Decker smiled. “Remember the way Milligan spoke about the diamond cutters…described them as gossipy and clannish. I think she was referring to the Jews, Marge. Because the Jews are primo diamond cutters. And just maybe she was talking from experience. Maybe one of them saw and heard something. And Yalom was a greedy bastard who took advantage of the situation.”

Marge said, “So say we’re right. Say somewhere in Milligan’s past she had a torrid affair with a black. Does that kind of thing make a difference in this day and age?”

“Not if you’re an ordinary Jane. But if you’re a South African working for a white, conservative company like VerHauten, I think it could make a hell of a difference.”

“Yeah, VerHauten is an entity unto itself,” Marge said. “As long as we’re spinning fairy tales, let’s take it a step farther. Assume Milligan wanted Yalom out of the way for good. I still think Gold would make the perfect triggerman.”

“Why would Milligan hire Gold to pop Yalom? Wouldn’t she be worried that now he’d become a problem, too? Take on where Yalom left off?”

“But Gold wouldn’t be a problem now. He’s figuratively in bed with Milligan.”

Decker thought about that. “So let me play Devil’s advocate. Why would Gold have bitten the hand that fed him?”

“Because he was sick of playing the supporting role, sick of Arik being the big man on campus.”

“Gold had amassed a mighty fine African art collection by being number two.”

“So Gold was an ingrate. It’s been known to happen. Anyway, this was Gold’s big chance. Once he got rid of Arik, he got not only the business but the wife. Remember the Lexus parked outside the house every week.”

“Dalia was killed along with her husband, Marge.”

Marge frowned. “Yeah, you’re right. That was stupid. Okay, so maybe the Lexus being parked outside the house was just Gold and Yalom doing business. So just assume Gold popped Yalom to get him out of the way. Dalia was the side dish—got eaten in the process. It still makes sense, Gold got the business and Milligan got her little blackmail problem solved.”

“And Gold was the hit man?”

“He was a former sniper, he knew guns. Furthermore, Arik and Dalia trusted him. Who better to lead the Yaloms under false pretenses to an isolated spot on the mountain?”

That was true enough. Decker ran his fingers through his hair. What she said did make sense. Maybe he just didn’t want to see Gold as a murderous thug. Not with the way Gold spoke about Dalia. Yet Decker had known many murderers to express regret over their actions.

He said, “If that’s the case, if it’s played out like that, we’ve got a big problem, Marge.”

“Yeah, I know. It’s called evidence.”