“Everything’s conflict with her, even when it doesn’t need to be,” said Laskin. “She says you’ve had more than enough time with her client, doesn’t want his head messed up before she brings her own experts in. Montez is a loafer, takes the path of least resistance. I could probably push it, Alex, but if I’m reversed I’d prefer it not be for something picayune. Do you really need more time?”

“Why would I mess up their clients’ heads?”

“Don’t take it personally,” he said. “It’s lawyer crap. Their basic premise is that you’re biased for the prosecution.”

“I haven’t spoken a word to the D.A.”

“It’s gamesmanship. They’re setting the stage so if you do say something they don’t like, they’ve precharacterized it as impeachable.”

“Okay,” I said.

“Don’t worry, I’ll protect you when you get up on the stand. So when can I expect your compiled psychological wisdom on my desk?”

“Soon.”

“Soon is better than the alternative.”

* * *

I sat down to write my report, starting with the easy part— the crime scene, the background information, the test results. But even that was a struggle, and I hadn’t gotten far when Lauritz Montez called me.

“How’s it going, Doctor?”

I said, “Have you changed your mind about my talking to Rand?”

“Maybe,” he said. “My client cooperated fully the first time, didn’t he? You’ll make a point of stressing that, right?”

“I’ll do my best to be unbiased.”

“Look,” said Montez, “the motion was Weider’s idea. You know what she’s like.”

“Actually, I don’t.”

“Whatever,” he said. “You do remember Rand cooperating fully.”

“I do.”

“Good.” His voice was tight. “He’s pretty depressed.”

“That doesn’t surprise me.”

“Poor kid,” he said.

I didn’t answer.

“The reason I’m calling, Dr. Delaware, is that Weider just put in for a bifurcated hearing. Do you understand what that means?”

“She wants to split Troy’s defense from Rand’s.”

“She wants to screw me— screw Rand. I thought we were all on the same page but she’s pulling a fast one, shifting to blaming it all on my client so her little sociopath can get easy treatment. I thought you should be alerted.”

“Thanks.”

“I’m serious,” he said. “The truth is obvious.”

“What truth is that?”

“A basically good, really stupid kid got caught up with a cold, cruel murderer. I know you’ve been back to 415 City, I know everyone told you that.”

I said, “What can I do for you, Mr. Lauritz?”

“I respect your expertise and want to maintain open communication. No offense about the motion to deny you access, okay? If you really want to talk to Rand, fine. He’s remorseful. Consumed with remorse.”

I didn’t answer.

“So,” he said. “Are you going to be seeing him again?”

“I’ll give you a call.”