Yuck, was all Vanessa could think. Aloud, she said, What about Sylvia Porter?
I havent seen her.
Sure about that? Rick asked, but this time Bobby held firm.
The last time I saw snotty Sylvia was at her graduation. She ditched her cap and gown and me along with them.
You were involved with her? Vanessa watched his twitching left eye go crazy. Not just dating but actually involved with?
She came on to me.
Now he sounded downright belligerent. Vanessa kept her tone neutral. No need to defend, Bobby. Sylvia wasnt a minor. Do you have any idea where she is now?
No. Look, I didnt kill her if thats what youre asking.
It isnt. Rick leaned on the window frame. But if you have information, like whether shes alive or dead, now would be the time to mention it.
Bobby scowled. He looked like a petulant child, except for his double chin. Ive told you what I know. Now if thats all, I have work to do.
Not quite all, Bobby. Vanessa took up a position across from Rick. We have a few more questions. Unless youd rather come downtown.
Bobby recognized the trap. He returned her stare. I have nothing to hide. Ask your questions.
Thirty minutes laterand Vanessa suspected Rick had dragged it out longer than necessarythey were back on the street, free from the smells of chicken and rotting flowers. She shuddered off a strong sensation of decay and dropped her sunglasses into place.
Rick ran a finger along her arm. Bit of a telling shiver there, Vanessa.
He used to touch us, she revealed. You know, position our hands and correct our stances. It didnt seem so creepy back then, but at the moment I think Id rather be lowered into a pit of spiders than let him get within five feet of me.
Hes hiding something.
I agree. Im just not sure it involves any of the victimsalthough he did lie about seeing Deirdre.
Id say Mr. Valley rates a thorough investigation.
By you or me?
Ill do it. Im used to being immersed in slime.
So am I, but you can have this one with my blessing. And sincere sympathy.
The sun beat down on Vanessas head and shoulders. She tipped her face toward it. A streetcar clanged in the distance. A horn blasted nearby. A gorgeous man walked beside her. Im hungry, she said. Wanna take a stroll along the pier?
Is there an Armenian food stall there?
No, but theres a great twisty pretzel stand. They have fifty different kinds of mustard. She paused, then glanced across the street. Did you ever see The Thomas Crown Affair?
I might have. Whats the story line?
There was this wealthy man, main character, who was leading a double life as a thief. He only stole for the challenge butwell, thats not the point. I was looking at Bobby, and it suddenly occurred to me that if you stripped off those ridiculous shortsgross thoughtand the canary-yellow T, dressed him in normal clothes and gave him a purpose, hed look a lot like the guy in that movie. Lead character played in the original by one Steve McQueen.
Questioning Bobby turned out to be the highlight of Vanessas day. When she returned to the station, she discovered that the central air had broken down. Later, two leads dried up, concerning an investigation shed been working on for six weeks.
An informant shed come to rely on overdosed and had to have his heart restarted by paramedics, and Captain Palmer was barking at everyone in sight, including Geri who had nothing to do with anything. By the time she reached Vanessas desk, her face was flushed and her eyes snapping.
Ungrateful man. She batted damp strands of streaked blond hair from her cheeks. I spend half the night going through dusty, old boxes for him, and he tells me to back off and leave the investigation to the pros. She slapped a bundle of leather bound books onto Vanessas desk. My college journals. I used to live in these things. I was thinking investigative reporter back then, so theyre packed with details. Mostly irrelevant, I imagine, but as one of the wannabes there could be a lead or two inside.
Guilt rippled through Vanessas system. Shed known Geri well in college but had never pushed to make her one of the group.
Now I feel like slime, she murmured.
Misunderstanding her, Geri plucked at the string-tied stack. Anyone would in this heat. So hows it going? I know youre holding up, but is that a brave front or the truth?
She wouldnt acknowledge the fear, Vanessa promised herself. Shed take all the necessary precautions, but no actual fear would sneak past her guardor her lips.
Im good. I watched an old movie last night, then slept like the dead. So much for her lips. She flicked her wrist. You know what I mean.
You slept, Geri repeated. You also ateI hopethen used your treadmill until your leg muscles went numb. But scary is scary, Vanessa, and theres a loony wandering around, one whos armed with a multitude of weapons.
Not helping me here, Geri.
I know. Im sorry. Its just weird. While I was going through my journals, I kept having these ridiculous mixed feelings. On one hand, Im glad I wasnt one of the group at Berkeley, but on the other, and even though three of the women in that group are dead, I still wish Id belonged. I mean, really, how messed up is that?
You felt left out. Resentment dies hard, right? Its a normal human reaction.
Her friend exhaled. I guess. But I have to tell you, Van, I had a lot of pent up hostility at college. I dont feel as bad about your friends as I probably should.
Only human. Vanessa wheeled back from her computer. You say you went through your journals. Do you have any idea who might have taken hostility to a whole new level?
Not a clue, and believe me, I was looking, and thinking. Hard. Her gaze wandered to the captains office. No red-hot bodyguard today?
Mmm, hes in an empty office, doing FBI stuff. Vanessa closed her current file and drew the bundle of books forward. I appreciate the effort, even if Palmer doesnt. Hes been like a bear with a thorn all day. The mayors riding his butt about something. And Ricks not making his life any easier by wanting to question Orrin OMalley.
Agent Maguire wants to talk to Orry-O-Speedwagon? Sarcasm thickened Geris tone. I wonder why?
Orrys past is an open book, Ger. He did some drugs, joined a few radical groups, took part in even more radical protests, but most of it was for the greater good. And hey, a drug thing followed by a successful rehab only makes him sympathetic. One might even say heroic.
I know the spiel. I also remember Orry. He wouldnt hurt flies in college. All life is sacred, right? But he shot at and would have killed a man two years ago in Sausalito.
A mugger came at him with a knife.
And Orry just happened to be packing a gun? Come on, thats not the guy we knew in college. Id give him a good grilling if I were the FBI. Then Id move on to the faculty. How many professors did you guys have in common?
Vanessa fanned her face with an envelope. Only Willis Reed, the English-Lit prof. I asked you about him the other day. Hes on the list below Bobby and above Orry.
Geri drew a circle on the top journal. So give me the scoop. Is he sexy?
Vanessa smiled. Should I play dumb, or are you in a hurry?
No and yes. Okay, I know the questions shallow and irrelevant, but I sense youre tired of shoptalk, especially from me, so lets go off on a tangent. I think your Fed bodyguard has a fantastic butt.
Noticed it.
Did you notice the flip side, as well?
You have a one track mind that lives below the waistband, Counselor Kruger. A moments hesitation, then she admitted, Of course I noticed.
Uh-oh. Geris smile froze, and Vanessa winced. Standing behind me, right?
It wasnt Geri who answered, but Rick who bent over her chair and placed his mouth next to her ear. The flip side of what, Vanessa?
She tapped his head with the envelope. I dont talk to eavesdroppers. But her cheeks were hot, and it had nothing to do with the malfunctioning AC. Geri brought us some reading material.
I like to write, her friend explained. Long nights at college, a girl and her pen With a helpless look at Vanessa, she asked, Do you, uh, work out, Agent Maguire?
Rick. I prefer to run. He took the envelope from Vanessa, turned it over.
Vanessa runs. Geri settled a hip on the desk. I bounce. Trampoline. Its easier. I started when my husband and I split up six months ago. Thankfully, Im almost divorced.
Ricks smile was distracted. Like two-thirds of the North American population.
What stat sheets do you read? However, when his arms came around her neck, the next words died in Vanessas throat. Even Geri looked somewhat disconcerted. Uh, Rick?
Where did this come from?
What come from? All Vanessa could see was a white blur. She clamped her hands onto his wrists. Stop shaking the paper, and I might be able to answer you.
Geri leaned in. What is it?
Rick held the sheet steady. When Vanessas eyes focused, the bold, black words leaped out at her.
NO DEATH CAN BE UNDONE.
NOT THE ONE THAT MATTERS,
AND NOT YOURS.