Emerson leaned back and rubbed his chin. The plot thickens. Go on.

Harley took a deep breath. Apparently she serves as a secretary to the billionaire who owns this villa, a pharmaceutical magnate by the name of Lawrence Roth.

Emersons face showed no signs of recognition.

Roth, Harley continued, denies any knowledge of the victims, but I think he knew them. I think they were there, at his villa.

For what purpose?

Sex, probably. Callaway hes my partner on this case he spoke with one of the serving girls, who told him shed been coerced by one of Roths guests, threatened he could make her disappear if she didnt play along.

And you think that might have been the fate of your victims? Emerson said.

Harley nodded. Where theres smoke, theres probably a fire. Whether Roth personally murdered those girls or not, he knows what happened to them.

Suspicious, but circumstantial, Emerson mused, drumming his fingers on the table. And no DNA evidence to point you to the killer.

Harley shook her head. Nothing so far. Hes been careful.

She watched Emerson in tense silence, hoping he would make some revelation that would break the case wide open. Then the kettle boiled, and Emerson asked if shed like anything.

A glass of water is fine, thank you, she answered, her heart sinking. Thinking over the case, she felt hemmed in, trappedlike the only thing to do was wait for the killer to make a mistake. But how many more young women would he kill before he made that crucial mistake?

It was like a dog chasing a mail truck. Every time they thought they were close, the killer got ahead of them.

Her phone buzzed with a text from Callaway: Followed one of Roths cars to airport. Watching to see who gets in or out.

Harley looked up as Emerson returned with two cups of green, frothing liquid that smelled like fresh-cut grass. He set one in front of Harley.

I know what you asked for, he said. But if youve never had matcha tea, you really should try it. Good for your heart. I drink it while I work.

Harley put her phone away. And by work, she answered, you mean… She gestured toward the paintings.

Emerson nodded solemnly. I used the left side of my brain for fifty years. Its time the right side gets some exercise.

Harley sipped her tea. It had a strong, earthy flavoran acquired taste, perhaps, but Harley didnt mind it except that it was a hot beverage on a hot day.

Do you ever drink it cold? she said.

You can drink it iced, sure, he answered. But I like it hot when Im working inside. More…invigorating.