“Exactly. We’ve sent out a BOLO for Rudy’s car—”

“A BOLO?”

“Be on the lookout.”

“You actually use that phrase?”

“We do.”

Genoa smiled. “You’ve done some work, but the case is far from solved.”

“That’s true, but we’re still on it. No one has thrown in the towel.”

A pause. “I once learned in psychology that partial reinforcement increases behavior. Do you know what I’m saying?”

“Yes, I do, Ms. Greeves. Reward a little for each successful step and the person will keep working for the next reward.”

“Exactly. I suppose you deserve a partial reinforcement.”

“Not me, ma’am, the police department. I’m just an employee.”

“See, that’s what I abhor about the government. There is no personal incentive.”

“I have plenty of incentive, Ms. Greeves. My job is very important to me. My reward is getting the bad guy behind bars.”

“You’re telling me that you don’t work for money?”

“No, I wouldn’t work for free.”

“So what’s wrong with my giving you an extra incentive?”

“It just doesn’t work that way. But I certainly don’t want to discourage you, if you want to do something for the police or for the community. I know Captain Strapp is waiting to talk to you. Ask him what we need.”

“I don’t like that man. He’s not sincere.”

“He is sincere. He’s just nervous around you.”

Genoa smiled. Then she grew serious. “Out of all the people in the case, you know who I identify with?”

“Who’s that?”

“Ryan Goldberg. His fate could have been mine if it hadn’t been for Dr. Ben.” She stood up. “All right. I’ll meet with your captain and throw him a bone. Keep me informed if something new happens.”

“I will.”

“Let me know if you find Rudy or Goldberg or if you find Rudy’s car. I would think while it might be hard to find a person, it shouldn’t be so hard to find a car.”

“Think how hard it is to find your keys when you’ve misplaced them in your own house.”

She considered his words. “Yes, that is a good point, although I have a thirty-thousand-square-foot house.”

Decker smiled, but she failed to see the humor. “The car could have been repainted, it could have been chopped up, it could be holed up in a garage, or it could be right under our noses. America’s a big country, Ms. Greeves. There’s lots of space to get lost.”

THE PILLOW BEGAN to vibrate: little tiny fingers massaging his cheek. Without opening his eyes, Decker pulled the covers over his head, reached underneath, and extracted the phone.

“Decker.”

“This is what I got, and I don’t know how reliable it is.”

The voice jolted him awake. His heart began to pound.