the crypt knowing that the cops are onto him?”
“Why would he think we’re onto him?”
“What if the thief saw all the commotion that went on this afternoon?”
“Did you spot anyone nosing around?”
“Not really, but I wasn’t looking. What about you?”
“I checked around several times. I didn’t notice anyone watching.”
“Maybe no one was watching us on the streets. But I’m betting that a few of the neighbors pulled back their curtains to see what was going on.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right about that. And that leads me to another thought. If we start asking questions locally, eventually the local paper will find out. So will everyone else, including the thief—if he’s local. This is a very small town.”
“So I repeat. What’s next?”
“Not doing surveillance would be negligent. Let’s do something before the case blows wide open. Could you help me hook up a camera?”
“Who’s gonna pay for this?”
“I’ll ask Mike. It’s something that’s handy to have.”
“And if Mike says no?”
“I’ll pay. These things aren’t that expensive even for an old retiree like myself. Of course, if some rich kid with gold watches wants to pitch in, I won’t object.”
Despite himself, McAdams smiled. “Maybe that can be arranged.” He pulled into the station’s parking lot. “Okay. Happy hunting. And what do I do while you’re out there making suspect lists and checking them twice? Practice shooting jelly beans out my nose?”
“Can you really do that?” McAdams rolled his eyes and Decker said, “Think about it, McAdams. You tell me. What useful things could you do?”
“Quit this job and do something that will exploit my many talents?”
“Does that include law school?”
A pause. “Eventually.”
“How about if you look up past crimes of cemetery theft? If nothing shows up nearby, branch out using Greenbury as the center of the circle. Lots of fancy mausoleums in the area. I’m sure this has happened before.”
McAdams sighed. “Fine.”
“Too exhausting for you, Harvard?”
“I just think it’s stupid.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because we both think it’s a professional theft, especially because the original panels were replaced with forgeries. The probability of finding those stolen panels is very low. It’s a lot of effort for very little or no outcome.”
Decker shook his head. “Man, you really are in the wrong field. What the hell were you thinking when you signed up?”
McAdams gave the question some serious thought. “My main motivation for taking this job was pissing on my father’s expectations. He is really into my going to Harvard Law. Stalling a couple of years is making him nervous and that makes me happy.”
“So here’s the deal.” Decker put his hand on the kid’s shoulder. “I can handle this all by my lonesome. So if you want to just fart around, I’m okay with that. No one will have to know. You tell me, Tyler. What do you want to do—if anything?”
“I know I’m acting like a dick.” McAdams rubbed his forehead. “I am a dick. I don’t like being a dick, but I don’t know how not to be a dick. I guess being a dick is better than being a tool. Although I guess I’m kind of a tool, too.” He looked up at Decker. “Some people just don’t have winning ways.”
“Do you know how many different and difficult personalities I’ve had to work with over the years?” When McAdams didn’t answer, Decker said, “Yes, you’re a little obnoxious, but nothing I haven’t seen before. Besides, I don’t care about personalities. I just care about getting the job done and I need to organize my time. In or out?”
“If it would be useful to you, I will look up art thefts on the Internet.”
“It would save me time so, yes, it would be useful. And while you’re on the computer, find out what you can about Tiffany and, specifically, those panels. See if they were ever mentioned in any book or loaned to a museum for a traveling exhibition.”
“I’m not sure I can do all that with just a laptop.”
“It’s called research. You never wrote a term paper in college?”
“I had all of Widener at my disposal.”
“There are five colleges about a mile away that are highly regarded. I know they have libraries.”
“You know if I start doing that, word might get around that I’m researching Tiffany and grave robberies.”
“I’m not too concerned about that, Harvard. You’re town, they’re gown. Never the twain shall meet.”
Wan and out of breath, he forced himself to walk calmly down the hallway, knocking on her door instead of banging. As soon as Angeline answered, she took one look at him and asked what was wrong. He came in and gently shut the door. Then he began to pace: hard to do in her tiny one-bedroom apartment.
“What?” she asked. “Tell me!”
Panic in her voice. He managed to get it out. “They’re onto us. They know about your forgeries.”
Angeline felt her heart race. “My forgeries? Our forgeries, okay.”
“Whatever.”
“Not whatever. This is a partnership.” She rubbed her forehead. “Oh my God, are you sure?”
“Yes.” More pacing. “That fucking lock. I knew it was too cold to go out. I knew that there was a chance that the metal would freeze and the key would break off.”
“So why did you go out?”
“I figured it was so cold that no one else would be out and I could work without being bothered.” He knocked his fist against his head. “Shit! I’m so damn stupid! Wasting all this energy and time and risk for something so in-significant. Serves me right for being greedy!”
Yes, he was greedy, but her main concern was calming him down. His voice was getting louder and louder. She put her finger to his lips and spoke in low tones. “It’s like one in the afternoon. Let’s sit down and maybe we can work out a plan.”
“That’s it! No more. I can’t take the chance any longer. Not when such big things are at
