“That’s interesting news indeed,” I said, sitting at the table, “the victim owning a weapon identical to the murder weapon.” I skewered Amber with a pointed look, or would have if she had been paying me any attention at all.

“You don’t know the half of it,” Carpenter replied. “I’ve two more tidbits for you. There’s been a great deal of activity in the finances of Heath, McKenzie, and Company lately. Vast sums quietly moved from the corporate accounts into the personal account of Mr. Heath, then moved elsewhere last morning. The forensics boffins are tracking it down. We tried to have a word with Mr. Heath, but his solicitor would have none of it. I understand he isn’t happy with our earlier liberties taken.”

Amber held up a finger in our direction and said, “Finally. Inspector…”

She went on, and Carpenter stopped. When it became evident he would be waiting politely until Amber finished, I asked, “Do you think it worthwhile to get a motion to compel testimony?”

“Not yet, I wouldn’t think,” he said. “An option to consider, but we’ve enough to work on now that I hope we won’t need one. The independent press hates them.” The local dailies would have a field day, it was true.

“You know what sort of time pressure I’m facing,” said Amber. “Yes. No, I owe you a bigger favor than usual. I’ll ring you up next time I’m in University Park. Yes. Thank you so very much. Goodbye.” She set her desk comm back in its cradle and joined us at the table. “Your third success?” she prompted.

“We called on Anneli Marchand,” said Baker. I raised my eyebrows. “She has witnesses to place her in West End for the past week, and she knows nearly nothing of interest. She had a letter from Mr. McKenzie, and rebuffed his advances in her reply. That would have been two days before the murder.”