“No. The Russians have their own muscle. I’ve been wrong about him all along. I think he was looking for those missing files. He wanted the money for Cheryl. He followed me for a while and leaned on me. When that didn’t work, he upped the stakes. By the way, did these two get you the files from Richie’s backpack?”

“Yes,” Lester replied. “They’re legit.”

Ted turned to Duran. “And have you been able to locate Barbara Miller?”

“The NYPD has been a little busy today. This serial murderer has everybody’s attention.”

“So what if he comes for you?” Lester asked.

Ted had had a long time to think this through on the subway. “I’d rather not run into him—he’ll kill me if it’s easy—but he’s on a mission. I’m only the sideshow.”

The little woman behind the counter yelled something in their direction. It could have been his name. “I think my food’s up.” He brought the two trays to the table and dug in. “Help yourselves,” he offered.

“Supposing you’re right, why would he come here?” Kasabian asked.

Ted swallowed a pork and chive dumpling and washed it down with the water. “Because the lawyer is here. Nicky must have tried her at work, but he got the automatic out-of-office response. So after he shot the Reisners, he went into Manhattan to try her at home. She wasn’t there either. Where else might a lawyer be found? Here. At the courthouse. Or next door at civil court. Supreme court for real estate, next door for her estate practice. This block is where Jackie does half or more of her business. He’s probably seen her here. Cheryl could have pointed her out.”

They all turned their heads and stared out the window. Neither Jackie nor Stavros strode by.

“Suppose he’s wrong,” Duran said, his eyes turning back to Ted. “Or you’re wrong.”

“Jackie’s here,” he said. “Bank on it.” He reached for the noodles with his chopsticks, but Duran gripped his wrist.

“Talk first,” the detective said.

Ted snagged a single noodle, put one end in his mouth, and sucked it in. He stared at the cop while he put his thoughts and suppositions in order. He knew he was right, but he needed them to believe. “Clavette doesn’t know she’s untouchable. It’s all about family and she’s an outsider. In her shoes, I’d feel the same. And she is looking at the whole conspiracy blowing up. The feds may have Cheryl, but there’s no way that Jackie is going to come out of this looking good. She not only passed along the bribes; she stole from a client. Conned the old lady out of millions. But she doesn’t panic. Our heroine is tough. She figures the only thing to do is to put the milk back in the bottle.”