page64 (1/2)

“Thea full workup She hasn’t determined the cause of death” That was pretty much true

I asked Nugent questions about his travel plans, the state of his e, and if either he or his wife had been harassed in person, on the phone, or on the internet

The bereaved lass, he had zero ability to focus The er had a bellman take him to his room, and Rich and I talked about the e had in front of us: checking Nugent’s financials, his insurance policies, his internet life But I didn’t see anything in this man that would lead me to think he had killed his wife

We interviewed the daythe doorent went down He was earnest and professional, and he had called 911—but his back had been to the street when the shouting started

We headed back to the Hall with plans to return in three hours and interview the night staff

I said to ot male victims, female victims Local folks and out-of-towners Some that ell off and some that were street sleepers Were they all victims of opportunity? Does the perp just kill at random?”

Rich turned down the radio I realized I’d been shouting

I said it again “Let’s run Nugent’s nah the computer”

“Copy that, Captain Obvious”

Conklin was laughing when Brady called

“Boxer, you got Conklin with you?”

“He’s right here”

“Good Our favorite science teacher was beaten up pretty good last night He’s conscious and talking Why don’t you head on over to San Francisco General”

CHAPTER 63

CONNOR GRANT WAS lying in a hospital bed, snoring loudly His eyes were blackened, his nose was taped, and every part of him that I could see was bruised, contused, or abraded Looked like after he’d been beaten all to hell, he’d been dragged behind a pickup for a couple of miles