“That’s all I can give you now.”

“Pictures?”

“The murder room when we’ve been in there. Forget the body. If we turn up a snapshot of Leikman we’ll pass it to you.”

“Pictures of you, Lieutenant?”

“Headquarters has shots of us all. What you get downstairs and so forth is up to you.” He turned to Carl Shultzer and nodded, then went back into the apartment. The appearance of Davis had forced him to see the reporters, because Davis had a way of making anyone or anything opposing him look incompetent, shirking, or corrupt. Leland had been obliged to protect the Department, the Precinct, and the men on this case, including himself; but now he had to realize that he could not conduct the investigation itself in response to bullying tactics. False steps could wreck a case. Still, a statement would come from Davis’ office tomorrow, obscuring the facts and pressing Leland’s superiors—Davis would go a long way to cover his own sudden embarrassing exit here tonight. For the sake of all, Leland had to appear to be making important moves. Davis’ ego and influence were that powerful, as all those who had had even the most remote contact with him could testify. Davis had a public following that was not interested in his personality. It respected him as a figure of unstinting, expert beneficence. Weighing it all, and still wondering why Davis had come here in the first place, Leland made his decisions.

He asked Maule and Tanner if they were getting any prints.

“We peeled some beauts off the liquor cabinet and the glasses. One of those drinks is nonalcoholic, by the way,” Tanner said.

To Curran, Leland said, “We’re going to issue a call for a John Doe, white, middle twenties or early thirties, five-five or five-six, heavyset or broad build, dark-brown wavy hair. Conscious of his appearance. May be carrying suitcases and bearing the marks of a fight. Wanted for murder. That will go out to the counties and the State Police as well. He may be on the roads.”

“It’s slim, Joe.”

“You think we’re plunging? We could have given that to the newspapers. All I want is a little luck.”