“I mean, I know she lives with another agent. A woman. But they’re just roommates, right?”

His meaning was plain, and I froze, looking up as he walked off, whistling. Furious, I collected an armload of paperwork and was getting up from my desk when Rose walked in.

“He can park his shoes under my bed anytime he wants,” she said in Ring’s wake.

“Please!” I couldn’t stand it. “I thought you were an intelligent woman, Rose.”

“I think you need some hot tea,” she said.

“Maybe so.” I sighed.

“But we have another matter first,” she said in her businesslike way. “Do you know someone named Keith Pleasants?”

“What about him?” For an instant, my mind locked.

“He’s in the lobby,” she said. “Very upset, refuses to leave until he sees you. I started to call security, but thought I should check . . .” The look on my face stopped her cold.

“Oh my God,” I exclaimed in dismay. “Did he and Ring see each other?”

“I have no idea,” she said, and now she was very perplexed. “Is something wrong?”

“Everything.” I sighed, dropping the paperwork back on my desk.

“Then you do or don’t want me to call security?”

“Don’t.” I walked briskly past her.

My heels were sharp and directed as I followed the hallway to the front, and around a corner into a lobby that had never been homey no matter how hard I had tried. No amount of tasteful furniture or prints on walls could disguise the terrible truths that brought people to these doors. Like Keith Pleasants, they sat woodenly on a blue upholstered couch that was supposed to be unprovocative and soothing. In shock, they stared at nothing or wept.

I pushed open the door as he sprung to his feet, eyes bloodshot. I could not quite tell if he were in a rage or a panic as he almost lunged at me. For an instant, I thought he was going to grab me or start swinging. But he awkwardly dropped his hands by his sides and glared at me, his face darkening as his outrage boiled over.

“You got no right to be saying things like that about me!” he exclaimed with clenched fists. “You don’t know me! Don’t know anything about me!”

“Easy, Keith,” I said, calmly, but with authority.

Motioning for him to sit back down, I pulled up a chair so I could face him. He was breathing hard, trembling, eyes wounded and filled with furious tears.

“You met me one time.” He shot a finger at me. “One lousy time and then say things.” His voice was quavering. “I’m about to lose my job.” He covered his mouth with a fist, averting his eyes as he fought for control.

“In the first place,” I said, “I have not said a word about you. Not to anyone.”

He glanced at me.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” My eyes were steady on him, and I spoke with quiet confidence that made him waver. “I wish you’d explain it to me.”