On the front door they found a brass lion’s head with a knocker coming out of its mouth.

‘Eccentric,’ Garcia commented and knocked three times. ‘I bet they have a swimming pool in their backyard.’

‘This is Malibu, rookie, all the houses around here come with a swimming pool, whether you want it or not.’

A few seconds later the door opened to reveal a fair-haired, brown-eyed little girl no older than ten. Not who they were expecting.

‘Hi there, is your daddy home?’ Garcia said with a broad smile and bending over to draw level with the little girl.

She took a step back and studied the two men in front of her for a short moment. ‘May I ask who I should announce?’

Garcia was taken aback by the little girl’s eloquence. ‘Of course you may,’ he replied trying to match her pompousness. ‘I’m Detective Garcia and this is Detective Hunter,’ he said, pointing to Hunter.

‘May I see some identification please?’ she asked with a skeptical look.

Garcia couldn’t help laughing. ‘Sure.’ Both detectives produced their badges and watched in amusement as the little girl checked their credentials.

‘Is there some sort of problem, detective?’

‘No. But we do need to speak to your daddy if you don’t mind.’

‘I’m not to call my father “daddy.” “Daddy” is for little kids. Please wait here,’ she said dryly and closed the door on them.

‘What just happened?’ Garcia asked turning to face Hunter who shrugged. ‘She’s what? Around ten years old? Can you imagine what she’ll be like when she’s fifty?’

‘It’s not her fault,’ Hunter said with a head tilt. ‘Her parents probably force her to behave like an older child, not allowing her to come out and play, not allowing her to have many friends, pushing her to become an exemplary student. Without knowing they are doing more harm than good.’

They heard heavier footsteps approaching. An adult finally. The door opened and this time the same tall, skinny man they’d talked to at Tale & Josh stood in front of them.

‘Mr Peterson, we talked on Friday. Detectives Garcia and Hunter,’ Garcia said first.

‘Yes, of course I remember. What’s this about, gentlemen? I’ve told you everything I know.’

‘It’s just a follow-up call, sir,’ Hunter this time. ‘We just wanna tie up some loose ends.’

‘And you wanna do this in my home?’ Peterson asked in an irritated tone.

‘If we could have only ten minutes of your time…’

‘It’s Sunday, gentlemen,’ he cut in. ‘I like to spend Sundays with my family… uninterrupted. If you wanna tie anything up, my secretary would gladly arrange an appointment. Now if you’d excuse me.’ He started to close the door but Hunter pushed his foot forward stopping it.

‘Mr Peterson,’ Hunter said before Peterson had a chance to voice his discontentment. ‘Your colleague, your friend, was murdered by a total maniac who respects nothing. That wasn’t a vengeance killing, and it sure as hell wasn’t a chance one either. We’re not sure who will be next, but what we do know is if we don’t stop him, there will be another victim.’ Hunter paused, staring Peterson straight in the eye. ‘I’d love to have Sunday off, to spend it with my family and I’m sure so would Detective Garcia.’

Garcia raised an eyebrow at Hunter.

‘But we’re trying to save lives. Ten minutes, that’s all we ask.’

Peterson compressed his lips still looking annoyed. ‘OK, let’s talk out there, not in here.’ He made a head movement towards the road where Garcia’s car was parked. ‘Honey, I’ll be back in ten minutes,’ he called to the inside of the house before closing the door behind him.

As they reached Garcia’s car Hunter stole a peek back at the house. The little girl was looking down at them from a window on the second floor with sad eyes.

‘Great kid you’ve got there,’ Hunter commented.

‘Yes, she’s adorable,’ Peterson replied uninterested.

‘It’s a beautiful day. Doesn’t she like playing by the pool?’

‘She has schoolwork to do,’ he said firmly.

Hunter moved on. ‘Is that a new Chevy van?’ He pointed to the car.

‘I’ve had it for a couple of months.’

‘What kind of mileage do you get per gallon?’

‘Detective, you’re not here to talk about my daughter or my new van, so how about you cut to the chase.’

Hunter nodded. ‘We need to find out a little more about George’s Tuesday nights. We know he wasn’t playing poker. If you have any information, we need to know.’

Peterson retrieved a cigarette from a pack in his pocket and placed it on his lips letting it hang loosely. ‘Do you mind?’ he asked, lighting it up.

Hunter and Garcia both shrugged at the same time.

‘George was a quiet person, kept himself to himself,’ he said, taking a long drag.

‘Anything out of the ordinary?’

‘Well…’ Peterson paused.

‘Yes?’ Hunter pressed.

‘He might’ve been having an affair.’

Hunter studied Peterson for a few silent seconds. ‘With someone in the office?’

‘No, no. Definitely not.’

‘How can you be so sure?’

‘We have no women lawyers in the firm. All the secretaries and assistants are senior women.’

‘So? A lot of men like older women,’ Garcia offered.

‘Still too risky, it could’ve cost him his job. George wasn’t stupid,’ Peterson replied, shaking his head.

‘So why do you say you think he was having an affair?’ Hunter asked.

‘By chance I’ve overheard him on the phone a few times.’ Peterson made sure he emphasized the words ‘by chance.’

‘And what did you hear?’

‘Lover’s talk – “I miss you and I’ll see you tonight.” That kinda thing.’

‘He could’ve been speaking to his wife,’ Garcia suggested.

‘I doubt it,’ Peterson shot back, twisting his mouth to the left and blowing a thin cloud of smoke.

‘Why do you doubt it?’ Hunter asked.

‘I’ve heard him speaking to his wife before. He didn’t talk to her like that, you know, all sweet and all, like newlyweds do. It was somebody else, I’m sure of it.’ He paused for another drag. ‘Most of the secret calls came on Tuesdays.’

‘Are you sure?’

‘Yes I am. So when you guys came around the firm asking about George’s Tuesday-night poker game, I figured it must’ve been some sort of lie he’d told his wife. I didn’t wanna be the one to rat him out, so I kept my mouth shut. His wife already has a lot on her plate as it is… poor woman.’

‘Have you ever met her?’

‘Yes, once. She’s a very nice woman… pleasant. I’m a family man, Detective, I also believe in God and I don’t approve of cheating, but George didn’t deserve what he got. Even if he was cheating on his marriage.’

‘How about gambling? Did you know he used to gamble?’

‘No!’ Peterson replied surprised.

‘Have you ever heard him say anything about going to dog races, greyhounds?’

Another shake of the head.

‘Internet gambling?’

‘If he was gambling he would’ve kept it really quiet from everyone in the office. The senior partners wouldn’t approve of it.’

‘How about friends from outside the firm? He must’ve known other people. Have you ever met any of them, you know, at a party or something?’

‘No, I can’t say I have. His wife was the only person he’s ever taken to any of the firm’s social engagements.’

‘How about his clients?’

‘As far as I know, strictly professional relationships. He didn’t mingle.’

Hunter started to feel like he was trying to force blood out of a stone.

‘Is there anything else you can tell us about him, anything peculiar you’ve noticed?’

‘Other than the sweet-talk phone calls… no. As I’ve said, he was a quiet man, kept himself to himself.’

‘Was there anyone else in the firm who was closer to him, like a buddy?’

‘Not that I know of. George never hung around. He never came out for a drink with any of us. He did what he needed to do in the office and that was that.’

‘Did he stay late?’

‘We all do when the case demands it, but not for fun.’