I was getting angry. "This isn’t just some joygirl street trash who was murdered, Parminder. This was someone I cared about. Someone I loved. I deserve to know whether or not you’re putting any effort into this—to know what’s going on. I won’t compromise your investigation by blabbing what you tell me around. I’m not some civilian who’s going to blow the conviction for you. Not that you need .. ." I paused to regain my composure. I’d almost lost it—had almost been about to tell Parminder that she was perfectly capable of deliberately fragging up a case on her own. I swallowed my hostility and tried a different tack. "The way I see it, you failed to provide backup when I most needed it, and now you owe me one, partner ." I placed heavy sarcasm on the last word.