There was no reply from the other end, but I could still hear background noise, so I knew she hadn’t hung up.

“Hello?” I said.

“Yes, I’m here,” the assistant replied. “I’m sorry. Where did you say you were calling from again?”

“Saint Louis, Missouri, why?”

“Just curious. Doctor Rieth received a call a year or so back from a police officer in South Carolina regarding a murder investigation.”

My curiosity was immediately piqued. “Really? Do you remember any of the details?”

“No,” she replied. “And, honestly, I really shouldn’t have said anything.”

“That’s okay, I won’t tell,” I replied half jokingly then moved on rather than risk alienating her. “Is there any way I can reach Doctor Rieth? It’s very important.”

“I’m afraid not,” she replied. “She is scheduled to return the Monday after the holiday however.”

I wasn’t excited about the wait, but it was just that time of year, so there was little I could do. I went ahead and asked, “Do you think it would be possible for me to leave a message for the doctor then?”

“Yes sir, I can certainly do that,” she answered. “Which police department are you with again?”

“I’m actually an independent consultant,” I explained then took the truth and wrapped it into an interwoven pretzel before relaying it to her. “I’m currently working with the Greater Saint Louis Major Case Squad.”

It wasn’t a complete lie, but I hoped that the doctor didn’t elect to verify my story because under the current circumstances, I was betting no one would be willing to back me up.

I finished giving her my contact information and bid her a pleasant afternoon before hanging up and pondering what the young woman had just let slip. Hopefully, if and when Doctor Rieth returned my call, she would be willing to share a bit more about what she had consulted on in South Carolina.