Robin answered. 'Hi, Milo.'
He said something that made her laugh. She said, Absolutely' handed me the receiver, and returned to her crossword puzzle.
'Nice to hear her voice again,' he said. 'Finally, you show some good judgment.' The connection was clear, but it sounded distant.
'Where are you?'
Alley behind a leather-goods store, little pilfering surveillance, nothing so far. Am I interrupting something?'
'Domestic bliss,' I said, stroking Robin's arm. She was concentrating hard on the puzzle, pencil in mouth, but her hand rose to meet mine and we laced fingers.
'Lat's hear it for any kind of bliss,' said Milo. 'Got a couple of things for you. First, your Mr. Huenengarth has an interesting pattern. Valid driver's license and social security number, but the address on the license traces to a mail drop in Tarzana, and he's got no phone number, credit history, or IRS file. No county records either.
No record of him in the military or on the voter roster. Similar pattern to a long-term con just out of the joint someone who hasn't voted or paid taxes. Though he doesn't show up on NCIC or the parole rolls either, so maybe it's a computer glitch or I screwed up technically. I'll have Charlie try tomorrow.'
'Phantom of the hospital,' I said. 'I feel so much better knowing he's head of Security.' Robin looked up briefly, then down again.
'Yeah,' said Milo. 'You'd be surprised how many strange types get into security nutcases who try out for police departments, don't pass the psych evaluation. Meantime, keep your distance from him until I can find out more. Second thing is, I've been nosing around the Herbert file and plan to do a little late-night downtown prowltalk to that bartender witness.'
'Does he have something new to offer?'
'No, but Gomez and his partner didn't follow through enough for my taste. The guy has a serious dope record and they figured him for an unreliable witness. So they let him off easy, not enough questions. I got hold of his number, spoke to his girlfriend, and found out he got a job at another club nearby, over in Newton Division.
Thought I'd go over and talk to him. Thought you might be interested in a tag-along. But you've obviously got better things to do.'
Robin looked up. I realized my fingers had tightened around hers and eased my grip.
'When are you going?' I said.
'Hour or so. Figured I'd make it over there after midnight, when the scene just starts. I want to catch him in his element, but before it gets too intense. Anyway, enjoy your bliss.'
'Wait. I've got a few things for you. Got time?'
'Sure. Nothing here in this alley but us cats. What's up?'
'I got buttonholed by Grandpa Chuck today, just as I left the hospital.
He gave me a one-big-happy-family speech-defending the clan's honor, just like we discussed. Topped it off by offering me a job.
The implication I got was I should behave myself, not dig too deeply.'
'Not very subtle.'
Actually, he managed to do it quite subtly. Even if it had been taped, he could never have been pinned down. Not that the offer was worth much, because a job at Western Peds isn't likely to have much security.'
I recounted Plumb's newspaper interview, and the financialscheme hypotheses that had led me to look further into Laurence Ashmore's research. By the time I got to the Ferris Dixon Institute, Robin had put her puzzle down and was listening intently.
'Virginia,' said Milo. 'Been there a couple of times for fed training seminars. Pretty state, but anything down there always spells
government to me.'
