“Doesn’t explain how she knew to lie Keema and Andrew on their bellies, hands clasped behind their heads. That’s classic law-enforcement behavior, directing them to do that.”

“Maybe.” I shrugged. “Maybe we’re assuming too much. Maybe they just got down and did that. Instinct. Something they’d seen people do in the movies.”

“Hmm.” Sweeney nodded.

“Although I reckon we’re up to about thirty guns come out of that house so far,” I said, watching a pair of officers trying to fit the magnum into an evidence bag. “And not a single nine millimeter yet.”

Sweeney’s chief arrived, and after a brief hello to Sweeney, ignoring me, he wandered into the house. Mona came out the front door, accompanied by a short patrol officer, and bent at the waist, pointing to something under the house. The officer looked weary. I felt his pain. There was a lot of paperwork ahead for these guys.

“I’m, uh.” I debated whether to step in or not. “I’m getting a little worried about this.”

“About what?”

“The search.”

“Why?” Sweeney glanced up at me. “She gave her permission.”

Mona had indeed acquiesced to the search after I’d suggested to her that it was a good idea to let officers in. As her imaginary boyfriend, she’d taken my word.

“But she’s clearly got some mental problems.” I gestured toward Mona in her pink nightie. “The defense will argue she couldn’t give consent for the search and anything you find will be tossed out. I’ve seen it happen.”

“Oh.” Sweeney nodded. She looked vaguely embarrassed. “Of course.”

“If you find the murder weapon now, you risk it being—”

“I get it, Ted. I get it,” she huffed. Her chief wandered back over, and Sweeney straightened like a soldier coming to attention, her lips taut.

“I think we should halt the search,” Sweeney said before her chief could open his mouth. “There may be an issue with Ms. Wallgreen’s capacity to consent to a search. It was a mistake to go in. I’m going to give the order to pause here, and we’ll get an emergency warrant rushed through.”

“Right,” Chief Clark said. “Exactly as I was about to say. The woman looks like she’s lost her bloody marbles. I’ll tell the guys inside, and you can spread the word out here.”

Sweeney nodded and went to the officers near us to spread the message. I went along with her, feeling guilty.

“Pip,” I said and caught her arm when we were out of earshot of the others. “I didn’t mean that to sound patronizing.”

“No, no,” she sighed. “It wasn’t patronizing. It was correct. I just wish I’d known it myself. I’m just out of my depth here.”

“I spent most of my time as a cop completely out of my depth,” I said. “I think it’s in the job description. You’re fine, Pip. You’re right where you need to be.”

She laughed a little and rubbed my arm, taking off to continue stopping the search. I don’t know if she really believed me.