Traffic in the city was one giant snarl. By the time I reached Hickam it was almost eight.
No problem. Danny entered the JPAC lot two cars ahead of me. He waited as I parked and climbed from my Cobalt.
“Aloha.”
“Aloha.”
“Primo wheels,” he needled.
“Very funny.”
“You could call Avis, try to upgrade.”
“It’s not worth the effort. I’ve got a case back in North Carolina, so I’ll probably head out in a day or two.”
“You just arrived.”
“I’ve been here ten days.”
“What about the case you’re working with Perry?”
“Cases.”
While we walked, I told him about the second shark vic, the traction pinhole, and the partial ankle tattoo.
“Perry should get a hit on one or the other,” Danny said.
“I think so. And with no more remains, there’s nothing else I can do.”
“Your work here is done.”
“My work here is done. After we look at Luis Alvarez’s photos.”
I noticed Danny was sprouting one of those jawline crawlers so inexplicably popular with the male demographic.
“Growing a beard?” I asked.
“Giving it a shot.” His chin hitched up and twisted from side to side. “What do you think?”
“A man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do.”
The chin dropped.
We were in the corridor leading to the CIL wing when Gus Dimitriadus appeared in the lobby on the far side of the glass, arms hugging a cardboard box to his chest. A potted palm projected from one side, a trophy of some sort from the other.
Dimitriadus was frowning. Shocker.
Danny opened and held the door wide.
Dimitriadus’s head came up. His frown morphed to a full-blown scowl.
“Need help?” Danny offered.
“You’ve done enough.”
“Look, this doesn’t have to be pers—”
“Really? Doesn’t it?”
What a prick, I thought, and immediately felt bad. After all, the guy had just gotten canned from what he’d undoubtedly thought was a career job.
“If you have more boxes, we’d be happy to—”
“I’ll bet you would.” Dimitriadus cut me off.
I looked into his eyes.
And saw pure hatred directed my way.
Wordlessly, Danny and I stepped aside.
As he moved through the door, Dimitriadus put out one elbow and jabbed my chest. Hard.
Taken off guard, I stumbled backward.
“Jackass,” Danny said to Dimitriadus’s retreating back. To me, “You OK?”
“I’m fine.”
“The jerk did that on purpose.”
“He’s venting,” I said. “I’m an easy target.”
“That’s no excuse.”
“The man just lost his job.”
“He’ll lose his nuts if he tries another move like that.”
Sir Danny, Avenger of Damsels Bashed in the Boobs.
While Danny went for coffee, I settled in his office with the Alvarez file.
