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The piano notes were soft and slow.
“Satie,” said Alvarez.
“What? Who’s that?”
“Say-tee. That’s the name of the composer. Solo by Ciccolini.”
I was concerned by the increasing force of the rain. A downpour would cleanse the victim’s body of trace evidence, obscure tire tracks, and lessen the chances of anyone finding the body that night.
In the remaining seconds of the video, we stared at a blurry black road. As before, there were no landmarks, no other vehicles or crossroads. The syncopation of the windshield wipers crossing the glass in time with the music was almost hypnotic—and then the show was interrupted by the electronic voice.
“Sergeant Boxer. You have no jurisdiction here, so just call it a gift. You’re welcome. More and better to come.”
The music became louder just before the picture faded to black. Tears came into my eyes. I was wiping them away when Cappy handed me a paper napkin.
“He’s never going to stop,” I said.
No one contradicted me.
CHAPTER 46
IT WAS SATURDAY evening, and I was at my desk, tidying up my submission of Blackout’s criminal profile to ViCAP, the Violent Criminal Apprehension Program unit of the FBI.
I was suddenly aware that I hadn’t yet spoken with Joe and Julie today and that it was getting close to our call time, the heart of my day. So when my cell phone rang, I grabbed it.
“Joe?”
“Linds, it’sme.”
“Cindy? Are you okay? Where are you?”
“At McBain’s. Richie’s with me. Where are you?”
“At my desk.”
Rich got on the line. “Can you come over, Lindsay?”
“Is Cindy all right?”
“She’s fine but she has a lot to say. Dinner, beer, and chocolate mud pie is on me.”
“I need ten minutes.”
I called Joe to tell him I was running late, made a similar call to Mrs. Rose, and five minutes later, I was wading throughthe boozy crowd at McBain’s Bar and Grill. I was shown to a table at the back of the restaurant. Cindy and Conklin stood up. Cindy reached out her arms and Rich pulled out a chair for me between them.
“Tell me everything,” I said, hugging Cindy.
“Beer?” Richie asked.
“Bring it on,” I said. “I have to order at the same time.”
We ordered the specials and gave Cindy the floor.
I leaned in to hear her say, “Before flying to Vegas, I stopped off at my office to check my mail, grab a couple of things. As I was walking out the door, I found this in my inbox.”
Cindy held out an opened white envelope with her name printed on the front.
“Read it,” she said, handing it to me.
