“Angry pimp?”
“Psycho stranger? The possibilities are endless. That’s why the world needs detectives.”
“I did some detecting this morning.”
I waited.
“The Eduardos are the proud owners of two boxers and a cat. Lucy Gerardi’s family has a cat and a schnauzer. The De la Aldas are not animal lovers. Nor are the ambassador and his clan.”
“Patricia Eduardo’s boyfriend?”
“A ferret named Julio.”
“Claudia de la Alda’s?”
“Allergies.”
“When will your trace guys be done viewing the samples?”
“Monday.”
“What did the DA have to say?”
I heard Galiano draw a long breath through his nostrils.
“His office will not be releasing the skeleton.”
“Can we have access at the morgue?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“The guy really wanted to be my best friend, was devastated he couldn’t discuss the case.”
“Is this typical?”
“I’ve never been stonewalled by a DA, but I’ve never tangled with this one.”
I pointed my thoughts at that for a while.
“What do you think is going on?”
“Either the guy’s got a hard-on for protocol, or someone’s putting the screws to him.”
“Who?”
Galiano didn’t answer.
“The embassy?” I asked.
“What are you doing?” There was a dark guardedness to his voice.
“Now?”
“For the junior prom.”
I could see why Ryan and Galiano had hit it off.
I looked at my watch. Five-forty. A Saturday evening calm had settled over the lab.
“It’s too late to start anything here. I’ll head back to my hotel.”
“I’ll pick you up in an hour.”
“For?”
I started to object, pictured the gathering of one I’d attend in my room.
What the hell.
“My dress is blue.”
“O.K.” Puzzled.
“I prefer a wrist corsage.”
“Donated by a citizen with a horticultural bent.” Galiano proffered two pansies stapled to a blue rubber band.
“Donated?”
“The band is sold separately.”
“Broccoli?”
“Asparagus.”
“They’re lovely.”
Cars honked and jockeyed as we walked toward the Cafe Gucumatz. An early evening shower had come and gone, and the air smelled of wet cement, diesel fuel, earth, and flowers. Now and then the soggy maize scent of
We shared the sidewalk with throngs of others. Couples heading out for dinner or drinks. Young professionals returning home from work. Shoppers. Saturday-evening strollers. A breeze tossed ties over shoulders and molded
