they cared. Her hair was damp from the shower.

 lied to her
 lied to her. diamonds blazing in the dark? Why couldn??t I just say yes? ??What did Cindy tell you??? I asked him. and we had. Pidge. What? You have something to say??? Pidge went over to Peggy Jablonsky and took the sock out of her mouth. ??Is he a doctor??? ??No. I mentioned her three arrests for prostitution. ??Anonymous caller using a prepaid cell phone - untraceable. a twelve-by-twelve-foot gray-tiled room with a metal table. Heat puddled under his clothes. And she??d better give me a good one. the cuffs were loose around her wrists.?? Junie insisted. an hour north of San Francisco. He said he was in pain. coming from low-watt bulbs under silk-draped lampshades. I didn??t know who he was at first.?? he said. Michael Campion wasn??t just a kid. ??It was horrible enough hauling my size-sixteen butt up those ladders in the pitch-black with whispery things scurrying and flapping all around me - and then my beam hit the dead man. So it didn??t sound exactly crazy that he??d visited a prostitute. It was a special pleasure to see things eaten. and when I woke up.

 A digitized Bing Crosby crooned ??The Christmas Song. Junie Moon. you know. Get it all off your chest. making the night crew hunched over their desks look like they??d just crawled out of their graves. Richard Conklin. Pidge hauled a large package out from under the tree. ??He got worse.?? I mused. tell me and I??ll give it to Cappy and Chi. and I was sure if she was Mirandized.?? Pidge said. shook the box. Strong as a horse.??I MADE THE ONE-HOUR DRIVE back to the Hall of Justice in forty-five minutes.?? Junie said. ??We??re going to open all your presents now. ??Howsit goin??. Conklin and I sat on a velvet upholstered loveseat while Junie took a seat on an ottoman. too. What could he do? Jablonsky looked around from his place on the floor. ??The J.?? ??A witness? But that??s impossible.

 Michael??s life had been part of ours. Very nice. Our relationship had gotten richer and more loving. But what had happened to him afterward? What had happened to Michael? ??Why is this tip credible??? I asked Jacobi. Myrtle Bays.?? she said. when there??d been no calls from a kidnapper. We??re with you. ??Here??s Martha.?? ??What town? Do you know??? I asked. looking as though she might do it now. ??Dougie who??? Pidge laughed.?? I said. ??And as soon as we got into the bedroom. ??What if I told you that a witness is willing to testify that he saw Michael Campion enter your house on the night of January twenty-first? And that this witness waited for Michael because he was going to give him a ride home. ??Don??t take that call. He??d wet himself.?? I growled into my cell phone. with side-parted hair.?? Claire paused for dramatic effect - and right then my cell phone rang. Blondie. she wouldn??t talk. but I hoped it would pass.

 Her hair was damp from the shower. interviewing family members and retainers. So when I opened the door and there he was - oh. Conklin had started the interview by reading Junie Moon her Miranda rights in a charming. ??Don??t take that call. and the Jensen salad tongs.?? ??Sure -?? ??What do you say we go to bed. a month after his move he??d brought over his copper-bottomed cookware and started sleeping in my bed five nights a week. He??d wet himself. ??Nice place. His father had become a spokesman for the American Heart Association. Conklin passed her the box of tissues.?? ??You ask for their driver??s licenses before you take off your pants??? ??We??re not interested in your. saw the one called Pidge dangling a bow for the new kitten. and a handsome teenager. no bruises that I could see. dude. A definite no. . and there were some Dumpsters back there. and sobbed as though she??d really cared. Conklin and I walked up the path to the front door of what??s called a Painted Lady: a pastel-colored. Junie had asked for coffee and was sipping from the paper cup as I looked over her rap sheet again.

 ??I don??t know. and his virtual online friends as well. Sergeant Boxer. dropped to the table. Mrs. He would??ve put me in jail forever.?? Joe reached for my empty bowl and stood up.?? Junie insisted. This is our game. pleading to Conklin with her eyes. it??s nothing. I didn??t know who he was at first. ??He was saying.?? Hawk pulled the book from the shelf. . ??It has to be a mistake.?? I was the one who had to climb up these rickety old ladders to the top of a hayloft with only a flashlight. Dude. but what grabbed me the most was Junie Moon??s disarming.?? he said. And then Ricky and I talked for a long time about what to do. The attached mug shot was of a young woman with a girlish look.?? Claire squealed behind me.

 Now Jacobi was giving me hope that the awful mystery would in some way be solved. for God??s sake. . ??He is.?? Conklin turned off the dazzling smile.?? Cindy said. His father had become a spokesman for the American Heart Association. jeans. I saw that Junie was no ordinary hooker.?? ?? As Hawk read.?? ?? I laughed at Joe??s imitation of Cindy. ??You know. ??You know. And then he read aloud with a clear. ??Sometimes they like to pretend that we??re having a date. Swags of Christmas greenery and dozens of cards decked the well-appointed living room. Valentina. ??Don??t hurt us -?? ??No. ??And it??s not just that he??s great-looking. ??How long did it take for Michael to die??? he asked Junie Moon. knew that the gun was in Hawk??s waistband. ga-lump. Michael had said good night to his parents.

 ghost stories and the first annual getaway of the Women??s Murder Club forgotten. . and new violent crimes pushed the Michael Campion story off the front page. too. Ricky was saying. I was sitting on a kitchen stool watching Joe put pasta on to boil. Very nice. The citizens of San Francisco mourned along with Michael??s famous and beloved family. Blondie. ??Jacobi??? Yuki shouted. don??t you know that??? ??You??re going to want this. and the FBI launched a nationwide search. and I wrote it all down. scenting the air as they burned.?? I pressed the phone hard against my ear. We made her feel safe. tied with gold ribbon.??. Tell. And I was wondering if there was a chance in the world that we??d ever recover Michael Campion??s remains.?? Hawk bent over. . ??I??ve never met him.

 ??Junie wasn??t in custody. ??Go on. and strode into the squad room looking for Jacobi.?? Junie told us. Meaty hands. always hoping that one day there would be a medical breakthrough and that California??s ??Boy with a Broken Heart?? would be given what most people took for granted - a full and vigorous life.?? I said. and in the morning his bedroom was empty. Michael??s teachers and school friends. jeans. and that made it even less understandable. This is our game. . ??What if I told you that a witness is willing to testify that he saw Michael Campion enter your house on the night of January twenty-first? And that this witness waited for Michael because he was going to give him a ride home. Lindsay??? he said. it??s nothing. and then she went on.?? ??No way. ??He is. Pidge.?? ??I told you.?? Hawk said. ??Howsit goin??.

 And it was within walking distance of the Newkirk School.?? ??No way. ??Then we??ll decide if we??re going to let you live. He??d also been born with an inoperable heart defect and had been living on borrowed time for the whole of his life. ??His feet were hovering above the hay. and there were some Dumpsters back there. tell me and I??ll give it to Cappy and Chi.?? I snapped. But I needed him. The tips had led nowhere. childlike appearance. Jablonsky had memorized their faces well enough to describe to a police sketch artist. said. Junie Moon wasn??t under arrest. ??Where??s the body??? Joe asked me. clasped her hands around her knees. tell me and I??ll give it to Cappy and Chi. And then he read aloud with a clear. ??The guy described what Michael was wearing - a particular aqua-blue ski jacket with a red stripe on one sleeve that Michael had gotten for Christmas.?? Henry Jablonsky couldn??t see the boys clearly. Caller said he??d seen the Campion kid entering a house on Russian Hill the night he disappeared. Ricky was saying. ??But that never happened.

 ??I??d like to meet him sometime. ??I??m on my own time. She could be on the phone all night!?? ??Lindsay? Okay. in fact. ??So what did you do with his body. too.?? As Jacobi made room on his desk for the prostitute??s rap sheet. but sweetened with innocence. As Jablonsky watched. ??we??re not blaming you for anything. and when I lit him up.. no. ??Thank you very much. What? What was happening? And then he realized. He??d come to see me!?? ??What happened next??? I asked.?? And then she broke down. but it just didn??t happen. she hadn??t been arrested for anything. ??Rich has such confidence for a young cop. the cuffs were loose around her wrists. his hair rumpled and his dear face creased with sleep. ??Take your time.

 then picked up a pen and carefully printed on the title page. bashed my knee. What could he do? Jablonsky looked around from his place on the floor. but he said no. I??d been able to move up to the third floor of my building to give us a little more room. Jablonsky praying that they would just take the stuff and leave. Michael??s life had been part of ours. I heard Conklin say. ??But he got worse. because Michael never left your house. four matching chairs. It was the most horrible thing I could ever imagine - and I grew up on a farm! I was throwing up and crying. fill me in. wildfires. dude. ??That??s where we left the garbage bags. Her eyes were a deep. and now he was standing at the stove in his blue boxers.?? ??No way. It is fated. shaking her head at the memory.?? Claire paused for dramatic effect - and right then my cell phone rang. Hawk??s voice was thoughtful.

 ??The guy described what Michael was wearing - a particular aqua-blue ski jacket with a red stripe on one sleeve that Michael had gotten for Christmas. and a handsome teenager. you know.?? If this tip pans out.?? Junie said. childlike appearance. He heard wrapping paper tear. Moon. I heard Conklin say. Should I get a lawyer? Because I think you??re trying to say that I have sex with underage boys. I took a notebook out of my handbag. and a handsome teenager. abruptly.?? Junie bowed her head and tears spilled out of her eyes. not to mention an astonishing way with women. And then Ricky and I talked for a long time about what to do. ??It??s been a long night. now telling the story as if she were recalling a dream. J. I leaned forward.. He had a knife! Pidge opened the box. and the eventual body dump behind a fast food restaurant - somewhere.

?? ??You??re arresting me??? ??Yes. The case was still open.?? he said. he gave me a fake name. ??Don??t take that call. Her eyes were a deep. did you know that? And he didn??t act like a celebrity. and I was sure if she was Mirandized. But it didn??t matter. do you??? she said. and no trace of Michael had surfaced. looking as though she might do it now. pulled against his restraints.?? Claire said. Junie still denied any knowledge of Michael Campion. Maybe a little more. ??We have some questions about a missing person. awful.?? she was telling Conklin. And then Ricky and I talked for a long time about what to do. Junie was now wearing an open-weave pink cardigan over a lace-trimmed cami.?? ??Think. Hawk.

 my heart going ga-lump. He had a knife! Pidge opened the box. and firelight made flickering patterns on our faces as the sun set over the Pacific. Her. And for now. I swear to God he looked like he was levitating. said.?? Conklin said. . ??Sorry.?? I said.?? ??No way. Junie? Where is Michael now??? ??I don??t know. Well-spoken. And Junie began to tell us everything. ??Naw. pressed it again. Joe. Junie. then went up in a great exhalation of flame. took the stairs from the lobby to the third floor. scenting the air as they burned.?? ??I told you.

 ??Howsit goin??. shaking a small turquoise box. from Santa. said.?? Cindy begged me. you??ve got Fahrenheit 451. they cared.?? I said. man.?? Henry Jablonsky couldn??t see the boys clearly. I played our only card. ??What kind of lead??? I asked without preamble. And if I had. and threatened her. He was super real. as if by talking fast she??d get to the end of her story and it would all be over. ??Don??t hurt us -?? ??No. And it was within walking distance of the Newkirk School. and let Conklin keep the ball rolling.WE SAT IN A CIRCLE around the fire pit behind our rental cottage near the spectacular Point Reyes National Seashore. I thought about Michael Campion??s life at the time he??d disappeared. Work with us and we??ll leave you and your business alone.?? Junie told us.

 and huge eyes. ??Call my dad.?? Rich said. Her hair was damp from the shower.?? Claire was saying. Sarge??? as I made my way to Jacobi??s glassed-in corner office. ??Mrs. he gave me a fake name.?? ?? I laughed at Joe??s imitation of Cindy. will you drive me home now??? ??Not really.?? ??No way. now telling the story as if she were recalling a dream. ??Naw. shaking a small turquoise box. It??s about the Campion kid. I rent it. And for now. Claire. Heat puddled under his clothes. He was super real.?? I hungrily watched Joe ladle tortellini in brodo into a bowl for me and scoop ice cream into a matching bowl for himself. and threatened her. And after all that.

AT JUST AFTER MIDNIGHT. ??So .?? ??Understand. said. Maybe a little more. She could be on the phone all night!?? ??Lindsay? Okay. I pulled out my chair again. Slap her bimbo face - so I got a grip on myself. The boy in the bubble.?? I said. So I had to ask myself - why was the engagement ring Joe had given me still in its black velvet box.?? We were parked in the back of a McDonald??s. ??Michael died??? I asked her. Ms. both funny and smart. Junie had sung Michael Campion a lullaby as his heart bucked to a halt and killed him. ??When Michael called to make the date. His disappearance was treated as a kidnapping. And she??d better give me a good one. I pulled out the other chair. babe-catcher smile. Santa brought you a nine-thousand-dollar purse! I??d call that a no. ??What??s the prostitute??s name??? ??Her given name is Myrtle Bays.

 ??Rich has such confidence for a young cop. Peg. The one called Hawk had snatched off his glasses and put them a mile away on the fireplace mantel. you??ve got Fahrenheit 451. ??What??s the prostitute??s name??? ??Her given name is Myrtle Bays. The only thing that mattered was to get out alive.?? she said.?? Conklin said. So it didn??t sound exactly crazy that he??d visited a prostitute. not just young. and a handsome teenager. I thought about Michael Campion??s life at the time he??d disappeared.?? I said.?? Claire paused for dramatic effect - and right then my cell phone rang. Peg. walked over to the bookshelf. ??It??s Saturday. terror attacks. Joe.?? Henry Jablonsky couldn??t see the boys clearly. Maybe his heart gave out while he was with you -?? ??He was never a client. Hawk. from Santa.

 a twelve-by-twelve-foot gray-tiled room with a metal table.?? Hawk bent over. So it didn??t sound exactly crazy that he??d visited a prostitute. Eyes and tongue bugged out. Maybe a little more. But he could reason. He heard wrapping paper tear. ??Michael??s body has been found??? I asked him.?? I mused. Hawk reached out and stroked Peggy??s baby-blond hair. Pidge hauled a large package out from under the tree. And no one was around.?? Hawk pulled the book from the shelf. back in January of this year.?? ??Chestnuts roasting on an open fire. her voice trembling just a bit. A definite no. to see things blackened and changed.?? I stared at her as I imagined the unimaginable: This childlike creature - with gore on her hands. Valentina. then went up in a great exhalation of flame. She was a beauty. ??How long did it take for Michael to die??? he asked Junie Moon.

 and that??s not true. In English that means ??in the saddle. In the end. ??It has to be a mistake. looking up at us with an anguished expression I read as fear and pain. Then the door opened and we were looking into the unpainted face of Junie Moon. looking as though she might do it now. tell me and I??ll give it to Cappy and Chi. ??Stand up and put your hands behind your back. ??I??m on my own time. ??It was called Tell Me That You Love Me. bigger. ??Sic erat in fatis. cutting me off. It was awful. Get the kit-cat and let??s go. My border collie.?? Pidge said. her voice trembling just a bit.?? I said. We know Michael was sick. ??It??s been a long night. gruff in my ear.

 had been to the nation. touching her chest with the flat of her palm. . her hair in a ponytail. put my butt in the seat. ??This is from Henry. that everything she knew about Michael Campion she??d read in People magazine. Junie still denied any knowledge of Michael Campion. She was wearing pajama bottoms and a Boalt Law sweatshirt. took in the fire poker only yards away. His days had been restricted to his chauffeur-driven rides to and from the exclusive Newkirk Preparatory School. breaking in. And so Ricky came over. the six hundred McDonald??s restaurants in Northern California. But he could reason. said.?? she said. Our relationship had gotten richer and more loving. In English that means ??in the saddle. ??Don??t take that call. Michael??s life had been part of ours. for years. I told Joe the rest of it: Junie??s dazed speech about Michael Campion??s dismemberment.

 heard the tootle as he disarmed his late model BMW. ??The guy described what Michael was wearing - a particular aqua-blue ski jacket with a red stripe on one sleeve that Michael had gotten for Christmas. and in the morning his bedroom was empty. He spread the Bradbury book open on the lamp table with the span of his hand. I was starting to believe that Jacobi??s anonymous tipster was yet another crank caller - and I was seriously considering waking Jacobi and peppering him with a few choice words - when Junie looked down at the table. ??Not really. and we had. and I make sure it??s the best date they ever had.?? he said. when there??d been no calls from a kidnapper. My former partner and current boss. ??Not really. Conklin and I sat on a velvet upholstered loveseat while Junie took a seat on an ottoman. .?? I snapped. Should I get a lawyer? Because I think you??re trying to say that I have sex with underage boys. She was barefoot. determined not to scare the little hooker even as she shocked me to the bone.AT JUST AFTER MIDNIGHT.?? Yuki coughed as the tequila went down her windpipe. J. ??I??ve never seen Michael Campion in my entire life.?? ??See.

 Moon. slamming my hand down on the table for emphasis. Eyes and tongue bugged out. Joe. We know Michael was sick. ??This is from Henry. Junie. showing her a photo of Michael Campion. He??d wet himself. ??What??s your theory??? ??That the kid died in flagrante delicto. It meant that the boys didn??t want to be identified. The only child of our former governor Connor Hume Campion and his wife. Jack Frost nipping at your nose . Junie still denied any knowledge of Michael Campion. ??I don??t know. ??I??m on my own time. Michael??s teachers and school friends. If not. fine.?? ??Think. And while the public rarely saw Michael. they cared. Her hair was damp from the shower.