Decker said, “Thanks for your time, Ms. Milligan-”

“You may skip the pleasantries.”

There was an awkward moment of silence. The rudeness kicked in his professionalism.

He stood. “Okay, ma’am. Then just tell me why a multibillion-dollar company like VerHauten felt threatened by Arik Yalom’s meager holding in African diamond mines.”

Milligan’s eyes became hot blue flames.

Decker smiled. “You can start anytime you want, Ms. Milligan.”

A slow smile spread across Milligan’s lips. She leaned against her desk, placing a hand on her jutting hip. “Are you serious?”

Decker said, “Yes.”

Milligan straightened her spine, crossing her arms in front of her chest. “I don’t answer absurdities.”

“We have records of your correspondence with Mr. Yalom,” Marge added.

“Then you have records of a deranged man sending VerHauten his incoherent ramblings.”

“Why’d you bother answering them?” Decker asked.

“VerHauten answers all its correspondence, deranged or otherwise.”

“That’s not what I asked, Ms. Milligan,” Decker said. “I asked why you, personally, bothered answering them.”

“His correspondence was sent to my division-”

“And you answer all correspondence directed to your division?”

Milligan bit a coral, bee-stung lower lip, but her eyes never wavered from his face. Decker had faced many an ice-water-veined felon, but her stare went right through his spine. He dropped his voice a notch.

“When you surmised the nature of his business, why didn’t you immediately forward his letters to VerHauten’s attorneys? Correct me if I’m wrong, but you had already been moved out of the legal department by then.”

“You seem to know a great deal about me.” Milligan let her arms drop at her sides. “Why the interest?”

“I’m interested specifically in your business with Arik Yalom. When you realized that Yalom was a quote-unquote deranged man, why didn’t you forward his correspondence to VerHauten’s attorneys?”

“Because they are busy individuals, not to be bothered by cranks and fools.”

“VerHauten’s attorneys are on retainers and are paid handsomely to deal with cranks and fools. I would think you, on the other hand, a one-of-a-kind, highly valued employee would have better ways to spend your time.”

Marge found her voice and broke in. “Look, Ms. Milligan, Sergeant Decker and I are working very hard, trying to investigate this double homicide. We’re not out to give anyone grief. So let’s work together.”

“If for no other reason than you’ll get rid of us faster,” Decker added.

No one spoke for a moment. Then Decker noticed that Milligan seemed frozen in position. He said, “You didn’t know?”

Milligan stiffly shook her head.

Decker said, “Arik Yalom and his wife, Dalia, were found murdered a couple of days ago.”

Marge said, “It was extensively covered on television and in the newspapers. I’m surprised you didn’t hear-”

“When was this?”

“It was two days ago,” Decker said. “We’ve started going through Mr. Yalom’s affairs and found your letters. Tell me about them. What was Yalom onto?”

“Nothing as far as I could ascertain. Nothing that anyone would want to…murder for. My God, that’s…this is surreal.”

Decker said, “Mr. Yalom had some holdings in African diamond mines. What do you know about them?”

Milligan dropped into her desk chair and stared out the window.

Decker said, “Are you all right, Ms. Milligan? Do you need some water?”

“Nothing,” she whispered.

They gave her a minute to get over the shock. Then Marge said, “Beautiful view. Especially on a bright, sunny day like today.”

Milligan continued looking out the window. “I hadn’t heard about Yalom. I’ve been rather preoccupied with my own affairs. This seems very tragic.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Decker said.

“So why are you interviewing me?”

Marge said, “You two exchanged angry letters. You want to tell us about them?”

“What is there to tell? The man was delusional.”

“How so?” Decker asked.

Milligan said, “Allegedly, he owned land that was supposedly rich in diamonds. He wanted a joint venture with VerHauten and they weren’t interested. Mr. Yalom wouldn’t take no for an answer.” She looked down. “I can’t believe someone actually murdered him.”

“And his wife,” Marge said. “Do you know if he was involved with anyone-business or otherwise?”

“I only know he wasn’t involved with VerHauten.” Milligan took her eyes from the window. “I don’t know anything about the man except that he had grandiose ideas.” She stood. “Anything else?”

“Ms. Milligan, why did you deal directly with Mr. Yalom?”

“A grave error on my part.” She laughed but it lacked mirth. “I answered Arik’s correspondence directly because the man had a sterling reputation as a player in the secondary market. As a top employee of VerHauten, I was very conscientious about the company’s image. They don’t look kindly on top-rated dealers bad-mouthing the company. They try to appease before setting on their barristers.”

“A billion-dollar company like VerHauten actually gives a hoot about one lone salesman?” Marge asked.

“Yes. Despite what you’ve heard, VerHauten is very much a family business.”

“Mr. VerHauten is personally involved in the day-to-day activities?” Marge asked.

“VerHauten’s the company’s name,” Decker said. “Thaddeus Whitman is the chairman of the board. Sir Thaddeus Whitman, isn’t it?”

Again, Milligan, bit her lip. “Very good. Sir Thaddeus is VerHauten. And he doesn’t like slights, no matter who gives them.” She leaned forward and rested her elbows on the desk. “These people are very…gossipy. Very clannish.”

These people. Meaning Jews? Because most diamond dealers were Jews. Decker asked, “Which people?”

Milligan’s eyes went to his face. They betrayed nothing. “Diamond dealers are a very closed-minded lot. But they’re jolly good at what they do. No one’s debating that, least of all Sir Thaddeus. The company needs them to process and sell its raw stones through America. Not that VerHauten puts up with renegades. But Yalom’s reputation, according to the IADD and word of mouth, was beyond reproach.”

“What’s the IADD?” Marge asked.

“International Association of Diamond Dealers.” Milligan looked absently at her desktop. “VerHauten had had direct dealings with Yalom in the past with no problems.”

“Overseas dealings?”

“Pardon?”

Decker said, “VerHauten isn’t allowed to do business in the States, correct?”

“Yes, correct.”

“So their dealings with Yalom. They were overseas dealings?”

“Of course.”

Marge asked, “What kind of dealings? I thought he wasn’t considered a major player. He didn’t warrant a box, did he?”

“Of course not!” Milligan smiled. “You two have done some homework.”

Decker said, “So as a buyer, Yalom was small.”

“As a buyer, Yalom was a flea,” Milligan stated. “But as a cutter…he was on our list.”

“List?” Marge asked.

“Every so often VerHauten unearths a particular stone with the potential to become a world treasure-if it’s cut correctly. It takes a very special cutter to look inside the stone-”

“Cut a window?” Decker said.

Milligan smiled. “Yes, Sergeant. They cut a window to try to determine how the grain runs. But that’s not enough-not nearly enough. Computer enhancement helps, but it still boils down to human experience, judgment, and just plain talent. One wrong move and a stone can be shattered. VerHauten has a list of preapproved exceptional cutters and Arik was on that list. He had done fine-exceptionally fine-work in the past. That’s why we…that’s why I was taken aback by the vehemence of Yalom’s accusations. I’d maintained good relationships with the man, found him quite sane actually.”

Marge said, “And you’re telling us that VerHauten wasn’t interested in Yalom’s land and mining company holdings?”