Milligan bit a coral, bee-stung lower lip, but her eyes never wavered from his face. Decker had faced many an ice-water-veined felon, but her stare went right through his spine. He dropped his voice a notch.

“When you surmised the nature of his business, why didn’t you immediately forward his letters to VerHauten’s attorneys? Correct me if I’m wrong, but you had already been moved out of the legal department by then.”

“You seem to know a great deal about me.” Milligan let her arms drop at her sides. “Why the interest?”

“I’m interested specifically in your business with Arik Yalom. When you realized that Yalom was a quote-unquote deranged man, why didn’t you forward his correspondence to VerHauten’s attorneys?”

“Because they are busy individuals, not to be bothered by cranks and fools.”

“VerHauten’s attorneys are on retainers and are paid handsomely to deal with cranks and fools. I would think you, on the other hand, a one-of-a-kind, highly valued employee would have better ways to spend your time.”

Marge found her voice and broke in. “Look, Ms. Milligan, Sergeant Decker and I are working very hard, trying to investigate this double homicide. We’re not out to give anyone grief. So let’s work together.”

“If for no other reason than you’ll get rid of us faster,” Decker added.

No one spoke for a moment. Then Decker noticed that Milligan seemed frozen in position. He said, “You didn’t know?”

Milligan stiffly shook her head.

Decker said, “Arik Yalom and his wife, Dalia, were found murdered a couple of days ago.”

Marge said, “It was extensively covered on television and in the newspapers. I’m surprised you didn’t hear—”

“When was this?”

“It was two days ago,” Decker said. “We’ve started going through Mr. Yalom’s affairs and found your letters. Tell me about them. What was Yalom onto?”

“Nothing as far as I could ascertain. Nothing that anyone would want to…murder for. My God, that’s…this is surreal.”

Decker said, “Mr. Yalom had some holdings in African diamond mines. What do you know about them?”

Milligan dropped into her desk chair and stared out the window.

Decker said, “Are you all right, Ms. Milligan? Do you need some water?”

“Nothing,” she whispered.

They gave her a minute to get over the shock. Then Marge said, “Beautiful view. Especially on a bright, sunny day like today.”

Milligan continued looking out the window. “I hadn’t heard about Yalom. I’ve been rather preoccupied with my own affairs. This seems very tragic.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Decker said.

“So why are you interviewing me?”

Marge said, “You two exchanged angry letters. You want to tell us about them?”

“What is there to tell? The man was delusional.”

“How so?” Decker asked.