“Don’t go getting pissed at your docs up in Fairfax,” said Marino, who seemed to read my mind. “Fauquier County asked ATF to take over here, so that’s the way it’s going.”

I still didn’t like it, but it was time to get on with the business at hand.

“I’m assuming no body has been recovered yet,” I said, and I was writing fast.

“Hell no. That’s going to be your fun job.”

I paused, resting the pen on the call sheet. “Marino, this is a single-dwelling fire. Even if arson is suspected, and it’s a high-profile case, I’m not seeing why ATF is interested.”

“Whiskey, machine guns, not to mention buying and selling fancy horses, so now we’re talking about a business,” Marino answered.

“Great,” I muttered.

“Oh yeah. We’re talking a goddamn nightmare. The fire marshal’s gonna call you before the day’s out. Better get packed because the whirlybird’s picking us up before dawn. Timing’s bad, just like it always is. I guess you can kiss your vacation goodbye.”

Benton and I were supposed to drive to Hilton Head tonight to spend a week at the ocean. We had not had time alone so far this year and were burned out and barely getting along. I did not want to face him when I hung up the phone.

“I’m sorry,” I said to him. “I’m sure you’ve already figured out there’s a major disaster.”

I hesitated, watching him, and he would not give me his eyes as he continued to decipher Carrie’s letter.

“I’ve got to go. First thing in the morning. Maybe I can join you in the middle of the week,” I went on.

He was not listening because he did not want to hear any of it.

“Please understand,” I said to him.

He did not seem to hear me, and I knew he was terribly disappointed.

“You’ve been working those torso cases,” he said as he read. “The dismemberments from Ireland and here. ‘Sawed-up bone.’ And she fantasizes about Lucy, and masturbates. Reaching orgasm multiple times a night under the covers. Allegedly.”

His eyes ran down the letter as he seemed to talk to himself.

“She’s saying they still have a relationship, Carrie and Lucy,” he continued. “The we stuff is her attempt to make a case for disassociation. She’s not present when she commits her crimes. Some other party doing them. Multiple personalities. A predictable and pedestrian insanity plea. I would have thought she’d be a little more original.”

“She is perfectly competent to stand trial,” I answered with a wave of fresh anger.

“You and I know that.” He drank from a plastic bottle of Evian. “Where did Lucy Boo come from?”

A drop of water dribbled down his chin and he wiped it with the back of his hand.