Caligula was short. Ali hated short editors. She used to joke about it with Kevin. Kevin had always been her first reader. His job was to tell her that whatever she had scribbled out was brilliant. Ali, like most writers, was insecure. She needed to hear his praise. Any criticism while she wrote paralyzed her. Kevin understood. So he would rave. And when she battled with her editors, especially those short of sight and stature like Caligula, Kevin always took her side . She wondered if Myron would like her writing . He had asked to see some of her pieces, but she'd been putting it off. The man had dated Jessica Culver, one of the top novelists in the country. Jessica Culver had been reviewed on the front page of The New York Times Book Review. Her books had been short-listed for every major literary award. And as if that weren't enough, as if Jessica Culver didn't have it all over Ali Wilder professionally, the woman was ridiculously gorgeous . How could Ali possibly stack up against that?The doorbell rang. She checked her watch. Too early for Myron . Craig, can I call you back?Caligula sighed. Fine, okay. In the meantime I'll just tweak this a bit . She winced when he said that. There was an old joke about being left on a deserted island with an editor. You are starving. All you have left is a glass of orange juice. Days pass. You are near death. You are about to drink the juice when the editor grabs the glass from your hand and pees into it. You look at him, stunned. There, the editor says, handing you the glass. It just needed a little tweaking . The bell rang again. Erin galloped down the stairs and yelled, I'll get it . A li hung up. Erin opened the door. Ali saw her go rigid. She hurried her step . There were two men at the door. They both held police badges . May I help you? Ali said . A re you Ali and Erin Wilder?Ali's legs went rubbery. No, this wasn't a flashback of how she learned about Kevin. But there was still some sort of dTja vu here. She turned to her daughter. Erin's face was white . I 'm Livingston police detective Lance Banner. This is Kasselton detective John Greenhall . What's this about?We'd like to ask you both a few questions, if we might . What about?Can we come in?I'd like to know why you're here first . Banner said. We'd like to ask a few questions about Myron Bolitar . A li nodded, trying to figure this through. She turned to her daughter. Erin, head upstairs for a little while and let me talk to the officers, okay?Actually, uh, ma'am?It was Banner . Yes?The questions we want to ask, he said, stepping through the door and motioning with his head toward Erin. They're for your daughter, not you . Myron stood in Aimee's bedroom .