“That sounds like a defense brief.” The police band burped. His hand shot out and switched it off. “Guess I’d be a putz not to check out Rand’s visitors’ list. Which, given the fact that C.Y.A.’s a big mess, isn’t gonna be simple. As long as I’m churning paper, I’ll also try to learn what I can about Turner’s death. And let’s not forget the joy of excavating Barnett Malley’s personal history.”

“Always happy to brighten your day.”

“Hey,” he said. “It’s more than I had before you started free associating.”

* * *

Five messages on my machine. Four junkers and Allison, sounding cheerful.

“I’m free! Seven a.m. flight tomorrow on JetBlue. I should arrive in Long Beach by ten-thirty.”

I reached her cell. “Got the good news.”

“Dropped a whole lot of guilt on cousin Wesley,” she said. “My Ph.D. put to practical use. He gets in from Boston tonight. I’m packed and ready to go.”

“How did Grandma take it?”

“There were a few genteel sniffs but she’s saying the right things.”

“Seven a.m. flight in New York means a drive in the dark from Connecticut.”

“Got a car picking me up at three-thirty,” she said. “Does that tell you how motivated I am? The day after I arrive I’ve got patients, but if you have time tomorrow, we could have some fun.”

“Fun is good,” I said. “I’ll pick you up.”

“I booked a car in Long Beach, too.”

“Unbook it.”

“Ooh,” she said. “Tough guy.”

* * *

At nine p.m., my service called. I’d downed a sandwich and a beer, was ready to kick back with some journals.

“It’s a Clarice Daney, Doctor,” said the operator.

“Cherish Daney?”

“Pardon?”

“I know a Cherish Daney.”

“Oh, could be, this is Loretta’s handwriting— yeah, that could be it, Doctor. You want me to hold her number or give it to you? She said it was no emergency.”

“I’ll take it.”

She clicked me in.

“Oh,” said Cherish Daney. “Sorry, I was just going to leave a message. They didn’t need to interrupt your evening.”

“No problem. What’s up?”

“I was actually trying to reach Lieutenant Sturgis, but they told me he’s out of town. So I thought of calling you. I hope that’s okay.”

Out of town?

“It’s fine. What’s on your mind, Ms. Daney?”

“After you left I realized I didn’t get a chance to talk much about Rand. My husband spoke to you but there’s something I thought I should add.”

“Please.”

“Okay,” she said. “This is probably nothing, but I thought you should know that Rand was really upset the entire weekend. More than upset. Highly agitated.”

“Your husband said he was afraid.”

“Did Drew say why?”