“I had to get the dispatcher to talk the lady into letting me in. She thought I was an ax murderer and called nine-one- one. Maybe he heard about it that way.”

“Apparently, she called nine-one- one again,” Benton told him. “Just a little while ago.”

“She’s scared shitless,” Marino said. “Because of what happened to Terri.”

“To report animal abuse,” Benton said.

“Don’t tell me. Because of her dead puppy?”

“What?”

“That’s what I’m asking,” Marino said. “What are you talking about?”

“Apparently, the woman told the nine-one- one operator to pass on the message to Jaime that it was the same man who, quote, got off the hook earlier this month. And she, the lady who called, said she took a picture with her cell phone and can prove he’s at it again.”

“Jake Loudin,” Berger said. “Who’s this claiming she took a picture of him?”

“All I know is the nine-one- one operator passed on the message to Morales. I guess because of his connection with Jaime.”

Lucy popped open a Diet Pepsi, listening and reading as Jet Ranger snored.

“What damn connection?” Marino sounded angry. “Tavern on the goddamn Green? I’m telling you, I don’t like that guy. He’s an asshole.”

“He says you might want to go talk to your witness again, long and short of it,” Benton said. “And maybe Jaime will want to, since it seems related to her big animal-cruelty case. But maybe first all of us should meet him at Oscar’s apartment while we’ve got the chance.”

“The lady lives across the street,” Marino said. “She was drinking when I saw her this afternoon. She started talking about getting another dog. I don’t know why she wouldn’t have said something about Loudin earlier. We were talking about dogs and Jaime’s anti-cruelty task force. We could go see her first, since we’re right here, then go to Oscar’s. He’s on the other side of the park, not far from where your apartment is. Not far from John Jay.”

“I think we should split up.” Berger’s voice. “You two go to Oscar’s. Marino and I will stay here.”

“I’d like to get back to John Jay,” Scarpetta said. “How does it work if the IP traces to John Jay? Wouldn’t the person who sent the e-mails have to be located there?”

Silence.

Scarpetta repeated her question and said, “Lucy? You still with us?”

“I’m sorry,” Lucy said. “I forgot I was here.”

“I didn’t know she was on the phone,” Benton said. “Maybe you could set your cell phone on the desk. I’m sorry, Lucy. Hello, Lucy.”

The cell phone clunked as Scarpetta set it down.