Lou said, “We need to talk.”
“Yeah. Hang on.”
I took the phone into the kitchen.
“Go.”
“Leifertz told me a CI tipped him you were involved in the Bohlen murder, so he and Osch decided to bounce you.”
“He’s lying.”
“I know he’s lying. Micky Scanlon heard Leifertz and Osch before they hit you.”
“Scanlon the tall uni?”
“Yeah. Leifertz told Osch a friend downtown wanted to know what you’re doing so Osch should play along. Mick didn’t like it.”
“Did Leifertz name the friend?”
“He’s denying it. I was hoping you’d suggest a name.”
“I can’t prove what I’m about to say.”
“Never stopped you before.”
“Sanford Richter or someone associated with Richter.”
“The Sandman?”
“More likely Richter’s chief of staff, Grady Locke, but it could be someone associated with Locke.”
Lou was silent, so I filled the silence.
“Rachel Bohlen was a call girl. Grady Locke was a regular. She may have learned about or come into possession of evidence connecting Richter with a pay-to-play real estate scheme.”
“What’s your interest here?”
“Finding Josh Schumacher.”
I told him about Rachel and Josh and Josh’s disappearance. I told him pretty much everything except what I’d learned about the Schumachers. I’m not sure why I didn’t tell him, but I didn’t.
Lou said, “A council member.”
“The Sandman.”
He was silent again and I let the silence ride. I knew he was thinking it through. Lucy came to the door and gave me a questioning look. I held up a finger saying we were almost finished. She smiled and left me to it.
Lou’s voice was low.
“The U.S. Attorney and the FBI take on councilmen. A cop takes on a council member, he’d be crazy. He’d need an airtight bulletproof case before City Hall caught wind. Leave a little wiggle room, even a sliver, they’d gut the poor bastard. Isn’t this true?”
“True.”
“You hear what I’m saying?”
“I do.”
Lou was letting me run with it. He wouldn’t sit it out, but he needed to move slowly so Richter and Locke wouldn’t suspect they were the subjects of an investigation.
He said, “I would, of course, appreciate any further information you happen upon.”
“It’s yours. And anything you can tell me about Bohlen’s murder would help. Suspects, witnesses, time and place. Whatever you have.”
“She was up in Griffith, so Central Bureau has the case. I’ll find out and catch you tomorrow.”
I hung up, returned to the living room, and flopped on the couch.
“What’re we watching?”
We watched a baking show from Britain and enjoyed it so much we watched two more. Midway through the third, Ben nodded out spread-eagle on the floor.
Lucy said, “I guess it’s bedtime.”
“What’s on the sched for tomorrow?”
Tomorrow would be their last day.
“We hadn’t decided. I feel like I haven’t seen you.”
She suddenly looked embarrassed.
“I shouldn’t have said it. I am so sorry.”
“It’s okay. Next time we’ll plan.”
She nodded.
“We’ll plan.”
She hesitated, as if about to say more, but I guess she changed her mind. She called it a night, nudged Ben awake, and the two of them went to bed. I watched them go.
A little bit later, I locked the house and climbed the stairs to my loft. Still later, I was in bed when Lucy came up the stairs. She stopped at the landing.
“May I come in?”
She had changed into a loose LSU T-shirt and baggy purple shorts. Ready for bed.
“Absolutely.”
I scooted upright. Lucy perched at the foot of the bed and raked her hair behind an ear.
“You believe I’m projecting my fears onto Ben?”
She didn’t seem angry or defensive. She seemed thoughtful. I tried to give a thoughtful answer.
“Ben believes you do. I used the word, but his feelings were clear. So, yes.”
She nodded.
“What are his feelings?”
“You don’t hear him.”
“He said this?”
“My words. He isn’t in denial about what happened. He doesn’t feel helpless before Richard’s fatherly power. He’s tired of talking about it. He doesn’t want to be the boy in the box anymore.”