This was a new piece of information, and it surprised me. “How far have you gone with this?”

“Not to Pittman, if that’s what you mean. I’ve done a little discreet checking on the suspect. Trouble is, he seems to be a solid citizen. Very good at his job — supposedly. At least that’s the official word from the embassy. Nice family in Kalorama. I’ve been watching Shafer a little, hoping I’d get lucky. His first name is Geoffrey.”

I knew that she was supposed to be a little bit of a loose cannon, and that she didn’t suffer fools gladly. “You’re out here alone tonight?” I asked her.

Hampton shrugged. “That’s how I usually operate. Partners slow me down. Chief Pittman knows how I like to work. He gave me the green light. All green, all day long.”

I knew she was waiting for me to give her something — if I had anything. I decided to play along. “We found a cab that the killer apparently used in Southeast. He kept it in a garage in Eckington.”

“Anybody see the suspect in the neighborhood?” She asked the right first question.

“The landlady saw him. I’d like to show her pictures of your guy. Or do you want to do it yourself?”

Her face was impassive. “I’ll do it. First thing in the morning. Anything revealing in the apartment?”

I wanted to be straight with her. She’d initiated the meeting, after all. “Photographs of me and my family covered a wall in a closet. They were taken of us in Bermuda. While we were on vacation. He was there watching us all the time.”

Hampton’s face softened. “I heard your fiancée disappeared in Bermuda. Word gets around.”

“There were photographs of Christine, too,” I said.

Her blue eyes became sad. I got a quick look behind her tough facade. “I’m really sorry about your loss.”

“I haven’t given up yet,” I told her. “Listen, I don’t want any credit for solving these cases; just let me help. He called me at home last night. Somebody did. Told me to back off. I assume that he meant this investigation, but I’m not supposed to be on it. If Pittman hears about us —”

Detective Hampton interrupted me. “Let me think about everything you’ve said. You know that Pittman will totally crucify me if he finds out. You have no idea. Trouble is, I don’t trust him.” Hampton’s gaze was intense and direct. “Don’t mention any of this to your buddies, or Sampson. You never know. Just let me sleep on it. I’ll try to do the right thing. I’m not such a hard-ass, really. Just a little weird, you know.”

“Aren’t we all?” I said, and smiled. Hampton was a tough detective, but I felt okay about her. I took something out of my pocket. A beeper.