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“But which one?” Emerson asked.
Maxine paused and adjusted a wisp of hair. “I don’t know,” she said. “And I don’t care. I’ve done what he asked me to do. I can let it rest.”
Emerson leaned in closer to Maxine. “Did you know that the CIA has identified six primary physical signs of deception, including behavioral delay and grooming gestures? It’s true. I read it in a book.”
A hint of a smile crossed Maxine’s face. “Günter might have also mentioned the one I swapped out would be really, really bad for Werner’s reputation.”
Emerson nodded and turned to Riley. “Three things cannot be long hidden. The sun, the moon, and the truth.”
“Did you read that in a book too?” Riley asked.
“It’s attributed to Buddha.” Emerson paused. “Or maybe I heard it on an episode of MTV’s Real World.”
“Do you mind if I take these gold bars?” Emerson asked Maxine.
“Why?”
“I want to saw them in half and see what’s inside.”
Maxine snatched her gold bar from the coffee table. “No! Did Werner put you up to this? Tell him I’m hanging on to this until further notice!”
“I don’t intend to tell Werner anything about this until my investigation is complete.”
“Well, I’m not giving up my gold bar,” Maxine said. “What’s really, really bad for Werner could be really, really good for me.”
“Possibly,” Emerson said, taking the bar that was left on the table. “It’s been a pleasure.”
“You should put it back,” Maxine said. “It belongs in the safe.”
“I’ll take it under consideration,” Emerson said.
Riley followed Emerson down the sidewalk to where the Mustang was parked.
“She’s upset,” Riley said.
“Indeed she is.”
“Well, so much for that question-and-answer session,” Riley said. “I’m voting for lunch next. There’s a Five Guys on Irving Street. I could really use a bacon cheeseburger with Cajun fries. You ever try that?”
“No. And we’re not going to lunch yet.”
“Why not?”
“We’re waiting to see what Maxine Trowbridge does.”
“Can’t we find out after lunch?”
“Rise above the hunger. I once went ten days without eating a thing.”
“Good for you. Me, I’m hypoglycemic. If I don’t eat every three hours I get irritable. You wouldn’t like me when I’m irritable.”
“I like you fine.”
“I’m not irritable yet.”
“You’re not?” Emerson said with surprise.
“Very funny.”
