Ransom X

“Aren’t you going to try this key? It could put a killer in jail tonight.”

  “Nothing in the killer’s world changes by my waiting for morning, my daughter expects me home at six.”

  Legacy took another step, Wagner’s shoulders rolled forward in defeat. Legacy paused outside the door, his voice echoed from the hall.

  “Come in early, read everything in the case file, I’ll be in at nine and you can tell me whether the key is going to fit, in your opinion. Until you know everything about the case, the solution is just another answer in a sea of questions.”

  Wagner heard Legacy’s footsteps trail off over the concrete floors of the substructure. She walked slowly over to the desk and spread her arms in a pose of victory. She plugged the cassette player back in and, at the same moment, a stab of melodic perfection erupted from the speakers. It was like the tape was responding to her personal breakthrough, and it was gorgeous.

  She flipped out her cell phone.

  At the sound of a connection she spoke, “I’m in.”

  The beauty of the tune pouring from the player collapsed into sour dissonance.