“If you want to talk to him again, I’ll go with you, but I believe Jared is telling the truth. When I left him, I took some things from their house that should have their prints, and gave them to John Chen. I don’t know that these people are in the system, but they might be, and the prints might help us figure this out. Also, I spoke with Lucy. Until we hear back from Chen, all I could give her were their names, but her investigator is going to see what he can find in New Orleans. That’s it. That’s been my day.”

Pike seemed to sway, as if pushed by a breeze, only the air was still.

“I’m sorry, man. If you want me to call off Chen and Lucy, I will.”

Pike turned toward the canyon and placed his hands on the rail. Cole wondered if he needed the rail to stop swaying.

“No. Don’t call them off.”

“All right. You want another beer?”

Pike shook his head.

Cole said, “What do you want to do?”

“About what?”

“We’re in this because you want to help this woman. I’m fine with that, but now, well, maybe things have changed.”

“She still needs help.”

“Okay. If that’s what you want.”

“That’s what I want.”

The cat whipped and twitched its tail at a furious rate, and its eyes were dangerous slits.

Cole said, “I’m sorry, man.”

His phone rang. Cole wasn’t going to answer, but decided to give Pike some time. He covered the grill then went inside for the phone. He scooped up the handset a second after the message machine, and spoke over the recording.

“Hey, I’m here. Don’t hang up—it’ll stop.”

“Mr. Cole?”

Cole didn’t recognize the man’s voice.

“That’s right. Who’s this?”

“My name is Charles Laine. You were at my home today on the canal. You spoke with my housekeeper about my surveillance system.”

Cole glanced outside to signal Pike, but Pike had left the rail.

“Yes, sir. Thanks for getting back to me.”

“Not a problem. Is this about the police investigation? The police came by yesterday.”

“Yes, sir, same thing, but I am not a police officer. I’m a licensed investigator working in private employ.”

“I know. I have your card here. Irma says you asked if we record the camera feed.”

Cole looked at the opposite end of the deck, but still did not see Pike.

“Yes, sir. We’re looking to identify two men who might have passed by your house yesterday morning.”

“I might be able to help. The system I have here records, but I’m not sure if you’ll see enough of the street. I know you can see some of it, but the camera is set up to show people who come to the gate.”