“See anyone you knew out there?”

“No.”

The chief looked over at Kleinsmidt. “Bring the Clutmers in, Bill.”

Kleinsmidt went out through a door that opened on a corridor. I said to the chief, “Now that I’ve answered your questions, perhaps you’ll tell me what this is all about.”

A moment later, the door opened, and the woman who had been in the apartment adjoining Helen Framley’s walked into the room; a step behind her came her husband. They looked as though it had been a hard night. Their eyes were red-rimmed. The muscles on their faces sagged.

The chief said, “You know Mr. and Mrs. Clutmer?”

“I’ve seen them.”

“When did you see them last?”

“Yesterday.”

“What time yesterday?”