Mahler kept his focus on Partridge. “Actually, we’re going to question your client every time anyone is injured in any way in the park.”

“I’m going to interpret that remark as sarcasm.” Everest leaned forward. “Because, if any part of it were true, it would constitute harassment.”

“This is like last time,” Partridge said. “You guys are so fucking lost. You don’t have a clue.”

Mahler saw a smile form on Partridge’s lips. He felt his fingers tighten around the pencil. He imagined reaching out and jamming the pencil into Partridge’s forehead.

“Where’s that old guy who questioned me?” Partridge’s voice rose. “What was his name? Woodhouse? Man, you guys are embarrassing.”

Mahler remembered the hours he and Tommy Woodhouse had spent across the table from Partridge, the self-satisfied smile never leaving his face.

“Irwin,” Everest said, “we’re here to answer their questions. It’s not necessary to make any statement.”

“Except, of course, you, darlin’,” Partridge said to Eden. “You seem smarter than the others. And cute, too, in a steel-rod-up-your-ass kind of way.”

Eden looked back at him.

“You’re interested in this, aren’t you? Did you study it in college? Want to write a paper about me?”

Eden’s face flushed.

“Oh, my goodness. Did I hit a nerve? Yahoo! Something really did happen in college. Get too close to the fire?”

Mahler watched a sudden shift in Partridge. In his attempt to provoke Eden, Partridge lost his cool detachment. He hunched forward.

For the first time Eden spoke. “It’s not relevant to your…situation.”

“You sure?” Partridge asked. “Maybe you should get to know my situation. When it comes to men, I’d guess you’re innocent.”

Mahler heard the edge in the words. What was going on? It was as if Partridge was so intent on his prey, he’d forgotten where he was.

Eden straightened in her chair. “What you’re doing is called misdirection. Because you’re uncomfortable with these questions, you’re trying to shift the conversation away from you to me. But your subconscious is unable to separate the content, so you ended up asserting my innocence, not your own.”

Partridge smiled and sat back. “I was wrong about that steel rod. It must be titanium.”

The moment was over, but it was enough. Mahler turned to Everest and smiled. “We’re going to reopen the investigations into the Foss and Hart murders.”

Mahler felt Eden looking at him but did not turn away from Everest.

The lawyer shook his head. “I assumed this latest murder would be a high priority for your squad. I wouldn’t think you have time for two old cases.”

“We have time to do whatever we want.”

“Oh, good,” Partridge said. “Is it going to be dumb-and-dumber again, or college girl?”