The sun was high over White Avenue.  Kima leaned on her Acura and took
a bite of her bagel.  She had stopped at a little bakery for breakfast
on her way to the bank.  While Hofstee was off hunting down Meidan,
Kima was going to run her own little investigation of the recent
murder.  She had come back to interview a woman who was working in
accounts with the deceased and to have another look around in
general.  The general looking around was already paying off.

Across the street she spied a most conspicuous character.  Although
the weather was nice and the sun was high, he was dressed all in
black, with a trench coat buttoned all the way down, leather gloves,
sunglasses and a fedora.  He moved quickly and seemed too look
nervously about as if trying to avoid being noticed.  It wasn't
working, though, as everyone on the block was watching him, including
the baker who had come to the window to see what was going on.  With
one last check over his shoulder he snuck up the stairs to the bank.
Kima stuffed the rest of the bagel in her mouth and rushed across the
street so as not to miss any of the show.

Inside the bank Stras immediately noticed the two security guards and
his hands started to shake.  He approached the man at the security
desk.  He looked around one more time, went over his story in his head
again, then spoke in a whisper.

"I was in here last week to see my good friend Zander.  I had arranged
to come see him today.  He had a book he was going to lend me,
biography of the great scientist Richard Feynman.  I was wondering if
I could see him."

"No," said Tamka bluntly. "Zander is dead."

"Oh, that's too bad," said Stras, faking remorse. "Maybe he left the
book on his desk for me, could I look around his office?"

Kima had a hard time suppressing laughter.  She browsed pamphlets
about mortgages and CD rates while she eavesdropped.

"No," answered Tamka, "I don't think you should." He glanced towards
the accounts office.

That's all Stras needed.  He followed Tamka's glance and noticed
Zander's name on the plate beside the door. "Oh, I'd really like to
get that book," he said as he headed for the office.  Tamka made a
move to stop him, but he dodged it and rushed into the other room.

A startled Gsytam looked up as Stras rushed in and started rummaging
through the boxes that were now packed with Zander's belongings.

Tamka rushed in and shouted, "Stop!" When that didn't work he went
back out to get a security guard.

Stras found a copy of `Genius.' He would have liked to have found the
Led Zeppelin set, too, but he realized that his time was running out.
He pushed the box aside and dashed for the door.  Before the security
guards knew what was happening, he was past Tamka and almost to the
main entrance.

Almost.  Kima's fist landed squarely on his chin.  Stras howled in
pain and slumped to the floor.

"Dumb glass jaw," muttered Kima as she got out her handcuffs.  She
hadn't meant to knock him out - now she'd have to carry him back to
the car.

"Thank you, Ma'am," said Tamka as he brought the security guards over.

"GHPD," Kima said, showing her fake badge. "I've got everything under
control.  Thanks for your help."

"Oh yes, of course." Tamka sent the security guard back to his chair.

"We've been looking for this guy," Kima said to reassure Tamka.  She
hauled Stras up to his knees and slapped him on the face.  He didn't
come to, so she undid the cuffs, handcuffed him in front, lifted him
to his feet and picked him up on her shoulder. "Could you get the
door?" she asked Tamka.

Tamka was impressed.  He watched in amazement as Kima went down the
steps, crossed the street, unlocked the car and opened the door, all
the time with Stras bent over her shoulder.

Kima dumped Stras face down in the back seat and cuffed him behind the
back again, just in case he woke up en route.  She searched him and
first found the Gleick book he had stuffed in his coat, then his
wallet, a set of keys and an envelope.  Putting those in the front
seat, she stuffed the rest of Stras in the car and got in.

Kima checked her watch.  She opened Stras' wallet and found a driver's
license that identified him as Stras, and a business card that
identified him as Spade, P.I.  In the envelope she found several
pages of information about Zander and his murder, along with Zander's
business card and photograph.

She looked at the book. `Genius,' it said on the front cover.  She was
flattered.  Inside the front cover the book was stamped, "Drake Hotel,
Chicago." On the facing page was a hand written note.  "Over the hills
and far away," it said.  She quickly flipped through the book but
didn't find anything of note.  After reading "About The Author," she
put Stras' things on the passenger seat and started the car.

Half way back to the hotel Stras regained consciousness.

"What's going on?  Let me go!" he screamed.  He started writhing
about and kicking in an attempt to sit up.

"Settle down back there.  Don't make me stop this car, young man,"
said Kima angrily.  She took the gun out of her shoulder holster and
put it on the dash, making sure that Stras could see it.

Stras settled down. "Where are you taking me?" he demanded.

"Never Never Land," joked Kima. "Maybe you can tell me why you're so
interested in Zander and why you stole this book, and if I like your
answer, then I can just take you home instead."

"That's none of your business." Stras tried to sound tough, even
though he was face down in the back seat with handcuffs on.

"Excellent," said Kima.  "I was hoping you wouldn't cooperate."