Martin got the initial report in, woman dousing herself and younger child with gasoline, setting a fire in the bathtub, older child gets away.

Who could stand to take leave of the world in such a manner? Paroxysms of sheer hurt.

Manning the phone lines (not that it would find itself in print per se) he was told by one confidential source at the hospital where she worked that a recent malady with her breast had been revealed, although oncologists expressed hope.

Martin noticed something about her maiden name. He looked at the clock and let precisely five minutes pass. Then he dialed Mac's boarding house.