pupils of her eyes seemed big.
'You okay?' I said.
She shook her head. More cops arrived. Uniforms and lab guys and detectives. I recognized DeSpain.
'I know you,' he said.
'Spenser,' I said.
'How are you, DeSpain.'
'You used to work out of the Middlesex DA's office.'
'Long time ago,' I said.
'I'm private now.'
DeSpain nodded.
'You did some work up here five, six years ago,' DeSpain said.
He looked at the doctor.
'Who's this,' he said.
'Steve Franklin,' the doctor said.
'I was in the audience I'm an MD.'
DeSpain nodded. He was a big blond guy with bright blue eyes that seemed to have no depth at all.
'DeSpain,' he said.
'I'm Chief of Police here. He going to make it?'
'I don't think so,' the doctor said.
DeSpain looked back at me.
'So,' DeSpain said.
'Tell me about it.'
'Shot once,' I said.
'From the back of the theater. I didn't see the shooter. Probably a.22 from the sound and the entry hole, maybe a target gun. It was a hell of a shot. Right through the heart.'
'The killer may know something of anatomy,' the doctor said.
'Most people don't know exactly where the heart is.'
'A good shot that knows anatomy,' DeSpain said as if to himself.
'Hell, we've got the bastard cornered.'
We got out of there very late in the evening, and drove Christopholous home. He lived on the first floor of a two-family house next to a Chinese market, across the street from a fish-processing plant.
'Can you help us on this?' Christopholous said when I parked out front.
'The murder?'
'Yes.'
'I can't catch your shadow at the same time,' I said.
'Do you think they're related?'
'I hate coincidences,' I said.
'I… think the murder takes precedence,' Christopholous said.
'Would you like to know my rates?'
'I thought… we don't have any money… I was hoping, as a friend of the theater…?'
I looked at Susan.
'My usual fee?' I said.
'I'll double it,' she said.
'Okay,' I said to Christopholous.
'I'll watch you to your doorway. When you're inside, lock it. If someone wants in, be sure you know who you're opening it for.'
'You think I'm in danger?'
'There's some around,' I said.
'What time do you leave your house in the morning?'
'Nine o'clock, usually. I stop off and have coffee, and get to the theater around ten.'
'Someone will pick you up,' I said, 'and keep an eye on you and see if the shadow's around. Probably be a black man about my size but not as good-looking.'
