“I suppose so,” Garfield said, striding toward his office door, “but I haven’t got a hell of a lot of time.”

“This won’t take long,” Stone said, following him.

The doctor did not sit, and he did not ask Stone to. “Well?” he said impatiently.

“I’m inquiring about a former intern at this hospital named Herbert Van Fleet,” Stone said.

Garfield didn’t reply immediately. “There was somebody here about him a few months ago,” he said finally.

“Well, somebody’s here again, Doctor, and it’s important.”

“Why is it important?”

“Let’s just say that it’s in connection with a serious crime.”

“What do you want to know?”

“Were you in charge when Van Fleet was interning here?”

“I was.”

“Why was he terminated from his internship?”

Garfield stared at him for a moment. “Am I going to end up testifying in a court of law about this?”

“That’s unlikely,” Stone said. “This is purely for background.”

“It’s about the Nijinsky woman, isn’t it?”

“I can’t say, sir.”

“Well, Mr. Barrington, you’d better say, if you want to get anything out of me. I read the tabloids, from time to time, and I’m aware that you are retired from the police department.”

Stone tried to keep from showing embarrassment. “That’s true, sir.”

“Then why are you flashing a badge around here?”

“Retired officers are allowed to keep their badges.”

“I don’t have to talk to a retired detective, you know.”

“I know that, sir, but I think the information I’m asking for could be important.”

“You don’t have the slightest notion of whether it’s important, do you? You’re just curious.”

“To tell you the truth, sir, I am. I couldn’t break this one when I was on the force, and it bothers me that it’s no longer being investigated.”

“The Morgan woman didn’t do it, then?”

“No, sir, she didn’t.”

Garfield sat down behind his desk and waved Stone to a chair. “Let me explain something to you, Mr. Barrington. This is a very highly regarded institution of healing, and we get some very well-known people in here as patients.”

“I’m aware of that, Doctor.”

“It’s conceivable that if the information you’re asking for got into the papers, there could be…repercussions for this hospital.”

“I assure you, Doctor, nothing you tell me will become a part of any public record, and I certainly won’t pass it on to the press.”

The doctor looked at Stone thoughtfully. “I’d like to know what happened to Sasha Nijinsky myself,” he said.

“So would I, Doctor; that’s why I’m here.”

“All right, but if it ever comes up, I will deny I ever told you any of this.”

Stone nodded. “I understand.”

Garfield took a deep breath and began. “This happened, what—twelve, thirteen years ago?”

“That sounds about right.”