“You’ll be writing up your notes for the daily meeting, of course.”

“Of course. That’s why you pay me the big bucks.”

“Probably don’t have a lot to write up, just yet.”

“Not just yet. There’ll be a lot more when Jack and Teddy report.”

Naomi nods to herself, musing, and I can almost hear her brain humming as she shifts through scenarios and alternatives. “This is a bit delicate, but there’s something we need to keep in mind.” She hesitates.

“Shoot,” I urge her. “I’m a big girl, I can take it.”

“My concern is with Jack Delancey. He’ll be our main investigator on this case-he expects no less-but the circumstances are such that he may be compromised.”

“Excuse me?”

“Friendship can do that. He and Shane go way back, and Jack holds him in the highest regard. Clearly he can’t bring himself to consider the possibility that Randall Shane might be playing us.”

“Wait. You really think he killed this professor guy?”

“I’ve no idea, but I’m keeping an open mind. The facts must lead us, not our hearts.”

“So why aren’t you telling this to Jack instead of me?”

Naomi grimaces slightly, as if made uneasy by what she’s about to say. “Because I want you to keep your eyes open. If you think Jack misses something crucial, whether accidentally or on purpose, you will report to me.”

I’m astonished. “You want me to rat out Jack Delancey?”

“An unfortunate phrase. But yes, if the situation warrants it, that’s exactly what I expect.”