Banks sat up in his chair. “It might not be a bad idea to have somebody tail Duffy when he gets home. He’ll be assigned a parole officer. I’ll make it my business to see that he never misses a meeting,” Banks added curtly. “Meanwhile, you might see if Lieutenant Marquez can spare an officer to watch your back.”

Clancey, overhearing the statement, felt her heart jump. Morris was on his way home? No! He couldn’t be. She stayed where she was, still and quiet, and waited for any more snippets of news about her stepbrother.

“Word is that he’ll be here within the week,” Darrell told him. “I’ve already asked Lieutenant Marquez about having somebody shadow me. He’s assigning one of his officers to follow me around, just in case. I’ve had death threats before, of course—we all get them. But this is one I pay attention to. If Duffy actually killed his grandfather, a second murder isn’t going to ruffle him one bit. After all, he got away with the first one—assuming he did kill the gentleman in question.”

“I’ll keep an eye out. I’ll talk to victim services. They should know when he’s due home. Does he have a place to live?”

“Yes. He owns a house. Some relatives have been living in it.”

“Ask Marquez to double the patrols around it. They might see something interesting.”

“I’ll do that. If you hear anything, please call me.”

“I certainly will.”

He hung up, checked information for the number and called victim services. “Is that Melody?” he asked when a familiar voice came on the line.

“It is. Hi, Banks, long time no see!”

“Same here,” he chuckled. “Listen, do you have any information on Morris Duffy yet?”

“Let me check.” There was a pause. “Yes, I do. He’s being released Friday. He should be here within a day or two of that. Why?”

“Darrell Tarley is worried. The man made death threats.”

“I’d be more concerned about Morris’s stepsister and stepbrother. It was his stepsister’s testimony that sent him to prison. If he’s out for revenge, she’ll be first on his list.”

“I’ll have to track them down,” he said.

“You won’t have to look far,” she began, and got interrupted. “I have to go. If you need anything else, call me back, okay?”

“Okay. Thanks.”

He put up the phone and scowled. What an odd statement. Why wouldn’t he have to look far for Duffy’s family?

“What was that all about?” Clancey asked with pretended unconcern.

“What? Oh. The assistant district attorney’s worried about Morris Duffy being released. He’s made death threats.”

“Duffy’s in prison,” she began.