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expects to see in a financial advisor’s office.”
    “Oh, but you’re wrong! You see, God rewards those who seek the right path.”
    I didn’t see. “I’m investigating the murder of Charles Snook, and I was told he had done some work for you.”
    Suddenly, the beaming face of confidence turned pale. She closed her eyes and took several deep breaths. “When I heard the news and saw his name—I assumed there could only be one Snooky.” Her voice wavered. “He helped me with my tax return. That was last February. How did you know?”
    “Audrey, the daughter of a professor—”
    “Jerry’s daughter. I didn’t know she was in town.”
    “Just curious. Why would you need Snooky’s help?”
    “I’m not a tax expert.”
    “Had you seen Snooky since February?”
    “We had breakfast Friday morning.”
    “Did you talk about taxes or was this a social call?”
    “He was very personable and intelligent, so it was hard not to talk about other things.”
    We took turns glancing at each other and then looking away until I said, “You knew why I was coming over, right?”
    “You told me on the phone. Why are you asking?”
    “When I first walked in, you were businesswoman of the year. I mention Snooky and you’re shell-shocked.”
    “I have to put aside personal emotions when explaining my occupation. Everyone has the potential to need financial counseling.”
    “You thought I was an impoverished graduate student?”
    “Well, no,” she said and started rubbing the back of her neck. “I don’t limit myself to students. I’m glad to talk to anyone.”
    “I’m glad I left my checkbook at home.” She didn’t laugh. “Were you and Snookymore than friends?”
    Linda Conway stood and walked to the window overlooking a construction site for new graduate housing. “Charles—I mean Snooky—was a wonderful person. He had a tremendous curiosity about spiritual prosperity. Long after my taxes were finished, he continued stopping by. We’d go out to lunch or to the opera. We felt great intimacy toward each other.”
    “What time did Friday morning’s breakfast end?”
    “About nine-thirty. I was to be a guest speaker at a graduate seminar at ten.”
    “Did he give you a reason for being down here other than to see you?”
    “He always said he was here on business. I just assumed he had clients in this area.”
    “What about Friday morning? Did he mention anybody he was seeing that morning?”
    Conway walked back to her desk but didn’t sit. She began arranging paper clips with her index finger. Without looking up, she said, “He never mentioned names. He just made references—someone involved with city government or something to do with real estate. He had his briefcase with him on Friday, so I assumed he was in the area on business. But these were asides. Our time together was of a more personal nature.”
    “Did he confide in you?”
    “What do you mean?”
    “People who feel great intimacy often confide in each other.”
    She looked away and said, “I told you he didn’t use names. We didn’t betray confidences. It was much too risky—”
    “So you knew he laundered money?”
    “I knew no such thing!”
    “Then what was risky?”
    “We both worked with other people’s money, Mr. Landau. Money is confidential by nature. And I don’t appreciate what you’re implying.”
    “Snooky watched me grow up. He helped me become a man.”
    Conway sat back down. “His loss must bring you great pain.”
    “I need to know as much as possible about the people he associated with.”
    Conway hesitated and then said, “But we must find space to be thankful for the time we did have with him. I even thanked Jerry for recommending Snooky, thus bringing him into my life—”
    “Audrey’s dad recommended Snooky to you?”
    “This surprises you?”
    I dialed it back down. “I just thought it was the other way around. Are you sure he introduced you?”
    “Of course. I had inherited some rental property