“I’ve one last question about your skinhead case,” Jack said to Laurie. “Did you find anything at autopsy that was helpful for the FBI?”

Laurie sighed and glanced at Lou. “Not really. What do you say, Lou?”

“Your impression that the stab wounds were made with a knife with a serrated upper edge might help,” Lou said. “Provided the knife turns up. Also the bullet you took out of the brain might be useful, but it’s hard to say at this point until ballistics looks at it. The fact that the crucifying nails were of Polish manufacture is not going to be any help because I’ve already found out they’re widely distributed.”

“So this PAA or People’s Aryan Army is still a metropolitan unknown?” Jack asked.

“I’m afraid so,” Lou said. “The only reassuring part is that Internet traffic concerning them has suddenly dropped off. We’re hoping that means whatever they’d been planning has been canceled.”

“Let’s hope so,” Jack said.

The appetizers began to arrive and the red wine was poured. The four concentrated on their food and for a time, conversation was minimal. Jack surreptitiously eyed Laurie but was unable to make any eye contact.

“Tell us about your case today,” Laurie said to Jack. “I heard it was another interesting one.”

Jack had to clear his throat. “Surprising yes, interesting ... somewhat. It was a case of inhalation anthrax.”

“Anthrax?” Lou questioned with obvious interest. “That’s a potential bioweapon.”

“It is indeed,” Jack agreed. “But fortunately or unfortunately, depending on your point of view, this case has a more prosaic origin. The victim had just imported a bunch of rugs from Turkey, where the disease is endemic. He’s apparently the only victim and the rugs are safely locked up in a warehouse in Queens. End of story. I couldn’t even get a rise out of the city epidemiologist.”

“Thank the Lord for small favors,” Laurie said.

“Amen,” Lou added.

The entrees arrived, and while the foursome ate their dinners the conversation stayed on neutral ground. The delay in addressing the real issue, whatever it was, only made Jack’s curiosity and anxiety mount. Adding to his anxiety was the subtle and, he couldn’t help but feel, inappropriate familiarity between Laurie and Paul. He noticed it in the way she touched his arm or the way he dabbed at the corner of her mouth with his napkin. In Jack’s mind these small intimacies were inappropriate because he knew she couldn’t have known the man long.

Finally, over coffee, Laurie cleared her throat and tapped her waterglass gently with her fork. Paul assumed a self-satisfied smile and leaned back. It was obvious that from his point of view this was Laurie’s party.

“I guess you guys must wonder why I invited you here tonight,” Laurie began.

No, the thought has never entered my mind, Jack said to himself while his pulse quickened.