“Louis Ross Roulet. The trial’s in Van Nuys Superior before Judge Fullbright.”
“Is he in custody?”
“No, he’s out on a bond.”
“Any animosity between Roulet and Mr. Levin?”
“Not that I know of.”
I had decided. I was going to deal with Roulet in the way I knew how. I was sticking with the plan I had concocted—with the help of Raul Levin. Drop a depth charge into the case and make sure to get clear. I felt I owed it to my friend Mish. He would have wanted it this way. I wouldn’t farm it out. I would handle it personally.
“Could this have been a gay thing?” Lankford asked.
“What? Why do you say that?”
“Prissy dog and then all around the house, he’s only got pictures of guys and the dog. Everywhere. On the walls, next to the bed, on the piano.”
“Look closely, Detective. It is probably one guy. His partner died a few years ago. I don’t think he’s been with anybody since then.”
“Died of AIDS, I bet.”
I didn’t confirm that for him. I just waited. On the one hand, I was annoyed with Lankford’s manner. On the other hand, I figured that his torch-the-ground method of investigation would preclude him from being able to tag Roulet with this. That was fine with me. I only needed to stall him for five or six weeks and then I wouldn’t care if they put it together or not. I’d be finished with my own play by then.
“Did this guy go out patrolling the gay joints?” Lankford asked.
I shrugged.
“I have no idea. But if it was a gay murder, why was his office ransacked and not the rest of the house?”
Lankford nodded. He seemed to be momentarily taken aback by the logic of my question. But then he hit me with a surprise punch.
“So where were you this morning, Counselor?”
“What?”
“It’s just routine. The scene indicates the victim knew his killer. He let the shooter right into the back room. As I said before, he was probably sitting in his desk chair when he took the bullet. Looks to me like he was quite comfortable with his killer. We are going to have to clear all acquaintances, professional and social.”
“Are you saying I’m a suspect in this?”
“No, I’m just trying to clear things up and tighten the focus.”
“I was home all morning. I was getting ready to meet Raul at Dodger Stadium. I left for the stadium about twelve and that’s where I was when you called.”
“What about before that?”
“Like I said, I was home. I was alone. But I got a phone call about eleven that will put me in my house and I’m at least a half hour from here. If he was killed after eleven, then I’m clear.”
Lankford didn’t rise to the bait. He didn’t give me the time of death. Maybe it was unknown at the moment.
“When was the last time you spoke to him?” he asked instead.
“Last night by telephone.”
“Who called who and why?”
“He called me and asked if I could get to the game early. I said I could.”
“How come?”
