“Everything,” Kendra repeated. “It looked pristine clean. You were in a big hurry. You probably scooped up everything in sight on the chance that it might incriminate you. Is that right?”

He shrugged. “I admit I wasn’t being overcareful about picking and choosing. I thought better safe than sorry.”

“You don’t remember any individual items?”

He shook his head. “It’s all pretty much of a blur.”

“And where did you put that bag?”

He didn’t answer.

“Believe me, I’m not looking for anything to incriminate you, not for murder or adultery. I just have to examine the contents of that bag and see if you threw anything in it that might help me find Sheila’s killer.”

“And what’s to stop you from turning the entire contents over to the police?” he said sharply. “What kind of position would that put me in?”

“It might put you in the position of helping to find the murderer of the woman who understood you, your kind of woman. Remember.”

He was silent. “She’s dead now. I’m alive.”

“Touching,” Beth said. “A love affair for the ages.”

“I’m a realist,” he said harshly. “It’s not going to help her for me to ruin my life.”

“Okay, suppose I guarantee not to turn the bag over to the police unless I find some evidence that might lead to her killer. And that I promise not to tell anyone the name of the person who removed those items from the houseboat.”

“I wouldn’t believe you.”

“You can believe me. I don’t lie.” She paused. “And the alternative is that I go to the police right now and tell them that you were her lover and you were there the night she was killed. That would start them digging very deep. How long do you think it would take for them to persuade you to tell them where that bag is now.” She looked him in the eyes. “I think I’m your best bet, Schultz.”

He scowled. “Neither one is a good option.”

She waited.

“Okay. I guess you’re right. It’s better to take a chance on you than having the police breathing down my neck.”

“So where is it?”

“I don’t have it. I tossed it that night.”

“Tossed it where?” Kendra asked.

“I got in my car and just drove. I was pretty messed up. I kept seeing her on the mast and all that blood…”

“Where did you end up?”

“I went to Mission Trails Park outside the city. I used to hike there sometimes. I thought I might bury the bag, or maybe weigh it down and throw it into the lake.”

“You thought you might,” Beth said. “What happened?”

“I drove out there, and I got turned around pretty quickly. It was dark, and the roads looked nothing like they do during the day. I was looking for a place to pull over, but then I was aware of a car behind me, about fifty yards back. Its running lights were on, but the headlights were off.”

“Following you?” Kendra asked.

“That’s how it looked. No matter how fast or slow I went, it was always right there.”

“Did you think it might have been Sheila’s killer?” Beth asked.

Schultz waited for an elderly couple to pass by them before he answered, “It crossed my mind. All I could think about was what that murderer had done to Sheila. I was nervous as hell. But the more I thought about it, the less likely it seemed. There’s no way I was followed all the way from downtown. I would have seen it earlier.”

“So this car continued to follow you with the headlights off?”

Schultz nodded. “And like I said, it was dark. I was having a tough time navigating all those twists and turns with my headlights on. Then I began to think it was a park ranger or maybe a cop. The last thing I needed was to get stopped and caught with a bagful of stuff from my murdered girlfriend’s home.”

“So what did you do?”

“I waited for a curve in the road and chucked it out the window off a hillside. That way, even if I got stopped, I wouldn’t get caught with it. I turned off my own lights when I made the toss, so I was pretty sure I wouldn’t be seen doing it.”

“And what happened then?”

“I left as quick as I could. I lost sight of the car right after I left the park grounds. I’m guessing it was probably a ranger patrol. I think they were hanging back, trying to see what the hell I was doing there. If I had stopped, they might have gotten in my face. But since I just kept going and exited the park, they didn’t bother me.”

Kendra nodded. “Maybe. You never went back for the bag?”

“At first, that was my plan, but no. It’s a fairly desolate area, far from the major hiking trails. And if it’s ever found out there, I don’t think there’s anything that can necessarily be traced back to Sheila. Or me. I was mainly concerned with its being found in her houseboat.”

Kendra leaned toward him. “You have to be able to tell us about at least some of the things you removed from the houseboat.”

He thought for a moment. “There were ticket stubs for a few concerts we saw together. I removed gifts I’d given her. Things I’d charged that might be traced back to me. A necklace, a couple bracelets. Several objects I’d given her.”

“What kind of objects?” Beth asked.

“Figurines. Little statues. She loved little ceramic shoes. I travel overseas a lot, so I’d buy her things that I’d see.” He thought for another moment. “I also cleared out the few pieces of clothing I had there, along with my toiletries.”

Kendra nodded. “Guerlain Homme deodorant spray. Creed Green Irish Tweed cologne. Neroli Portofino bar soap.”

He stared at her in amazement. “Yes.”

“You took them away, but the odors remained. You’re wearing the same deodorant and cologne today.”

“Amazing,” he said.

“The cologne is especially nice. I understand George Clooney also wears that.”

“I wouldn’t know.”

“So you dumped it all?”

“No, the clothes are still in my car. I stuffed the toiletries and the other stuff in a black laundry bag. I had a hard time remembering what I bought her and what was already hers, so if there was doubt, I just scooped it up. Like I said, I was just out of my mind that night.” He made a cutting gesture with his hand. “That’s it. No more. I’m through.”

“Not quite,” Kendra said. “I need one more thing from you.”

“I think I’ve done a lot for you already. My lawyer would say too much.”

“No, lawyers prefer not to deal with the police if at all possible. I’m much easier.” She paused. “But I need you to go with us and help us find the bag.”

His reply was immediate and incredulous. “No way in hell.”

“I wouldn’t ask if wasn’t necessary to help find Sheila’s killer.”

“Why is it necessary? How can it possibly help you find Sheila’s murderer?”

“I’m afraid I can’t discuss that at the moment.”

“After everything I’ve just shared with you?”

“Unwillingly shared. You’re the CEO of a corporation that owns newspapers, television stations, and some of the most popular news Web sites in the world. And just a few days ago, one of those sites held me up for public ridicule and raked me over the coals. That story was written by the woman with whom you claim to have shared your values.” She shook her head. “Pardon me if I don’t trust you with sensitive information relating to an active homicide investigation.”

Schultz opened his mouth to reply, then closed it again. He managed a faint smile. “Point taken.”

“So you’ll help us?”

He checked his watch. “No, I’m catching a plane for Houston in less than two hours.”

“Postpone your trip.”

“I can’t do that.”

“You mean you won’t.”

“I can’t, and I won’t. That about covers it. I’ve told you enough, and I won’t run the risk of being caught scrambling over those hills with you. I already avoided that once. I’m not going to go for a replay.” He met her eyes. “But I can tell you exactly where I dumped it.”

“Where?”

“Not unless you promise me that you won’t go until after dark, when you at least have a chance of not being seen.”