The captain was short, stocky with leathery brown skin and piercing eyes one shade lighter. Each month expanded his bald spot; what little hair remained was black and that offered him some consolation. He winced as he read through the hate-spewing letters penned by Harry Modell, executive director of Families Under God.

Torres put the missives down and looked across the conference table at Isis and Barnes. Two of his best detectives and they’d learned nada.

“They’re obviously written by someone who’s bigoted and mean-spirited, but I don’t see enough actual threat for us to act. The First Amendment doesn’t discriminate between civil and barbaric.”

Barnes said, “I’m not recommending that we prosecute him, Cap, but both Amanda and I think it’d be negligent if we didn’t at least talk to him.”

Amanda said, “He’s written other poison-pen letters to female members of our state congress. If something happens to one of those ladies, we’ll be in deep waters.”

Headlines flashed in Torres’s head. Talking heads on the tube, his own name bandied about like a cussword. “How many women are we talking about?”

“At least two.”

“What about men?” Torres asked.

Amanda said, “None so far, but Detective Don Newell from Sacramento PD is investigating.”

Torres said, “Then maybe you should wait until Newell makes his report before I allocate the funds to send you down south.”

“I have another reason for wanting to go to LA this week, sir,” Barnes said. “Detective Newell arrested two losers who were behind the assault on Davida Grayson last week.”

“The egging.”

Barnes nodded. “Coupla morons named Ray and Brent Nutterly from the White Tower boys. Their boss, Marshall Bledsoe, might be visiting LA.”

“Bledsoe,” said Torres. “Suspected synagogue bomber but he was never charged. Egging seems lightweight for him.”

“True, sir, but Newell is pretty sure the Nutterly boys wouldn’t have acted without Bledsoe’s go-ahead. In light of Grayson’s murder, we should question him. That’s two obvious reasons for going south.”

“Obvious,” Torres repeated.

Amanda said, “Bledsoe lives in Idaho but we’ve got a bench warrant for outstanding traffic violations. His mother lives in the San Fernando Valley and Thanksgiving’s coming up.”

“Dropping in on Mommy,” said the captain. “You do any prep on this?”

“We called LAPD West Valley Division and they called saying there’s a pickup with Idaho plates in Mom’s driveway. That was an hour ago.”

Barnes said, “Four months ago, Modell moved about ten miles north of Bledsoe’s mother.”

“Convenient,” said Torres. “Do the two of them know each other?”

“Good question.”

Torres glanced at his wristwatch. “It’s too late to put you two on a plane and get you back in time for town hall. If Bledsoe is visiting Mom for the holidays, he isn’t going anywhere. The community meeting’s been pushed back from seven to eight. Community affairs is making up a list of mock questions. Go over them so you’re prepared. I know I don’t have to tell you this but I will anyway. No mention of Modell or Bledsoe by name. If someone asks about suspects, tell them we’re focusing our attention on a few persons of interest. You do all that, you can book tickets to La La Land.”

“Thanks, got it,” Barnes said.

“Meanwhile,” said Torres, “go down to the morgue in Oakland and see what forensics you can get on Grayson. Coroner’s running a full toxicology screen. Given an overkill shotgun thing in the wee hours of the morning, I’m still seeing red flags for a dope deal gone sour. Her blood turns up dirty, we’ve got a new kind of complication. Afterward, grab some dinner and clean up before town hall. I want you both presentable.”

“We’re not presentable?” Amanda asked.

“You are,” Torres said. “Barnes looks a little wilted.”

“I’ll unwilt, sir, maybe even shave. When should we leave for LA?”

“Book a seven AM tomorrow. Call up Southwest and JetBlue. Go with whoever’s cheaper.”

It took ten minutes for Amanda to connect with the deputy coroner in charge of Davida Grayson’s autopsy. Dr. Marv Williman was in his late sixties but had the voice of a much younger man. “Detective Isis. Well, this is kismet. I was just about to call you.”

“And here I am,” Amanda answered. “Will Barnes and I are on our way to see you.”

“I finished up the autopsy an hour ago. That means we can meet somewhere other than the crypt.”

“That’s fine with me. I’m wearing a designer suit.”

“Hoo hah,” said Williman. “ Berkeley ’s coming up in the world. I’m a little hungry. There’s a great Italian place named Costino’s about three blocks from my office, more trattoria than osteria.”

“Sounds good.” Amanda secured the address. “We’ll see you in about thirty, forty minutes.”

“What sounds good?” Will asked.

“We’re meeting Dr. Williman at an Italian restaurant instead of the morgue.”

“Pasta in place of pancreases, excellent. It’s been awhile since I ate something serious.”

“What constitutes awhile?”

“Depends on my mood.”

The pasta was excellent but Barnes was so hungry, he barely registered the taste until he polished off the plate. Linguini with fresh tomatoes, basil, garlic, smoked ham and fresh parmesan cheese. Williman seemed equally enamored of his osso buco. Amanda nibbled one slice of her mini white pizza and picked at her salad greens.

“Are you going to eat that?” Will asked, pointing to the pizza.

“Knock yourself out,” Amanda answered. “Want a slice, Marv?”

Williman said, “You’re not going to eat it?”

“I’m full.”

“Big lunch?” Barnes asked.

“Just trying to take off a little weight.”

“Where?” both men asked simultaneously.

“I hide it well.” She put down her fork. “So what can you illuminate for us, Dr. Williman?”

The doctor took a gulp of Chianti and set down his wineglass. “Actually I have a couple of important things to pass on.”

“Wait a minute.” Barnes wiped his face with a napkin, appalled at all the sauce it had soaked up, then fished out his notepad and pen. “Okay, go, Doc.”

Williman opened his briefcase and handed Amanda and Barnes a two-page stapled summary of the autopsy. “I haven’t finished the complete transcription but I wanted to give you this right away.”

He let them scan, then continued. “As you can see, the tox screen came up negative for the usual array of street drugs- ”

“Is that blood alcohol level right?” Barnes remarked.

“Ah, you noticed. Very good. Yes, we ran it twice. Did this woman hit the bars last night?”

“I was told she went out to dinner with her mother at the ladies’ club then headed straight to the office. According to the server, they left around nine. Her mother was the last person to see her alive, other than the killer.”

Williman said, “I don’t know about you, but I couldn’t work very effectively with a BAL of.22. Any idea how much alcohol she consumed over dinner?”

Amanda said, “According to the waiter, it was the old lady who was shooting back the booze. Davida just had a single glass of wine.”

“Well, she made up for lost time, later. And her drinking wasn’t a one-shot deal. Her liver was in the early to middle stages of fatty cirrhosis.”

Amanda said, “I don’t recall anyone saying Davida was a heavy drinker. It’s Minette who imbibes.”

Barnes said, “The people I’ve talked to say Davida spent most of her time working, a lot of that alone. Maybe she was a secret drinker.”

Williman said, “She got booze in her system somehow. Chronically.”

Amanda said, “A BAL of.22 could explain why she was napping at her desk and didn’t hear anyone enter her office.”