“What is?”

“Figuring out you’re living in a different world.”

Pigeons had partied atop Reed’s rented Cadillac. He grumbled, “Story of my life,” sounding uncannily like Milo.

His cell phone went off. “Reed… I’m so sorry, ma’am… yes, absolutely, ma’am.” Pulling his pad out, he scrawled, hung up.

“That was Mary Lewis, Sheralyn Dawkins’s mom. She lives in Fall-brook. What’s more important, watching Huck or talking to her?”

“Her,” said Milo. “Bring a scrape kit. At the very least we’ll get a firm I.D. on Sheralyn. I’ll watch Huck.”

“Depending on what she has to say, Loo, I can start out now, do a turnaround, and be back at the Vander house in eight, nine hours.”

“You start out now, you hit the crush, forget it. Get the DNA kit, pack yourself an overnight bag, leave when it’s clearer. Take the coastal route, find yourself a bed in Capistrano, whatever. Eat a nice seafood dinner, watch cable, be ready for Ms. Lewis in the morning.”

“Any suggestions where to stay?”

“Department’s not gonna pay for the Ritz-Carlton, you’ll be lucky to get a mattress and Cheez Whiz from a vending machine. And for God’s sake, fill out the forms-no, forget it, I’ll do it for you.”

“I’ll do it,” said Reed. “Promise.”

“Yadda yadda yadda.”

The two of them drove off the Pizza Palazzo lot and I headed home.

I phoned Robin, asked if she wanted me to pick up dinner.

She said, “Beat you to it. Prime rib.”

“What’s the occasion?”

“Prime rib. I was thinking we could invite Milo and Rick. On the off chance Rick’s free.”

“Feeling hospitable?”

“Got my hostess gown and my martini shaker and I bought enough cow for eight, which should accommodate Milo. It dawned on me after he called you this morning. I haven’t talked to him in ages-and we haven’t seen the two of them socially for even longer.”

“Nice thought,” I said, “but Milo’s doing surveillance tonight.”

“Oh. Starting when?”

“After dark.”

“Let’s eat early.”

“You feeling okay?”

“What?”

“Acute attack of sociability.”

“I’ve been too isolated, darling. You get to go out, meet people. I talk to Blanche and pieces of wood.”

“I’ll call Milo.”

“I’ll call. He has trouble refusing me.”

Pleasant surprise for both invitees.

Dr. Rick Silverman was off shift at the E.R.

Milo said, “Red meat. Public safety will just have to cool its goddamn heels.”

Rick arrived first, wearing a maroon silk shirt, pressed jeans, and mesh loafers, bearing an enormous orchid arrangement for Robin. His silver hair was longer than usual, his mustache boasted of surgical skills. Robin took the flowers and kissed him. Blanche rubbed her head against his cuffs.

He kneeled, petted. “Gorgeous. Can I take her home as a party favor?”

“Love you, Richard,” said Robin. “But not that much.”

He played with the dog some more, eyed the roast, sizzling as it rested. “Smells fantastic, glad I took an extra dose of Lipitor. Can I help with anything?”

“Nothing to help with. Manhattan on the rocks, Maker’s Mark, capful of red vermouth, dash of orange bitters, no cherry?”

“Impressive,” said Rick. “Not that I ever stray from the familiar.” He sat. Blanche settled at his feet. A long arm dangled; adroit fingers kneaded her flews. “Big Guy should be here any minute.”

Robin said, “He phoned half an hour ago, said he got beeped by Downtown, would let me know if he couldn’t make it. I haven’t heard from him since.”

“Downtown. That again.”

“What again?”

“New chief’s a hands-on administrator. Milo ’s never had to deal with anything like it. It’s probably better than the old days- Siberia. But the personal attention cuts both ways. Right, Alex?”

I said, “Pressure to perform.”

“Exactly.”

Rick tried Milo’s cell, got voice mail, didn’t bother to leave a message.

Robin brought his drink, turned to me. “Chivas, baby?”

“Thanks.”

As she poured, Rick carried his Manhattan to the kitchen window, looked out at trees and sky. “I forget how pretty it is.” He sipped. “Sounds like this marsh mess won’t resolve soon, Alex.”

I nodded.

“Terrible,” he said. “Those poor women. Though I’m thinking selfishly. Disgustingly narcissistic, in fact. I got invited to give a speech at an alumni meeting. Thought we both might make it. Do a New England thing afterward. Milo’s never been.”

Robin said, “Undergrad at Brown or med school at Yale?”

“Yale.” He laughed. “No big whup, those things are always mind-numbing.”

The front door shut. A voice roared: “I smell carcass!”

Milo stomped into the kitchen, hugged everyone, sucked up all the oxygen in the room. The look on Rick’s face was pure relief.

Within three minutes, Milo had guzzled juice from the fridge, downed a beer, inspected the roast as if it were evidence, dipped a finger into a gravy spot on the counter and tasted. “Oh, this is going to be good. Where we going in terms of wine?”

The four of us ate lustily and polished off a bottle of New Zealand Pinot.

When Robin asked how Milo was doing, he took the question literally and reviewed the basics of the marsh murders.

Rick said, “Appetizing.”

Milo ran a finger over his lips.

Robin said, “No, I’m interested.”

Milo said, “You might be, but Dr. Rick is repelled and Dr. Alex is bored out of his skull. Whoever has custody of the potatoes, please pass.”

Small talk commenced. Milo didn’t contribute much, continued to shovel food like a combine. Rick worked hard at ignoring the rate of ingestion; he’s still trying to get Milo in for a checkup.

Blanche toddled in from her nap. She’s the only dog Milo ’s ever admitted liking, but when she brushed against his leg, he ignored her. Rick lifted Blanche onto his lap, worked her ears.

Milo said, “Arf,” and stared into space.

Robin said, “Dessert?”

“I’m full, thanks,” said Rick.

“Congrats,” said Milo.

“For what?”

“Speaking for yourself.”

We moved outside, to the pond, ate fruit, drank coffee, watched the fish, tried to identify constellations in the moonless sky.

Milo said, “Twinkle, twinkle,” and lit up a cigar.

Rick said, “At least it’s outside, you won’t be poisoning the hosts.”

Milo tousled his hair. “How thoughtful of me.”

“What you’re doing to your own lungs we won’t talk about.”

Milo cupped a hand near his ear. “Ey, what’s that, sonny?”

Rick sighed.

Milo said, “I am beyond mere chemistry.”

“Ah, the theory. Call the Nobel committee.”

“What theory?” said Robin.

“He’s been so long on the job that his internal organs are petrified and immune to toxins.”

“Man of Granite,” said Milo, smoking hungrily. Holding his Timex to a low-voltage spot bulb, he said, “Oops, it’s that time,” got up, stubbed the cigar on stone, hugged everyone, and left.

Rick picked up the butt, held it between thumb and index finger. “Where should I toss this?”

By midnight, Robin and I were in bed, under crisp, clean covers.

She fell asleep quickly. I dragged myself through the usual brain-sweep, working to quiet my mind. Was back in Missouri, mastering my father’s Remington, feeling bigger than Dad-bigger than a bear-when the phone rang.

Dad said, “Hey, Al, you really caught on.”

Ring ring ring ring ring.

Stupid; no phones in the forest. I pulled the covers over my head.

Stayed gigantic.