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?“Don’t go far, either of you,” DeStadler ordered. His eyes were going over the papers Louie gave him.
?Once again, we walked out of the police precinct and I took off the high heel shoes and put on a pair of flats from a bag that Tina, who had been waiting for us, was holding.
?“Thank God that’s over,” I sassed.
?“But why did you tell them—” Mark began.
?“Ah, ah!” Louie stopped him. “If you are going to discuss anything that might conflict with your statement, I should be out of earshot!”
?“Sorry,” Mark stressed.
?“Uncle Louie,” I asked, “will you be able to check on those other things for me?”
?“Already got a girl working on it,” Louie reported.
?“A girl?” Tina complained. “Don’t you mean Tina, the woman to whom you already owe a favor?”
?Louie gave a smile. “Ain’t she something? I’ll call you when I get an answer, but hey! It is Sunday, cah-peesh?”
?“Do your best,” I implored.
?With a wave, he turned and headed off in the opposite direction with Tina close behind.
?I turned and walked east as Mark caught up to me.
?“Why did you say we slept together?” Mark insisted.
?“Well, it wasn’t a total lie.”
?He gently took my arm and stopped us. “Yes, it was. If we did, I am sure I would remember.”
?She smiled at that. “I am sure you would. Quite honestly, if Jon hadn’t shown up, it would have been a fait accompli.”
?He looked me over. “Really?”
?“Yes, really,” I said, and took his face in both hands and kissed him hard.
?Then I pulled back and immediately began to walk again. “But now I am perturbed—”
?Mark took a moment to catch up and catch on. “Perturbed?”
?“Yes, we let ourselves be the mouse in this cat-and-mouse game for the last time. I am ready to solve these murders.”
?“Just like that?”
?“Before the conference ends tonight,” I announced, and held up my index finger toward the sky for emphasis.
?Mark glanced at his watch. “That is only, like, five hours.”
?I raised an eyebrow. “Then, Watkins, we shall have to work quickly.”
31. Binding
Mark Watkins
?We walked into the hotel and up the escalator to the second floor. The place was mobbed with crowds of people in costume. They milled about, all of them talking, which created a dull roar of subdued voices. There was even a waiting line to get into the Marketplace. I was sure the merchants were doing a brisk business.
?I talked loud to be heard over the din. “The murders didn’t scare anyone away.”
