Dolan introduced the deputy, whose name was Todd Chilton. He seemed to be acquainted with Ruel, and I gathered their relationship predated the current meeting. Chilton was in his late thirties, with dark hair clipped short on the sides and curling slightly on top. He'd loosened his tie, and he took a moment to rebutton his collar before the two of us shook hands.

Ruel peered at me and then turned to Lieutenant Dolan. "This the technician you were talking about?"

"She's a private investigator. We'll tow the car to Santa Teresa and do the evidence search up there."

Ruel turned and stared. "You mean to take the car away?" He looked from Dolan to the deputy in disbelief. "He can't do that, can he?"

"Yes, sir."

"But I hold title to that car and it's registered in my name. He never said what he was up to or I'd've told him to get lost."

Chilton said, "We understand that, Mr. McPhee, and I'm sure Lieutenant Dolan appreciates the inconvenience."

"Inconvenience, my foot! That car's been setting out there for the past eighteen years. If the cops thought it was so all-fired important, they should have taken it back then."

Dolan said, "The information came in a week ago. That's the first we'd heard of it, or we'd have done just that."

"This's private property. The car belongs to me. You can't sashay in here and walk off with what's mine." He turned to the deputy. "I want him out of here."

Chilton said, "I can't help you with that. He has the right to take it."

"Then you clear off, too! What good's that gall-dang badge of yours if you can't protect us any better than this?"

Chilton's manner was beginning to shift. Where at first his tone had been conciliatory, now it was turning flat. "Excuse me, sir, but that car's considered evidence in a criminal investigation. You don't have a choice. Techs don't find anything, you get the vehicle back and there's no harm done."

"I'm calling my lawyer."

Lieutenant Dolan said, "Mr. McPhee, we have a legitimate search warrant. You can call anyone you want, but it won't change what's happening. No disrespect intended, but you might as well save your breath."

"I'm entitled to one call."

"That's only if they put you in jail," Chilton said, exasperated. "No one's proposing to arrest you. It's the car he wants. He's talking about a homicide. You interfere here and you're only making trouble for yourself. None of us want that."

Cornell said, "Let it go, Dad. Come on. They're going to do it anyway."

Ruel gave way suddenly. He took his hat off and slapped his thigh with it. "People been telling me we live in a police state, but I never thought I'd see the day. It's a damn shame when a law-abiding citizen gets treated like dirt."