'Right guy to mug. He was rich.' I described the house on North Whittier.
'Didn't know research paid that well,' he said.
'It doesn't. Ashmore must have had some sort of independent income.
That would explain why the hospital hired him at a time when they're getting rid of doctors and discouraging research grants.
He probably brought some kind of endowment with him.'
'Paid his way in?'
'It happens.'
'Let me ask you this,' he said. 'In terms of your Ashmoregetting-curious theory. Cassie's been in and out of the hospital since she was born. Why would he wait until February to start snooping?'
'Good question,' I said. 'Hold on for a sec.'
I went to the library and fetched the notes I'd taken on Cassie's medical history. Milo had sat down at the table and I joined him, turning pages.
'Here we are,' I said. 'February so. Four days before Herbert pulled Chad's chart. It was Cassie's second hospitalization for stomach problems. The diagnosis was gastric distress of unknown origin, possible sepsis-the main symptom was bloody diarrhea. Which could have made Ashmore think of some specific kind of poisoning.
Maybe his toxicology training overcame his apathy.'
'Not enough for him to talk to Stephanie.'
'True.'
'So maybe he looked and didn't find anything.'
'Then why not return the chart?' I said.
'Sloppy housekeeping. Herbert was supposed to but didn't.
Knew she was leaving and didn't give a damn about her paperwork.'
'When I see her I'll ask her.'
'Yeah. Who knows, maybe she'll give you a ride in her Miata.'
'Zoom zoom,' I said. Anything new on Reginald Bottomley?'
'Not yet. Fordebrand-the Foothill guy-is on vacation, so I've got a call in to the guy who's catching for him. Let's hope he cooperates.'
He put the Coke down. Tension wounded his face and I thought I knew why. He was wondering if the other detective knew who he was. Would bother to return his call.
'Thanks,' I said. 'For everything.'
'De naaa.' He shook the can. Empty. Leaning on the counter with both elbows, he faced me.
'What's the matter?' I said.
'You sound low. Beaten down.'
'Guess I am-all this theorizing and Cassie's no safer.'
'Know what you mean,' he said. 'Best thing's to stay focused, not drift too far afield. It's a risk on cases with bad solve-prospectsGod knows I've had plenty of them. You feel powerless, start throwing wild punches and end up no wiser and a helluva lot older.'
He left shortly after that and I called Cassie's hospital room. It was after nine and direct access to patients had been cut off. I identified myself to the hospital operator and was put through. Vicki answered.
