“Thanks,” she said quickly, forcing a smile, “but I’ve got a cab coming. I don’t want to get sick again.”

“Oh. Well, see you tomorrow.”

She nodded. “Have a good evening.”

“You, too.”

She started up the steps.

“Tomorrow, I want you to pull out all the files you’ve got on Morris Duffy and any that are related to that cold case that might involve him,” he said.

Her heart skipped. “Of course,” she said, without turning.

“You’ve read the file, haven’t you?”

She half turned. “Yes.”

“His grandfather’s body was never found. Were neighbors questioned about any unusual activity?”

“Yes,” she said. “But the neighborhood was run-down and most people who lived there avoided any contact with the police. Besides, there was a violent drug gang whose leader lived there. People were afraid to talk.”

He pursed his chiseled lips. “It might not be a bad idea to canvass the neighborhood again. If there are any elderly people in the vicinity who knew the missing man, they might be less afraid to talk about the case now.”

She nodded. “That’s a good idea.” Inwardly she was cringing. If he looked at that file, the address might ring a bell. A big one. “Well, I’ll get going. See you tomorrow, boss.”

“Sure.”

He was deep in thought. The case worried him. There was something so familiar about it, about the people involved. It irritated him that he couldn’t drag the details out of his mind.

He was probably just tired, he told himself. It had been a long week. At least tomorrow was Friday, something to look forward to. He might talk Grace into coming to the ranch or going out to dance with him. He smiled to himself.

Clancey wasn’t smiling. She sat rigidly in the back of the cab as it pulled up at the curb where Tad’s after-school program was held. She ran to get him, and ran back with him. The meter was still running. She had the cab stop by their house so that she could pick up their few prized possessions. Then it was off to take them to Cal.

The cab dropped them off at Cal Hollister’s office building. She phoned him on the way, so that she wouldn’t have any trouble getting into the building with Tad. He shepherded them into his office and closed the door.

His eyes were sad as he surveyed the few things Clancey had brought and registered the misery on her face.

“He won’t hurt either of you,” Cal said, cutting to the heart of the matter. “I promise you he won’t.”

She drew in a breath and fought tears. “Thanks.”