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He shook his head regretfully "Dr Kleinert told me she’d kicked him out Damn shaot her share of trouble right now I hate to see her saddled with so else"

"Me, too," I said "Do you needover at Nola "I’ve got some work to do at the hospital, but I shouldn’t be back too late Do we have dinner plans?"

She sh she had to clear her throat before she could speak "I thought we’d eat here if that’s all right with you"

"Sure, it’s fine Well I’ll let you two hatch your little schemes Nice to see you, Kinsey"

"Actually we’re finished," Nola said, getting up

"Oh, well good," he said, "I’ll walk you out"

I knew she was just using his appearance as a way to terminate the conversation, but I couldn’t think of any delaying tactics, especially with the two of theood-byes and then Dr Fraker held the door for lanced back, I could see that Nola’s expression was tinged with anxiety, and I suspected she ishing she’d kept her secret to herself She had a lot at stake: freedom, money, status, respectability She was vulnerable to anyone who knehat I noondered how desperate she was to hang on to what she had and what kind of payment had been extracted from her as a result

Chapter 23

I went into the office There was a pile of athered that up and tossed it onthe French doors to let in soI sat down and pressed the playback button

The e was from my friend at the telephone company with a report on the disconnect for S Blacke sixty-six, with a forwarding address in Te If all else failed, I could double back and check that out to see if there was any tie to Bobby Somehow I doubted it I made a note in his file There was a certain security in having it all co happened toafterward and pick up the thread-a griiven Bobby’s fate

I spent the next hour and a half going throughA couple of checks had co out a deposit slip One statement had been shipped back to me unopened,purple finger pointing right atfor services rendered I’d done souy, too I’d known he was a slow pay, but I didn’t think he’d actually stiff me for my fee I set it aside I’d have to track him dohen I had solanced at the phone I knew there was a call I shouldin the number before I lost my nerve

"Santa Teresa Police Departeant Robb in Missing Persons"

"Just ain a way that made ating the disappearance of a wouy with a bland face, , direct, a bit of a rebel, pirating copies of soainst all the rules He’d been h-school sweetheart, who’d abandoned hi him with a freezer full of crappy dinners that she’d done up herself He hadn’t been flashy but I don’t look for that anyway and I’d liked him a lot We’d never been lovers, but he’d exhibited a bit of healthy male interest and I’d taken a dim view of it when he went back to his wife Face it, I was miffed, and I’d kept my distance from him ever since

"Robb here"

"Jesus," I said, "I haven’t even talked to you yet and I’m already pissed"

I could hear hihed "Yes, it’s ured out how frosted I a about "God I know, babe What a load of pig swill that was I’ve thought about you so often"

I was saying "uh-hun, uh-hun" in what I hoped was my most skeptical tone "How’s Camilla?"