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“MAX experienced another sex change just three days ago,” Sherlock said from the doorway, a wet washcloth in her hand. She daubed at her forehead, but she was smiling. “It’s happened twice since I’ve known Dillon.”

“I might have thought it meant MAX didn’t know how to relate to her,” Savich said. “That he was trying to make an accommodation since he knew she was here to stay. But the fact is he’s gone back and forth now for about four years.”

Ramsey said simply, “Molly and I both appreciate your help.”

“We know that, Ramsey.” He smiled up at his wife. “You okay, Sherlock?”

She nodded. “Just a brief brush with the devil.” She turned to Molly. “That’s what Dillon calls it every time I’m sick. Now, we’ll put every scrap of information we can get our hands on into MAXINE and see what she comes up with.” She saw that Molly didn’t understand. “Dillon is the chief of the Criminal Apprehension Unit or CAU at the FBI. We don’t do profiling, but we work with the profilers and with local law enforcement to catch serial killers. We use a number of programs that Dillon’s developed. We plug in all the information we can get our hands on, including everything from the local police, the forensic reports, the autopsy reports, witness statements, you name it. MAXINE isn’t better at figuring things out than real people, but he or she, depending on the month, is faster and looks at the data in many different ways. In just the first year, we solved six cases along with the local cops. We think we can apply that experience to help us catch this monster.”

Savich said, “Ramsey, I’ll speak to Agent Anchor and get all the reports on the cabin where Emma was kept. There’s bound to be some physical evidence left. I’ll get MAXINE to work on child molesters who have an M.O. using disguises.”

Ramsey said, “Emma said he smoked, had bad teeth, and drank. Once when she was coming out of a nightmare, she remembered he’d said that he needed her more than God needed him.”

Molly said, “He also used twine to tie her up.” She swallowed and looked down. “He used twine because she was just a little girl.”

“That’s a start,” Savich said.

Sherlock patted Molly’s shoulder as she said, “Dillon and I took a week’s vacation. We’re at your command.”

“I already told them,” Savich said, pulling her down onto his lap. “They haven’t applauded just yet, but when they see what we can do, they’ll do handsprings. I’ll also speak to the police in Denver. We can add stuff from forensics from the explosion. Sherlock can help us by translating what you know into data for MAXINE.”

“Then we push a button and MAXINE becomes the brightest Cuisinart on the planet,” Sherlock said. “While Dillon talks to the cops, why don’t we make a list of all the things you guys can remember.

“Where,” Sherlock began, “do you think Louey Santera planned to go if he did manage to get the Mercedes off the estate?”

“Nowhere,” Molly said. “He hadn’t thought that far ahead. He was scared and he lost it. He did that sometimes.”

“This time it was fatal,” Ramsey said. “Poor bastard.”

“Not a poor bastard if he was the one who staged Emma’s kidnapping,” Molly said, her voice hard. “How will we prove it if he was behind it?”

“Follow the money,” Savich said. “I’ll get a warrant to search through all Santera’s financial records. There’s always something there, always.”

“You don’t need a warrant. I’ll get the records.” Mason Lord stood in the kitchen doorway, Gunther standing right behind his right shoulder.

“I’d just as soon you didn’t do anything, Mr. Lord,” Savich said. “It’s our job. Let us do it on the up and up. Admittedly it takes a bit longer. On the other hand, it’s legal. There are advantages to being really legal in this situation.”

Mason said, “I know Louey’s accountant. I will speak personally with him. Warren will plead to tell me everything he knows, to show me every record he’s ever entered. Warren has always been useful and informative.”

“You know,” Sherlock said slowly, eyeing Mason Lord, wondering how he could be so utterly different from her own father