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Milo said, “How about Randi brings it over and we examine it in front of her.”
“You don’t need to take possession?”
“Not if it’s business-related, Doug.”
Silence.
“Why not,” said March. “Extricating myself from this mess is smart. I need to be smart.”
—
Thirty-eight minutes later, Randi Levine was standing in the doorway to Milo’s office bearing a tome of printout that she placed on his desk.
Milo said, “Thanks. Coffee or something else to drink?”
She shook her head. “Never been in a police station before. What did this place used to be, a closet?”
He smiled and turned to the printout. Flicked pages. “Lots of calls.”
She said, “Six thousand five hundred and fifty-six over the twelve-month period you requested.”
Milo said, “You counted.”
Randi Levine said, “I’m thorough.”
I pushed buttons on my phone.
Milo said, “Appreciate that, but this is way too much to go over while you wait. Please call Doug and ask if I can photocopy.”
She said, “He won’t like that,” but complied. Speed-dialing March, she began explaining, then handed the phone to Milo, who flipped it to speaker.
Doug March said, “You really need to, Lieutenant?”
“Unless you want Ms. Levine to make multiple trips for days.”
“There’s that much?”
“Six thousand five hundred plus, Doug.”
“Wow. Who knew I was that popular.” Low laughter. “Sure, what the hell, it’s in my best interests. Also, I owe you for being a jerk.”
That admission parted Randi Levine’s lips and corrugated her forehead. As if straining to make sense of a foreign language. She recovered quickly, stood tall and turned impassive.
Milo said, “Really appreciate it, Doug,” and returned the phone to her. She looked everywhere but at us as Milo scooped up the dense wad of paper and sidled past her into the hallway.
“Be back in a sec.”
I sat there as Randi Levine continued to avoid eye contact. A minute or so later, she did what everyone does for distraction in the age ofquestionable information: got back on her phone, pulled up a screen, and began scrolling studiously. My chair put me close enough to catch an oblique glimpse of what occupied her attention. Women posing in bright colors. Fashion website.
I used the time to check for messages. Neither of us had spoken by the time Milo returned with two tomes. He handed one to her.
She logged off and we walked her to the elevator.
As we waited, she said, “I’ve never heard him like that before.”
“Like what?” said Milo.
“Vulnerable.”
