As we’re making our way back to the parking lot, while I’m still thinking through the meaning of the closing phrase—the power of sin is the law—Dana Goodwin catches up to us. Beside her is a man who I presume to be her husband, based on the fact that he’s holding her hand.

We all stop near the funeral office, where the earlier service occurred.

“This is my husband, Stuart,” Dana says. “Stuart, meet Gabriel Velasquez and Ella Broden.”

“The famous Ella Broden,” Stuart replies.

Amid the sea of cops and Richard Trofino’s construction cronies, Stuart’s less-masculine variation of the male species stands out like a sore thumb. He has a slight build and a fair complexion bordering on pasty: the kind of guy who would play an accountant in the movies. Then again, looks can so often be deceiving in such matters. Gabriel could probably kill Stuart with his bare hands without breaking a sweat, but I also assume that Gabriel’s a more nurturing partner solely because I’ve never met any man who is Gabriel’s equal in that regard.

“I talk about you too much, apparently,” Dana says. “But it’s not my fault. Lauren went on about you all the time.” Dana offers a shallow laugh. “Sometimes it made me mad.”

I smile at her attempt at humor. I’m certain Dana never felt the least bit threatened by me. She exudes pure confidence.

Her phone rings, but she doesn’t move to answer it. It takes Stuart saying, “I think that’s your purse ringing, honey.”

She startles. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize it was me. I lost my phone and I haven’t had the chance to program my old ringtone into the new one yet, so I still don’t recognize the ring.”

After she answers, she tells Gabriel that it’s the office. We all wait as she says “uh-huh” a few times. Then, “This is good work. Check to see if there’s any connection between Detective Papamichael and Lauren. Maybe they worked on a case or something.”

As she’s putting the phone back in the purse, Dana looks about, most likely to make sure that no one can hear what she’s about to impart. Apparently, she views spouses as within the investigation umbrella because she says, “That was O’Dell. They found the gun. In the sewer a block away from Lauren’s home. It was registered to a Detective Gregory Papamichael—and he died two years ago.”

“Papamichael . . .” says Gabriel. “I remember him. Over at the one-six, I think. Does the name mean anything to either of you?” He looks between Dana and me. “Any connection to Lauren?”

“I’ve heard the name before,” I say. “An old-timer. But I don’t remember if he ever worked any of my cases or had any overlap with Lauren.”