It wasn’t Micki’s fault. “No connection between Bastian and Buchner at all?” He was counting on a lead. “But they’re both at the university.” “Yeah,” Micki said. “Along with 43,000 students, nine thousand faculty, and another ten thousand employees.” “I’m not buying it. The gear at Buchner’s house proved a hit was out on Bastian. Bastian ends up dead and Wally follows a little later. There’s got to be something.” Micki sighed over the phone. “You’ve worked with me four years now, Mort. Name one time I missed anything.” Mort apologized a second time. “You’re the best there is, Mack. I know that. It’s just too much of a coincidence.” “I dug deep. Bastian was the chair of Neuroscience. Buchner was a low-level researcher in Audiology. In university circles those are opposite ends of the food chain.” Mort shook his head. “I hear you. Listen, thanks for your work.” He was still staring at the phone when Jim De Villa knocked. “You willing it to ring?”
