He had more information today than they’d had this weekend, and he had spent the afternoon recording interviews with key people—people who had refused to talk to him before. They might have refused today, except that Regan went to bat for him.

There was a knock on the studio door, and he jumped. He saw Henry Clarkson through the glass and waved him in.

“How are you doing?” Clarkson asked.

“Okay.”

“You don’t sound confident.”

“Sad. I don’t know why.”

“Because murder is senseless. You either get angry or you get sad. Sometimes, a combination of both.” He sat down. “You did a good thing here, Lucas. Don’t start second-guessing yourself.”

“Taylor James is dead because I did this podcast. Nicole Bergamo was poisoned. She almost died. I could have died. I’m not ready to die. That sounds lame.”

“No. It does not sound lame. If anything, it should remind you that every day is a gift. If you’re religious, you might say every day is gift from God. If you’re not, you might just call it living in the moment. You are going to go far, Lucas. You have compassion and intelligence, and you’ll use both in your chosen field.”

“There were so many mistakes in the investigation, but not on purpose. Just little things—like the delay from the lab on Candace’s lungs. I don’t want to make mistakes that might let a killer go free.”

“We all make mistakes, Lucas. It’s a part of life, a part of growing up. It’s owning those mistakes, of trying to not make the same mistake twice. Of learning each and every day.”

Lizzy burst in. “Oh. Sorry. Didn’t see you, Professor.”

Clarkson smiled and stood. “Good to see you, Ms. Choi. I’m going. I’ll be listening live tonight. I’m going over to John Merritt’s house to listen with him and Regan.” He glanced at his watch. “I’d better hurry.”

“You have time. Lizzy and I have a lot of work to do first. And, Professor, thank you. I’ll be okay. I’m just working through things.”

“I know you’ll be fine. But I’m always here if you need someone to listen.”

Clarkson left, and Lizzy kissed Lucas. “I wish you’d have waited for me.”

“Stop worrying.”

“I came from your apartment. I helped Mrs. Levitz find her last missing cat. She’s much happier to have them all together again.”

The fire department had cleared the apartment for residents to move back in today. Troy had gotten him and Lucas an Airbnb for the week, said he was touched that Lucas had thought to save his football-card collection, even though there was no fire. And even though they could move back in now, the place still reeked of sulfur and smoke. Mrs. Levitz brought in industrial fans to help air everything out.