been hacking away at confidentiality, I'm one of those old-fashioned fellows who takes our vows seriously.”
“Is there anything you can tell me that might help her?” I said.
“Anything,” he repeated, drawing out the word. “Hmm… let me think on that- do you ever get downtown? I could give you a few moments. Because I'd rather not discuss these things on the phone. A police case and all that, the current climate. One never knows where the media lurks.”
“Do you see lots of police cases?”
“Enough to be cautious. Of course, if it's too much of a problem to drive all the way-”
“No problem,” I said. “When?”
“Let me check my calendar- I do want to emphasize that I can't promise anything until I go over the file. And I'd prefer not to speak to the sister directly. Please tell her we talked.”
“Sure. Have you had problems with these types of cases?”
“Not… as a rule. Ounce of prevention and all that- there's something you might want to consider, Doctor. As the sister's therapist. The search for understanding is normal, but the value of digging things up varies from case to case.”
“You don't think this case merits it?”
“What I'm… let's just say Officer Dahl was… an interesting fellow. Anyway, I'll leave it at that, for the moment. I'll be in touch.”
Warning me?
Some dark secret that Helena was better off not knowing?
I thought of what I'd learned about Nolan.
Mood swings, sensation seeking, sudden shifts to political extremes.
Had he stepped over the line- in the course of police work? Something best left unexplored?
Something political- on the fringe?
Videotaped beatings of suspects, cops sitting around as rioters torched the city, bungling of evidence in major cases, case after case of felonious cops caught in the act. LAPD was as popular as an abortionist at the Vatican.
Had Lehmann been involved in other cop cases that had left him gun-shy?
Whatever the reason, he was definitely trying to steer me away from a psychological autopsy of Nolan.
The department hadn't argued when Helena had chosen to skip the full-dress funeral.
Eager to move things along?
Nolan, bright, different because he read books.
Alienated.
The switch from West L.A. to Hollywood.
Because he liked action?
Illegal action?
Had he gotten himself into something that left suicide the only option?
As I thought about it, Helena phoned, sounding breathless.
“Rushed?” I said.
“Busy. We just had a patient infarct in the middle of an angio. Big artery the cardiologist hadn't known about, he's Roto-Rootering one and the other jams up. But he's okay, the patient, things have quieted down. The reason I called is, right after our session I went over to Nolan's apartment, all motivated to go through his stuff, maybe find something.” She paused and I could hear her inhale and blow it out. “I went to the garage first and it was fine but someone broke into the place, Dr. Delaware. It was a wreck. They took his stereo and his TV, his microwave, all his flatware, a couple of lamps, pictures off the walls. Probably some clothes, too. Someone must have come with a truck and loaded up.”
“Oh, boy,” I said. “I'm sorry.”
“Lowlifes.” Her voice shook. “Scumbags.”
“No one saw anything?”
“They probably did it at night. It's a duplex, just Nolan and the landlord and she's a dentist, out of town at a convention. I called the police and they said it would take at least an hour to get there. I had to be at work by three, so I gave my number and left. What can they do, anyway? Write a report and file it? The damage is already done. Even if the bastards come back, there's nothing to take except… Nolan's car- God, why didn't I
“Would you like me to go with you?”
“You'd do that?”
“Sure.”
“That's so nice, but no, I couldn't.”
“It's okay, Helena. I don't mind.”
“I just- you're serious?”
“Where's the apartment?”
“Mid-Wilshire. Sycamore near Beverly. I can't leave right now, too many iffy patients. Maybe midshift, if we're staffed enough. If they take the damn car before then, fine.”
“Tonight, then.”
“I can't impose on you to come out late, Dr. Delaware-”
“It's no problem, Helena. I'm a night person.”
“I'm not sure exactly when I'll be free.”
“Call me when you are. If I'm free, I'll meet you there. If not, you're on your own. Okay?”
She laughed softly. “Okay. Thanks so much. I really didn't want to go alone.”
“Have a minute?” I said.
“Unless someone else starts dying.”
“I spoke with Dr. Lehmann.”
“What'd he say?”
“As we expected, nothing, because of confidentiality. But he did agree to reread Nolan's file and if he comes up with something he feels comfortable discussing, he'll meet with me.”
Silence.
“That is, if you want me to, Helena.”
“Sure,” she said. “Sure, that's fine. I started, might as well finish.”
13
Milo chomped a dead cigarillo and carried the consulate crank letters in an oversized, unlabeled white envelope.
“A year's worth,” he said, remaining out on the terrace.
“What do they do with the old ones?”
“Don't know. This is what Carmeli gave me. Or rather, his secretary. Still haven't gotten past the hall, yet. Thanks, Alex. Back to the phones.”
