“Ms. Chicoine is in custody, Mr. Walker. I would have thought that you’d know that. My understanding, from speaking with her, is that you were present when she was arrested. She’s already indicated to me that if anyone asks, you were trying to persuade her to turn herself in, so I don’t think you have any cause for concern.”

“That’s not what I’m calling about. I need to see her. I don’t even know which facility she’s being held in. But I need to get in and speak with her.”

“What about?”

“It’s very important, to her.”

“I’m her attorney, Mr. Walker. Anything that concerns Ms. Chicoine you can discuss with me.”

Merker shook his head.

“I’d like to, Mr. Wagland, but I have something I must tell Ms. Chicoine, in person. If she decides to share that information with you, I guess that would be up to her.”

“This is highly irregular. And I can’t just pick up the phone and arrange for you to visit someone in a correctional facility.”

“I figured that a call from you to the facility might carry more weight than one from me. Mr. Wagland, I wish I could be more specific, but if you can’t get me in to see Trixie—Miranda—then something very, very awful might happen.”

Wagland was quiet a moment. “What sort of thing?”

“I can’t say.” I paused. “So Miranda has spoken to you of me?”

“Yes.”

“Has she said anything to indicate that I’m less than trustworthy? That I’d have anything but her best interests at heart?”

“No.”

“You have to trust me on this.”

“Give me your number. I’ll see what I can do and will call you back.”

“Thank you.” I gave him the number and hung up.

As I turned to face Merker he grabbed the front of my shirt and shoved me up against the wall. He had his face in mine, and I could see a small booger half hanging out of one nostril. “You were supposed to get in and see her.”

“Jesus,” I said, trying to back away with no place to go. “He said he’s going to see what he can do and call back. Weren’t you listening? You think I can get in to see her just like that?”

“Fuck,” Merker said, turning away. “How long before he calls?”

“I don’t know. We’ll just have to sit tight and see.”

Mrs. Gorkin appeared at the kitchen door. “What is happening?”

Merker said, “We’re waiting for a call back.”

In the living room, I could hear Ludmilla and Leo chatting like old friends. “What kind of food do you like?” she asked.

“I like everything,” Leo said.

“I am a good cook.”

“Yeah, of crap,” said Gavrilla. Mrs. Gorkin went back to the living room and yelled at her girls to shut up.