Dylan Meserve picked Latigo for the hoax because he hiked up there

I left a message with Erica Weiss’s secretary, saying I wanted to talk aboutPatrick Hauser. Just as I hung up, Miloclicked in.
He sounded exhausted. Probably up all night on Peaty. Maybe that’s why hedidn’t bother with niceties.
“Wendell A. Chong, the guy whose van Peaty ripped off, is a softwareconsultant who used to rent office space in a building owned by the Dowds. Thevan was boosted from his reserved tenant slot at night, while Chong was workinglate. Chong collected insurance, bought himself a new car, has no interest inreclaiming it.”
“Peaty watched and seized the opportunity,” I said. “Chong have anyimpressions of Peaty?”
“Never saw him. Who he does remember is Billy Dowd. He’d always wondered ifBilly had something to do with the theft.”
“Why?”
“Because Billy used to hang around aimlessly when Brad came by to collectrent. One time he drifted into Chong’s office and just stood there, like heowned the place. Chong asked him what he wanted, Billy got a spaced-out look inhis eyes and left without a word. Chong followed Billy out into the hall, sawhim walking up and down, like he was patrolling. A couple of women stepped outof an office and Billy checked them out. Pretty intensely, according to Chong.Then Brad showed up, ushered Billy away. But he kept bringing Billy along, soChong started locking his door. Interesting, huh?”
“Billy and Peaty?” I said.
“Weirdos finding common ground. It happens, right? Brad protects Billy buthe can’t be everywhere. And like you said, he overestimates his power. Maybe hetakes Billy along with him when he checks out the garage at the PlayHouse. Orthe PlayHouse itself. I don’t see Billy getting laid on his own.”
“Billy seemed gentle.”
“Maybe he is,” he said. “Except when he’s not. In any event, I just gotpermission from Vasquez’s D.P.D. to interview his client, on my way over to thejail. I’m betting on a quick plea, maybe involuntary manslaughter. Kinda niceto have one that closes easy.”
“You could name Peaty as the bad guy on Michaela and close that,” I said.
“Yet I wonder aloud about Billy,” he said. “Why? Because I’m aself-destructive fool, no sleep in two days, I’m vulnerable, amigo. Tell me toforget about Billy and I will.”
“Two bad guys could explain how the Gaidelases’ car ended up twenty-fivemiles from Kanan Dume. Billy doesn’t seem street-smart, but Peaty could’vehelped him there. Still, it’s hard to imagine him getting away for any lengthof time. He and Brad seem to be together most of the day and at night there’s aneighbor watching him.”
“The ‘nice lady.’ Wonder how hard she looks. I was supposed to check thatout but with all that’s happened…do you think it’s interesting that the badstuff we know about started after Billy got his own place?”
“If the bad stuff was the product of a sick relationship,” I said, “withPeaty gone, Billy might not act out again.”
“There’s comfort for you.”
“I can drop by and talk to the neighbor.”
“That would be great, I’m tied up with Vasquez all day.” He read off Billy’saddress on Reeves Drive.“Any more problems from that asshole Hauser?”
“Not a one.”
“Good.”
“I’m still wondering about something,” I said.
“Am I going to want to hear this?”
“Dylan Meserve picked Latigo for the hoax because he hiked up there. Whatled the Gaidelases to the same spot?”
“Aha,” he said. “Already been there and back. Maybe Peaty overheard Dylantalking about hiking up there. While the Gaidelases were waiting for theiraudition, they mentioned wanting to hike and Peaty overheard again and gavethem advice.”
“That’s a lot of overhearing.”
“He’s a watcher.”
“Okay,” I said.
“You’re not buying it.”
“What we know about Meserve suggests lack of conscience, or at the least aweak one. Michaela’s description of his behavior those nights bothers me. Mindgames, preoccupation with death, rough sex. I hate to add to your burden but—”
“It’s not my burden. The Gaidelases were never my case.”
A casual acquaintance might’ve bought that.
He said, “Peaty for the girls, Meserve for the Gaidelases? What, that damnedschool was a magnet for homicidal maniacs?”
“Something went on there.”
He laughed. Not a pleasant sound.