Page 31 of City of the Dead

“WestL.A., near Culver City. We’re talking a twenty-minute drive to Cordi’s place during rush hour, a lot less in the wee hours. Haven’t found out why he closed down his gym but I’m guessing it wasn’t a gold mine. And if he opened a place here, I haven’t found it yet.”

“Down on his luck?” I said. “That could kick up the sensitivity.”

“Prodding the bear when he’s hungry ain’t a smart strategy,” he said. “I definitely want to talk to him, already phoned him twice and got voicemail. Maybe I’ll have Moe drive by his apartment. If Hoffgarden’s gone and stays gone, he definitely gets pushed up the person-of-interest pole. You know what we detecting types think about rabbiting.”

“Like those old movies. Don’t leave town.”

“The old movies,” he said, “people listened.”

—

Back in my office, I scrolled the message from the unfamiliar lawyer. Lewis Porer, a Mid-Wilshire number. I called and his receptionist put me on hold for too long. Porer’s luck, I was fiddling with the computer and put up with it.

“Dr. Delaware? Lewis Evan Porer. Apparently, you’ve been assigned to evaluate one of my client’s children. I’m here to fill you in.”

I said, “What’s the case?”

“The case in question isDeeb versus McManus.I’m representing—”

“Haven’t received anything from the court on that one.”

“You will,” said Porer. “These are the essential—”

“Sorry,” I said. “I deal directly with the court and hold off attorney contact until later in the evaluation.” If ever.

Silence. “That’s rather…different.”

“It’s the way I operate.”

“Be that as it may, the wayIoperate is—”

“Don’t want to cut you off, Mr. Porer, but this isn’t the time for discussion. Once I hear from the court, I’ll begin my evaluation. Thanks for calling.”

“You arecuttingme off?”

“As I said—”

“I heard what you said. What if I don’t approve of your methodology and register a complaint with the judge?”

“Your prerogative.”

“Family court is a porous institution. Things get around.”

You’ll nevah work in this town again, kid.

I said, “Be that as it may.”

“Your attitude,” said Lewis Evan Porer, “is inapt. Family law is all about communication and here I am attempting to communicate and getting rebuffed.”

What you’re attempting is an early jump on the opposition in order to bias my perception.

I said, “I’m sure your intentions are good but that’s the way it’s going to be.”

“Is it?” he said. “We’ll see.”

Click.

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