Evening was catching on. The sun sank in the horizon like it was a pool of fire, casting a deep orange glow over the world.

" What does Lieda Perlmutter do with her life?" Allen asked. He found himself tempted by the prospect of a cigarette. It seemed like it'd fit the setting.

" She moves to Milwaukee and becomes a nurse," Christel said. " Marries a post clerk. Becomes Lieda Hehring. Two children. One dies of spinal meningitis. The other becomes a dentist."

He turned to Allen.

" You don't think it's her, do you?" he asked.

" It doesn't contradict your autopsy findings, does it?"

" Well, no, not directly, but..."

He still looked troubled by the proposition.

" All I need is the reason," Allen said. " And I think I know where to find it."

Return......Next