“Got a New Mexico ID on a victim and a box address.” He gave Two Moons the barest essentials of the case, recited the info.

Two Moons said, “Don’t know her by name, so she’s probably not one of our chronic troublemaking hookers. I do know the address, shopping center just south of St. Michael’s. Could be the Mailbox Incorporated or the office supplies store or maybe there’re still renting P.O.B.’s at the organic pharmacy. You want me to, I’ll have a uniform stop by to find out.”

“That would be great, Darrell.”

“How’d she die?”

“Shot in the face.”

“Not nice,” said Two Moons. “Someone didn’t like her technique, huh?”

“Something like that.”

We headed back to the station.

Milo said, “Tiara Grundy,” as if the name imparted wisdom. “Grundy can’t be that common of a name. If I find a local relative, I’ll let you know where and when the notification’s gonna be.”

I said, “I’m tied up tomorrow until the afternoon.”

“Court?”

“Nope.”

“Changed your mind about picking up new therapy cases?” I smiled.

He said, “Mona Lisa, again? What’s the big deal, I’m not asking for clinical details.”

“Good.”

“Oh, man, if I ever had secrets worth keeping, I’d leave them with you. Okay, fine, you’re gonna heal some maladjusted type and it has nothing to do with me so I need to keep my mouth shut and concentrate on doing my own damn job.”

I said, “There’s a plan.”

Chapter 25

he following morning at eleven I was pushing Gretchen Stengel’s call button. A female voice, too upholstered around the edges to be Gretchen’s, said, “One moment,” and buzzed me in.

The condo door was open by the time I got there. A chubby gray-haired woman in a loose floral dress smiled then held a finger to her lips.

When I got close enough, she whispered, “Sleeping. Finally.”

She motioned me to the edge of the landing, held out a hand. “I’m her sister, Bunny Rodriguez.”

“Alex Delaware. Bad night?”

“It was tough. Thanks for being here for Chad.”

“Is Chad here?”

“Napping also,” she said. “Snuggled up against Gretchen.” Her eyes watered. Blinking. “He’s a sweet boy.”

As if I needed to be convinced.

I said, “It’s good that he’s got you.”

“I’ve always loved Chad.” She breathed in and out and her body quivered like aspic beneath the thin, rayon dress. The print was hydrangeas and wisteria, green tendrils running amok. Her eyes were soft brown, bloodshot around the edges. Indentations on both sides of a thin straight nose said glasses were a regular thing. “My own kids are grown. Guess it’ll be an adventure. Hopefully not for a long time.”

Her smile fell well short of happiness. “Nothing like denial, right?”

“Whatever it takes.”