Page 134 of The Midnight Lock (Lincoln Rhyme 14)

“This is top secret. I’m only telling you be—”

“Publisher. Or jail.”

“First Amendment.”

Sachs said, “Publisher or jail.”

The disgusted look was memorable. He then said, “Allen-Drews Publishing.”

“Editor?”

Sighing, he gave the name.

“Number too.”

She called and the man answered. She identified herself. “Sheldon Gibbons was at a crime scene and I’d like to confirm that he’s under contract to publish a book with you about Joanna Whittaker.”

“Well, that’s right. Is something wrong?” the editor asked.

“No, I just needed to confirm that he had a valid reason to be at the scene.”

“If it had to do with Joanna Whittaker, then yes.”

“Thank you.”

They disconnected.

“So, cuffs off?”

“Writing a book doesn’t make you not-the-Locksmith. Give me an alibi for one of the intrusions.” She gave him the dates and times of the Talese and the Noelle break-ins.

“Home, I’m sure. You can call my wife. We just had twins and I’m up with them a lot at night. And there’s a doorman.”

Sachs got the number and called. The conversation she had with the woman was pretty much what she’d expected. The wife confirmed his presence, with the duet of crying in the background lending credence. Sachs did most of the talking, largely reassuring the woman that her husband was not in any trouble or danger.

She disconnected. “Turn around.”

Freed, he rubbed his wrists as she re-holstered the chrome cuffs and looked around. He smiled coyly. “So I’m guessing this isn’ttoofar from Averell Whittaker’s place, where he’s hiding.”

Sachs scoffed, flagging that his effort was a waste of time. “I only came this way, to the warehouse, so we could have this little chat.”

“Can I interview you for my book?”

“No.”

“Do you ever say, ‘Yes’? Or, ‘I’d be happy to help you out’?”

“Neither.”

“Might raise your profile.”

Considering that profile upping was the last thing she wanted to do—in light of the edict that Lincoln Rhyme was forbidden from investigating cases—she hit him with another negative.

“On deep background. No names. Can you tell me what Whittaker said about his niece trying to kill him?”

“Have a good day, Gibbons.”

As he started away, a thought occurred. She said, “Wait.”