“Will it get me the folder?”

“It will give me grounds to ask for it under oath.” She put her glasses back on.

“Which beats asking nicely in a hallway.”

Hale’s car was the only one in the annex lot with its engine running.

He had the file flat on the roof and his brass pen out, tapping the ring of his notebook.

“Stand on this side of the car,” he said.

“Don’t stand out in front of anybody.”