"And is a Crisis Unit something like solitary confinement?" Michaels interrupted again.

Hackner smiled broadly. "Yes, it is. Very similar indeed. From that point on, all we have is conjecture. But the bottom line is, we believe that Nathan Bailey killed Ricky Harris and then escaped. Bailey is on the loose as we speak. The coroner hasn't been here yet, but my examination of the body shows at least five stab wounds to the abdomen and chest."

"Care to conjecture a motive?"

Hackner shrugged. "My guess is he wanted to get the hell out of this place. Wouldn't you?"

Michaels frowned. "I don't know that I'd kill for it. Do we have a murder weapon?"

"Sure do. It's still stuck in the body. Good eye, Lieutenant."

The brown wooden handle of a Buck knife protruded from the decedent's chest, just below his embroidered name. From Warren's angle to the body, the weapon was partially concealed. "Bite me," he growled.

Warren pointed to the security camera in the upper left rear corner of the room. "Have you checked the tape?" he asked. "Maybe we have a movie of this whole thing."

"Checked it, and no, we don't. The video system is down." Of course it is. Where did the knife come from?"

"Don't know?'

"How long has he been dead?"

"Can't tell for sure. My guess is about two hours."

Michaels's eyes bored into Hackner. "Two hours! Jesus, how long did they sit on the body before they called us?"

"Apparently they called right away. Seems they only work one person at night. Harris was found by his relief when he came in at nine. It's nine-forty now."

"Where did all these people come from, if they only work one to a shift?" Michaels couldn't see across the room through all the spectators.