Bones

rich.” Turning to Wallenburg. “You told me to come back, I disobeyed.”

“Travis, it’s not a matter of dis-”

Milo got up, walked to the front of the desk, focused on Huck.

“That the whole story, pal?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Some yarn.”

“Put me back in a cage, sir. I deserve what you want to give me.”

“That so?”

Wallenburg shot to her feet, thrust her arm between Huck and Milo. “That was not an admission of guilt.”

Milo said, “Selena, the hookers, one big setup just to frame you. Convenient.”

“For God’s sake, can’t you see it?” said Wallenburg. “Superficially, he’s the perfect scapegoat.”

“Superficially?”

“Look at his core: a man who was railroaded but harbors no anger. Who’s led a totally nonviolent life-who saved a baby, for God’s sake.”

“I didn’t save her, Debora. I just lifted her from the sidewalk and-”

“Shut up, Travis! You’ve seen how Brandeen looks at you. If you hadn’t found her, that bastard might’ve come back and beat her to death the way he beat her mother to death.”

“Debora-”

“Don’t Debora me, Travis. It’s about time you got smart and started looking after yourself. You were stupid to run, stupid not to return when I told you to. Now you’re being a total blithering idiot.”

“I-”

“Life sucks, fine, we all get that, Travis. But you are not to blame for this particular disaster and if you stick to the facts, the police will believe you.”

Looking at Milo.

He remained silent.

Huck said, “I let it all happen, Debora-”

“You were their gofer, Travis. You are not a cosmic watchdog. If you’d said anything negative about Simone, you’d have lost your job and she would’ve remained free to charm her father and go about her plan.”

“What plan are we talking about?” said Reed.

“A hundred-and-thirty-three-million-dollar plan,” said Wallenburg. “That girl would never have been deterred. Never.”

Milo said, “Pretty precise figure.”

Wallenburg’s smile was icy.

Milo said, “If that’s the case, we’re talking about a real long-term plan. Killing prostitutes over a fifteen-month period, dumping them in sequence, just to set up the Vanders as a thrill kill?”

“We’re talking about a hundred thirty-three million worth of incentive, Lieutenant. Selena’s murder got you focused on the Vanders, which led you to Travis. The three women made all of it look psychopathic. That conniving little bitch spoon-fed you Travis. Given his history, she knew you’d put on your blinders.”

“Garsh,” said Milo. “Can someone tell me the way to Keystone?”

“A hundred and thirty-three million, Lieutenant. A year’s worth of planning doesn’t seem too much for that pot of gold.”

“Be a great movie.”

“Oscar for documentary, Lieutenant.”

“We’re supposed to buy it because of Mr. Huck’s feelings. In here.” Massaging the swell of his belly.

“You’re supposed to buy it because it’s true and it makes sense and you haven’t a shred of evidence tying Travis to a single act of violence.”

Milo flashed his happy-wolf grin. Bent over the desk and put his face inches from Huck’s.

Huck licked his lips.

Wallenburg said, “There’s no need for physical intimida-”

“Travis, I like your stories. Now tell me another one.”

“About what, sir?”

“The blood we found in the drain of your bedroom sink.”

Huck’s Adam’s apple rose and fell. “I… maybe I cut my hands… I go off balance. Headaches, maybe I got a cut and washed it.”

“Got any scabs?”

Inspecting Huck’s hands. “Nope, clean.”

Huck said, “Put me in a cage, I don’t care.”

“What’s your blood type, son?”

“O positive.”

“AB’s what we found in your drain.”

Huck turned white.

Milo placed his paw atop Huck’s left hand. Huck’s fingers clasped Milo’s, like a child wanting security.

“Tell us about AB, son.”

“Simon,” said Huck. “It’s rare. He always gets asked to donate.”

“Looks like he donated some to your drain. Tell me another story, son.”

Wallenburg said, “Someone who’d slaughter people in a calculated manner would have no problem planting blood in a damn drain. Simone had access to that house-I’ll bet Weir did, too-of course he did, given his relationship with Simone, all she had to do was give him a damn key and-”

Still gripping Milo’s hand, Huck held out his free arm. “Put me in a cage.”

“Don’t say another word, Travis!”

Milo said, “Counselor, looks like we’ve come to a sort of consensus. Get up please, son. We’re going to read you your rights and take you into custody.”

“I agree,” said Huck.

Wallenburg shot to her feet, clamped her hands on Huck’s shoulders. “On what charges?”

“We’ll start with a whole bunch of 187s, go on from there.”

Her turn to tremble. “You’re making a disastrous mistake.”

Reed said, “You’re really committed to this guy. What am I not seeing?”

Wallenburg’s mouth formed a curse. “Lieutenant, our explicit agreement was-”

“That we’d listen,” said Milo. “We did, now we’re arresting him.”

Wallenburg’s mouth worked. “Oh, this is great, so predictable-I promise you it’ll be futile, Lieutenant. And you’d better make damn sure he’s not abused. The moment you walk out that door, I’ll be drafting motions.”

“I wouldn’t expect anything less, ma’am. Please get up, son.”

Huck complied.

“Please step around to this side of the desk.” Out came the cuffs.

Wallenburg said, “Are you booking him at West L.A. or Downtown?”

“We’ll hold him at West L.A. until appropriate transportation can be arranged.”

“Everything according to procedure,” said Wallenburg. “Talk about average Germans-you damn well better put him on suicide watch.”

“I’m already dead,” said Huck.

Wallenburg raised a hand, as if to slap him. Stared at her quivering fingers and let her arm flop.

“Thank you for everything, Debora,” said Huck.

“You,” she spat, “are a first-class pain in the ass.”

Riding the elevator down to the sub-lot, Huck said, “You really had no choice.”

Reed said, “Why’s she so devoted to you?”

Huck blinked. “Once she told me about volunteer work she does. At animal shelters. She can’t have