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genetic. I have no idea if the foundation is a personal thing or just the goodness of her heart.”
    Decker rifled through more papers.
    “Here we go. This is a contact number for Darius Penny at Klineman, Barrows, Purchas and Penny. Darius’s secretary is named Kevin.” That pink slip with the information went to Oliver.
    “Did you tell them what it was about?” Scott asked.
    “Just that it concerned Hobart Penny,” Decker said. “No details. I’m sure they both assume that it has to do with his death—the man was old—but I told them nothing about the murder. Both numbers are two-one-two area code: Manhattan. Whatever you do, be cautious. These types lawyer up when you ask them about the weather.”
    “What do you know about their respective financial situations?” Oliver asked.
    “Nothing.”
    “Okay. I’ll do some digging.”
    Marge said, “What about the ex-wife?”
    Decker said, “Sabrina Talbot lives in Montecito in Santa Barbara County. I Google-mapped the residence and plot. The house is one of those huge Mediterranean things set on lots of acreage. I suppose that you wouldn’t mind driving up to talk to her.”
    “I can handle that.” Marge smiled. “Might you want me to call Will or anyone in SBPD who knows anything about her?”
    “Now there’s a fine idea,” Decker said. “What’s your schedule like tomorrow?”
    “I can leave around eleven.”
    “I’m free,” Oliver said. “I’ll come with you.”
    “Will you now?”
    “I’m good on a road trip.”
    “Oliver, haven’t you heard the old saying about two people versus three.”
    “That is the old saying. The new one goes, two is company, three’s a party.”
    “I’m taking this from a guy who thinks Facebook is a collection of mug shots.”
    “True, I’m old-fashioned when it comes to social networking,” Oliver said. “But when it comes to just plain social, I’m always game.”
    THE CALL CAME in a few hours later. “This is Lieutenant Decker.”
    “Ryan Wilner.”
    “Hello, Agent Wilner, how’s our baby doing?”
    “It was a long night for her. She’s disoriented, but Vignette told me she’s starting to feed, which is a very good sign.”
    “Vignette?”
    “She’s the director of the sanctuary. She wants to talk to you.”
    “Okay.” A momentary pause. “Do you know what it’s about?”
    “Just that she was upset about the old man’s death. Apparently he was a big supporter of the sanctuary, so she knew him well.”
    Decker’s ears perked up. “I’ll give her a call. Do you have her number?”
    Wilner read the digits over the phone. “You should visit the place. She and her staff do a great job.”
    “I just might do that.” He hung up and immediately punched in Vignette’s numbers. It rang twice before it was picked up. There was a lot of static on the line.
    “Global Earth Sanctuary.” The voice was female.
    “Yes, this is Lieutenant Decker from Los Angeles Police. May I please talk to Vignette?”
    “This is Vignette. Thanks for calling me, Lieutenant.” The voice was youthful.
    “No problem,” Decker said. “I’m getting terrible reception.”
    “It’s awful out here. Most of the time, my cell doesn’t even connect. We may get cut off.”
    “Okay. So we’ll take what we have. How can I help you?”
    “It’s about Mr. Penny. I can’t believe he’s gone.”
    “He was eighty-nine.”
    “But so vital.”
    Vital,
Decker thought. The man sounded like a shut-in, butmaybe he had another life that only she knew about. “Did he visit the sanctuary often?”
    “Not often. He didn’t like leaving Tiki alone. I’m sure you understand why.”
    “It would be a problem if the tiger got out.”
    “That wasn’t the issue. Mostly it was because she was so attached to him. She didn’t like it when he was gone.”
    “Did you know the tiger well?”
    “Tiki and I had a healthy respect for each other.”
    “So may I assume that you visited Mr. Penny and Tiki in his