He moved his neck about within his suit collar. “That’s what I’ve been trying to figure out, not that it does any good for Russ or Martha. The area is completely desolate up there. It would make for a great lovers’ lane but there’s not a lot of places to park without risking your life. An hour can pass without a car going by. The only reason anyone knew there’d been an accident was because the car caught fire after it crashed and the flames could be seen above Claremont Avenue. The fire was reported around one-thirty, so it stands to reason it happened some time between one-fifteen and then. By the time we got there, both of them were pretty much burned to a crisp—” He went pale for a moment and coughed into a handkerchief he produced from his pants pocket. “Excuse me, I’m used to this stuff, but it’s different when you know the person.”

Sitting there, I suddenly panicked as I envisioned Gail and Toby Ackland borrowing Russ’s Studebaker in order to park and pet amid the wilds of Grizzly Peak. This was not impossible. I hadn’t actually seen how the four of them had arrived or departed last night. Perhaps Gail, leaving in a huff, took Russ’s car, figuring that in his drunken state, it would be safer for him and Martha to take a taxi home.

“Are you sure it was Martha?” I said, trying not to show my anxiety.

Culpepper reassured me. “The coroner’s had a busy morning. We found a little black book in Martha’s metal clutch bag with all her telephone numbers, including her doctor and dentist, and the same for Russ. We got her dental records at nine A.M., his by a quarter after, and by ten we had a positive I.D. on her. Russ we’re still working on—apparently there was some damage to his jaw on impact—”

“But as far as Martha goes, there’s no way it could have been anyone else?”

“You can speak to the coroner himself if you like; it was a perfect match.” He permitted himself the smallest smile of understanding. “Listen, if you’re worried about what I think you’re worried about, let me reassure you that I talked to Gail this morning.”

“In person?”