"Oh, no," Nick said, trying to look surprised that he'd been mistaken. "I'm with the Daily News, Dennis." He offered his hand. "Nick Mullins. Just trying to figure out what happened this morning." He could feel Cameron move up behind him.

"Did this officer have any identifying marks on his, uh, uniform? You know, like the big yellow letters on his back or some kind of insignia on his chest or hat?"

"No. Not that I can recall, exactly. I just sort of assumed after the commotion outside…," the little man said and then looked again over Nick's shoulder.

"Nick. I need to talk with you."

Nick turned to face Cameron, again feigning surprise.

"Oh, Mr. Cameron," Nick said. "This is Dennis, Mr. Cameron. I was just interviewing him."

Nick could see the shadow of confusion cross the little man's face.

"Mr. Cameron is with the Sheriff's Office, Dennis. They might want to talk with you also, but could I get your last name and your title at the clinic first, Dennis?" Nick said, taking out his notebook and pen.

But Dennis was already starting to back away, maybe a little pissed, maybe just a little confused. And Cameron was turning Nick in the other direction with a subtle hold on his elbow.

"Jesus, Nick," he said. "What the hell were you doing up there?"

"Just reporting, Joel."

"You just happened to leave a press briefing to take a walk on a roof?"

"Well, it's obviously a spot of interest for your guys," Nick said, nodding up toward the building.

The press officer said nothing. It was a game reporters played with public information officers. Cameron had been at it for a while. Nick had been at it longer.

"Does Detective Hargrave think the shooter fired from up on the roof?"

"That's under investigation, Nick. You know I can't tell you that without telling everyone else in the pool, man."

"That's a pretty tough shot, Joel. Seems a long distance for some street slob trying to do a little vigilantism."