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Bubbles in Montebello, which you probably heard was closed down last July. She had a penchant for the places where the high rollers hung out.”
    â€œDid her
mother
know this?”
    â€œSure she did. Absolutely. Lorna was even picked up once on a misdemeanor for soliciting an undercover vice officer at Bubbles. We didn’t want to rub her mother’s nose in the fact, but she was certainly informed.”
    â€œMaybe it’s just beginning to sink in,” I said. “Someone sent her a copy of a pornographic film in which Lorna loomed large. Apparently that’s what prompted her to come see me. She thinks Lorna was either blackmailed into it or working undercover.”
    â€œOh, yeah, right,” he said.
    â€œI’m just telling you her assumption.”
    Cheney snorted. “She’s in denial big time. Have you actually seen this tape?”
    â€œI just saw it tonight. It was pretty raunchy.”
    â€œYeah, well, I’m not sure how much difference it makes. The kind of stuff she was into, it really doesn’t surprise me. How’s it supposed to tie in? That’s the part I don’t get.”
    â€œJanice thinks Lorna was about to blow the whistle on someone.”
    â€œOh, man, that lady’s seen too many bad TV movies. Blow the whistle on who, and for what? Those people are legitimate . . . in some sense of the word. They’re probably scumbags, but that’s not against the law in this state. Look at all the politicians.”
    â€œThat’s what I told her. Anyway, I’m trying to figureout if there’s enough to warrant my taking on the job. If you guys couldn’t come up with anything, how can I?”
    â€œMaybe you’ll get lucky. I’m one of life’s eternal optimists. Case is still open, but we ain’t had jackshit for months. You want to look at the files, it can probably be arranged.”
    â€œThat’d be great. What I’d really like to see are the crime scene photographs.”
    â€œI’ll try to clear it with Lieutenant Dolan, but I don’t think he’ll object. You heard he’s in the hospital? He had a heart attack.”
    I was so startled, I put a hand to my own heart, nearly knocking my glass over in the process. I caught it before it tipped, though a little wave of wine slopped out. “Dolan had a heart attack? That’s awful! When was this?”
    â€œYesterday, right after squad meeting, he started having chest pains. Like boom, he’s in trouble. Guy looks like shit, and he’s short of breath. Next thing I know he’s out like a light. Everybody scrambling around, doing CPR. Paramedics pulled him back from the brink, but it was really touch-and-go.”
    â€œIs he going to be okay?”
    â€œWe hope so. He’s doing fine, last I heard. He’s over at St. Terry’s in the cardiac care unit, raising hell, of course.”
    â€œSounds like him. I’ll try to get over there first chance I have.”
    â€œHe’d like that. You should do it. I talked to him this morning, and the guy’s going nuts. Claims he doesn’t like to sleep because he’s scared he won’t wake up.”
    â€œHe admitted that? I never knew Lieutenant Dolan to talk about anything personal,” I said.
    â€œHe’s changed. He’s a new man. It’s amazing,” he said.“You ought to see for yourself. He’d be thrilled at the company, probably talk your ear off.”
    I shifted the subject back to Lorna Kepler. “What about you? Do you have a theory about Lorna’s death?”
    Cheney shrugged. “I think somebody killed her, if that’s what you’re after. Rough trade, jealous boyfriend. Maybe some other hooker thought Lorna was treading on her turf. Lorna Kepler loved risk. She’s the kind who liked to teeter right out on the edge.”
    â€œShe have enemies?”
    â€œNot as far as we know. Oddly