“I haven’t a clue, actually, other than imaging it has something or other to do with the American musical duo, Simon and Garfunkel,” he said while further mussing his hair.

“You are correct so far, doctor.”

“And it’s obvious you’re smelling something a little off.” added Dodson.

“Right again,” Jones said, encouraging his friend further “Anything else?”

“You think there are more answers to be had in America and presume to implicate me in this somehow.”

“Exactly!”

Jones let the exclamation hang in the air for the appropriate moment before continuing.

“These are three very astute observations, my dear Dodson. It makes me wonder, what don’t you know.”

Only his friend’s first assumption took any great intuition. Jones just understood pride is the Devil’s fulcrum, and praise his favorite lever. Properly applied, no man proves immovable.

“What I don’t know,” he answered. “Is what do you expect to gain by poking around in this?”

“The same motivation as ever, doctor,” Jones answered, smiling, shining aloof.

A brief moment passed. Dodson smiled.

“So, it’s fame and fortune, is it?” he asked.

The smile Jones held attempted to run away from his face. Then he erupted in a short burst of laughter.

“Hah!… Hah!”

Jones did not expect the cut up. Fame and fortune was reference to an inside joke. As a moment inviting an occasion to revisit pleasant memories, it faded too fast.

Dodson tried to re-establish his gruffness, rising to pour another cup of coffee,

“Even if there were any value in solving this matter, Jude,” he said. “ I don’t see the benefit in my involvement.”

Jones felt the line tighten. Time now to begin reeling in his prize.

“Don’t sell yourself short doctor. You are a valuable person”

“This is not what I meant,” Dodson rebutted fiercely

“Of course, you didn’t. I meant to me, Horace. I meant that you were valuable to me,” Jones said. “You’ve been instrumental in any number of cases. Take for instance that fellow that ran amuck out in Lancaster several years back?”