Like a layer of snow (though the persistent cold is debilitating, the snow, ice and sunshine sure are purdy) obscures the details of what lies below, rendering only indistinct outlines, so does the gag order in the Michael Jackson case yield indistinct but potentially fascinating lumps:

Sheriff's investigators from Santa Barbara County, where Jackson's case is unfolding, searched the Calabasas residence of Marc Schaffel between 3 and 4 in the afternoon on Saturday, said John Caffrey, a deputy with the Los Angeles County sheriff's department. The home is in Los Angeles County.

Schaffel, who produced Jackson's song "What More Can I Give" two years ago, was not at home during the search, "Entertainment Tonight" reported on its Web site.

....Santa Barbara County sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Chris Pappas declined to say whether a search warrant was executed, citing a gag order issued in the case. [AP]

So, with the gag order in place, we have no idea what they were looking for. Is it something they think Jackson stashed with the producer, with whom he worked two years ago on the "What More Can I Give" charity single? And what of the timing? Does this have anything to do with the publication of the Vanity Fair story? Was he an unnamed source?