Davidson was quiet. Then he said, “You can keep this in the active files for a few more weeks. But don’t spend all day on it.” He drummed his fingers on his desk. “Take a couple hours a day, but no more. Unless, of course, something new pops up.”

Marge said, “Sir, that sounds reasonable. But if it’s all the same to you, if you could just give me another whole day—”

“And what do you think you’ll accomplish in another day, Dunn?”

Marge fidgeted. “I’d like another day to scour the house for possible crime evidence.”

“You already scoured the house. Another full day would just be a waste of department’s time and money. It’s time to move on to current affairs.”

Marge clenched her jaw, but said nothing. In vain, she waited for Decker to say something but he remained quiet. Did he actually agree with Davidson’s assessment or was he just keeping his mouth shut? Damn, he was unreadable.

Davidson turned to Decker. “You got a court appearance or something this afternoon?”

“The Williams shooting.”

“That was the Saturday-night bar thing?”

“Yep.”

“Then I’ll give this to Dunn.” Davidson took out a note and handed it to Marge. “This came through dispatch ’bout fifteen minutes ago. You literally got the smoking gun.”

Marge unfolded the note and read the details. A shooting at a local college—a lovers’ quarrel in the science lab. The boyfriend knocked off his woman in front of twenty students. Blues already at the scene. A rookie could have taken this call. All she had to do was fill out the forms.

Marge pocketed the information and stood. “I’ll get right to it, sir.”

“Right attitude,” Davidson said. “I like that. You’re learning. I know you want the Big One, Dunn. And you was hoping this Yalom thing was it. No harm in that. And maybe it taught you something in the process. You can’t eat steak before you cut your teeth.”

Decker allowed himself a fleeting smile before his expression turned flat. But Davidson caught it. “Did I say something funny, Decker?”

“Are you saying a more experienced person could have come up with more evidence in this case?”

“Yeah, maybe that’s what I’m saying.”

“I’m experienced.”

“Obviously not as much as you think.”

Decker said nothing, his eyes still on Davidson. They were locked in an old-fashioned staring contest. G-rated wienie wagging. Decker had an almost irresistible urge to make a funny face.

Finally, Davidson said, “I’m pissing you off, Decker?”

“Nope. You’re daring me. I like that even better.”

“I’m glad I’m making you happy. And if it motivates you to go out and solve this case…find some bodies, more power to you. But no more sucking on the department’s tit, you hear? A couple of hours a day on it, the rest is your own time.”