“Then, I’m really honored. And it was one of my best nights ever, Katie. Yes, I understand. No, I don’t expect anything from you. But in a time and place that seems to be pure hell, you made the world seem right and livable for me again. You are incredible. I won’t ask you for any commitments. Just know I think you’re wonderful in so many ways. And I’m...grateful for and amazed by last night.”

He didn’t wait for her reply but twisted the key in the ignition.

He drove down to Rampart and over to the CBD, finagling to find parking on the street. Katie followed him up to his office.

Marleah was behind her desk in the reception area busy at work on her computer. She looked up and smiled a greeting when he entered, standing when she saw that Katie was behind him.

“Well, hello. I didn’t expect to see you, Dan. The Axeman case...is it over? Did you catch him?” she asked hopefully.

“No, Marleah, I’m sorry. I just thought I’d stop by and finish up with the Wendy Lawrence paperwork. Did she come by the office?” he asked.

“No. And I left the paperwork and pictures on your desk, and I have it all digitally in the computer.” She waited.

Dan turned to Katie. “Katie Delaney, Marleah Darwin, the most amazing office assistant, secretary...receptionist and all to be found on the face of the earth.”

Marleah flushed, reaching over to shake Katie’s hand. “My main claim to fame and extraordinary powers is that I can sometimes fathom his mind,” she said. “Katie, a pleasure to meet you.”

Katie smiled, obviously liking the woman immediately. She turned to him curiously. He wondered if she’d expected him to have a twentysomething secretary with Mardi Gras breasts.

“I’ll just clean that all up,” Dan said, indicating his office.

“Please, tell me that you won’t work for that woman again!” Marleah begged as he and Katie headed into his office. “She called again after you left her a message.”

Dan stopped and turned back to her.

“You could have called me. I’d have gotten back to her.”

“No need. She just wanted you to know that while you may be the best in the city, she’d make sure that she smeared you everywhere for refusing to find her husband cheating.”

Dan shook his head and shrugged. “Not to worry, Marleah.”

He went behind his desk. Katie sat in one of the chairs in front of it, a dry smile of amusement on her face.

“So you were chasing cheating husbands?” she asked.