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She ive him the case Fail me like you always fail me”

Wow, I thought, that was harsh and cruel and out loud Why would anyone stay with a spouse who talked to them like that?

“It’s okay, Todd,” Duke said, and this time his voice was kind, a hell of a lot kinder than Muriel’s had been

I realized that Duke felt sorry for the man I think we all did, but it felt more personal with Duke Just the few remarks between him and Muriel had io Did he look at Todd Babington and think, There but for the grace of God go I? I couldn’t i to be ton

Duke took the case froently but firmly There was no weakness to his kindness, just a different kind of strength Whatever was happening between the three of the between a voyeur and unneeded backup, the police equivalent of a third wheel

Leduc started to kneel in the middle of the hallway, but then seeht as well be useful for soer rip on it before hitting the locks

When the case opened without needing to be unlocked, Muriel said, “How could you forget to lock the case, Todd?”

“I’ that had been hit once too often His reaction to her wasn’t love—at least not to me

Duke opened the case carefully and then sighed heavily Neas tall enough to see as in the case, but I wasn’t All I could do was guess as Duke said, “These are worth more than I’ll ht buyer I’ you have a buyer lined up”

“I don’t knohat you’re talking about,” Muriel said “I just thought that it would be wise to remove some of the most valuable pieces fro access to it”

“So, you’re only re the small valuables that could be pocketed by the riffraff?” Duke said, voice tired and a little angry as he looked up at her

I whispered to Newman, “What is it?”

He whispered back, “Porcelain figurines”

“Sorry, Marshal Blake I guess you can’t see,” Leduc said

“Maybe on tiptoes, but I’d hate to overbalance and knock the case”