“Sure, it was all over the TV and the papers.”

“The FBI spent sixteen years hunting him, and she worked on the case for the last couple of years. I think she learned a lot about how fugitives disappear.”

“I guess getting lost is an art,” Stone said.

“You bet your ass it is. Just think about all the ways there are to get caught these days, what with cell phone tracing and security cameras everywhere and the Internet. It doesn’t seem possible that somebody could just get lost, but that’s what she’s done.”

“But now she’s made a mistake,” Stone pointed out. “She’s contacted you.”

Dino shook his head slowly.

“Dino, do I need to point out that abetting a fugitive can end your career and get you some serious time? What are you going to do if she kills somebody else? Then you’re in deep shit.”

“I don’t think she will,” Dino said. “She killed the first one in a rage and the others to cover it up. She doesn’t have to cover up anything anymore.”

“Dino, you’re playing a very dangerous game here.”

“You think I don’t know that?”

“How about this: the next time she contacts you, tell her not to get in touch again, because you’ll have to turn her in. That would put you pretty much in the clear.”

“That’s a good idea, Stone. When I get home tonight, I’ll tell her just that.”

“You mean she’s in your apartment right now?”

“I told her I was going out with you, so she ordered a pizza.”

“Dino, promise me you’ll drop-kick her right into the street, first thing in the morning.”

“I will,” Dino said. “If I can.”

10

HERBIE WAS in his cubicle at Woodman & Weld at seven-thirty the following morning. He emptied his briefcase of the files he had worked on at home until midnight the night before, then walked up one level to one of the two partners’ floors, to Karla Martin’s office. Karla had a well-deserved reputation as the toughest partner in the firm where the treatment of associates was concerned.

With the knowledge of Mike Freeman’s offer bolstering his courage, Herbie walked into Karla’s office and dumped the stack of files on her desk. “Good morning, and there you are,” he said. “There’s a memo in each file listing the relevant precedents and case law. That makes you and me entirely up to date.” He walked over to a table in a corner where a coffee thermos sat and poured himself a cup, then sat down opposite her.

Karla stared at him, unblinking, a glare that any associate would have recognized in a flash as preceding heavy weather. “I don’t believe I invited you in for coffee,” she said acidly.

“That’s just one of the many mistakes you make with associates, Karla,” Herbie replied, “especially with me.”

“What?”

“I’ve spent two years shoring up your reputation in this firm, and I’m all done now. I’d like you to recommend me to Bill Eggers for senior associate.” This was a step toward partnership, and the appointments were handed out stingily. In fact, he thought, no one could remember Karla ever recommending anyone for senior associate.