"How'd that happen? Last I heard he didn't even know where she was."

"Baby, that was daydreaming on my part. Now I find out she was in touch with him the whole time he was in prison. They're on the phone with each other just about every day."

"What sent her running to him?"

"You don't know how protective she is where he's concerned. She's worse than a mama bear. She's sure he didn't have anything to do with that other poor girl's death-you know, the one you were here asking about? If he did, she'd be first in line volunteering an alibi for him."

"Could she do that?"

"Do what?"

"Provide him an alibi for the two days after Cathy Lee's death? She was awfully vague on that score."

"Iona's convinced there's an explanation, but so far I haven't heard a word of it. I think that's why she went, to find out where he was for that two days. I know she was fretting about the quarry where the girl was dumped."

I held the receiver out and squinted at the mouthpiece. "Why would Iona fret about that?"

"Oh, she knows the place well. She used to play there as a kid. She has a couple cousins-this is my sister's two kids. Iona stayed with them every summer for two weeks. They'd ride their bikes over to the quarry and have rock fights."

"In Lompoc ?"

"What did I just get through saying to you?"

"Why didn't you tell Lieutenant Dolan?"

"I must not've been thinking or I'd have spoken right up."

"Are you sure it's the same one? There must be others in the area."

"I guess that's what Iona's trying to find out."

"Did she mention Pudgie at all?"

"In regard to what?"

"I'm wondering if she said anything to Frankie about him?"

"Well, she must have. You know Pudgie and Frankie were in jail together right around that same time. If anybody pointed a finger, it almost had to be him. She figures Pudgie threw Frankie's name in the hat, hoping to make some kind of deal for himself."

"Oh geez, that's not true. There wasn't any deal," I said. "Look, do me a favor. If she gets in touch, will you have her call me? I'm in Quorum at the Ocean View Motel, room 125."

"I don't expect to hear from her, but if I do, I'll be happy to tell her. Of course, you're closer to her than I am."

"Excuse me?"

"Well, hon, she's in Creosote. I told you that. After she left Santa Teresa, she went looking for Pudgie to see if she could straighten this out."

"Did Frankie come with her?"

"Lord, I don't know. I hope not. She never said."

I didn't actually groan, but I probably should have. "Let's don't worry about that now. Thanks, Annette. You've been a big help."

"Honey, you tell Lieutenant Dolan I'm sending him a big old sloppy kiss."