A smile went on the big man’s face. “Yes, I can.” He sat down on the sagging couch and began to finger a few rifts. Within minutes, he was playing like the professional that Liam claimed he was. The transformation was otherworldly. Tension melted off his face, his tic had all but disappeared. Decker listened to him for the better part of an hour without saying a word. Finally he knew he had to leave.

“That was beautiful, Mudd.”

“Want me to play more?”

“Uh, you can, but I have to leave. I have to go back to work.” With effort, Mudd stood up, gingerly wrapped the guitar back in the blanket and stowed it back in the kitchen. “Thanks for visiting.”

“You’re welcome. Your guitar is very expensive—”

“It’s a Martin.”

“I know that. Don’t tell anyone you own it, okay? Some not nice people might try to steal it.”

“That’s what my brother says.”

“Your brother is right.”

“All right. I won’t tell anyone else except my brother.”

“Good. Take care of yourself, Mudd.”

“Oh, I will take care of myself.” The big man nodded. “I promised my brother I will take care. He’s a doctor.”

CHAPTER 16

MARGE LANDED WITH a half hour to spare, just about enough time to rent a car, check the maps, and arrive at Darnell Arlington’s house on time if traffic wasn’t a problem. And from the looks of the town, it appeared that traffic was never a problem. An empty highway passed through a commercial area that was gone in a heartbeat, and then it split through a residential neighborhood of modest houses composed of brick and stone.

In the dark, Marge could see that Arlington’s two-story home was set on a patch of lawn, the lane shrouded in the shadows of lacy elms. Street lighting was minimal. Perhaps crime was so low that L.A.-style klieg lights weren’t necessary. She parked in front of the address, walked up a cement pathway, and rang the bell. The woman who answered the door had a baby on her right hip and a toddler on her left clutching the hem of the woman’s skirt. Both children appeared to be girls. “Sergeant Dunn?”

“Yes, that’s me.” She showed the woman her badge. “Mrs. Arlington?”

“Yes. Call me Tish. Please come in.”

“Thank you, Tish.”

She nudged the toddler. “Crystal, get out of the way.” The little girl didn’t move. Tish then scooped the girl up until both babies were in her arms. She managed to hold the load with an erect spine. “Come in.”

The house was tidy and furnished conservatively: flowered sofa with a matching chair, coffee and end tables with lamps and magazines, a fireplace with family photos. There was also a large playpen filled with toys. Tish lowered both girls inside the cage. “Y’all be good, you hear?” She turned to Marge. “Coffee?”

“Please.”