benko said. He turned another page.

Marge pulled out her notes and said to Decker, “This is what I’ve got. Mitch Appleman, the bee commissioner, gave me some addresses of apiaries in the neighborhood. The big commercial ones are off the Antelope Valley Freeway near Canyon Country. A little far for Baby Sally to walk.”

“About five miles too far.”

“But,” Marge said, “there’s an area, a small valley called Sagebrush Canyon, right outside our jurisdiction. It runs between the mountains, starts right above Hansen Dam and Lakeview Terrace, and curves above the new Manfred development. Lots of pastures—alfalfa and clover fields. Appleman says there are a couple of independent bee farmers out there. I think that’s our best bet.”

“Who has jurisdiction?”

“It’s an independent city in L.A. County. I wasn’t able to find out if they have any local law. Maybe they import in time of need.”

Decker said, “Let’s take a look.”