“Absolutely right. I’m obviously an idiot.”

“You won’t get an argument from me today.”

Gabriel had the grace to look sheepish. “You’re angry about the article.”

“Damned right I am. More’s to say, I’m mad that you’d write a piece like that without talking to me first. We have enough real killers prowling the town without you starting a panic about a serial killer.” She fixed him with a stern look. “You owed me a heads-up, at least.”

Like a schoolboy, he tried to worm his way out of trouble. “I heard you tell her you didn’t think she had a case.”

The anger that had begun to fade flared again. “You eavesdropped on my conversation, boy?”

Recognizing quicksand when he stepped in it, Gabriel said, “I fouled up. I should have talked to you first.”

Sylvie huffed. “Damned right. We’ve been fielding tons of calls because of your stunt. Captain’s been all over me to find some reason to arrest you.”

“It wasn’t a stunt.” At her raised brow, he corrected, “It wasn’t just a stunt. I believe there is a killer out there who wants to harm Erin. Five have already died that we know of. I need to find out about two other possibles. Any chance you’ll let me look through the homicide files for our next installment?”

“Can’t do it,” Sylvie said. “Orders from the captain. The official line is that it’s a crazy woman’s story without an ounce of truth. After she ran, I took her theory to the top. No dice.”

“You explained what she received? The note? The obituaries?”

“I did. Captain Sanchez didn’t bite. Your friend said the murderer had killed Phoebe Bailey who danced in the Quarter. Evidence points to one of her more enthusiastic clients, who followed her to her job at the menagerie. A john strangled her, not a serial killer.”

Gabriel shook his head. “I heard enough from Erin to start following my nose, Sylvie.” Gabriel took the three steps to Sylvie’s desk and bent close. “She’s on to something. And he’s coming after her. Let me take a look at the homicide files from the past few months.”

“I don’t want any trouble, kiddo. You start writing about this like it’s real, and the loonies will really go over the bend. Copycats and whatnot. Plus, the captain will have my badge.”

“Or I can dispel the theory. Give us four hours, Sylvie. Please?”

“This could get me in some deep trouble, Gabriel. Bad enough if I let you in, but you want to bring the doctor?”

“I’ll make you a hero, Sylvie. You know I won’t let you down. That’s why you love me.”

Sylvie grunted. “I love you ’cause you’re the spitting image of your daddy. And ’cause I promised Nadia I’d look after you.”