Why do you believe that? he said earnestly. Articulate? Does that mean a little or nothing at all? Hes back, a womans voice said. Mr. Barrington, can you speak? The symbolic murders that Devine had theorized about were all bullshit distractions. This was all about two things: money and power. But in reality, they were one and the same. She hesitated for a moment, then poured forth the thoughts that were on her mind.Mr. Mason, I never felt so downright cheap in all my life. I did lie to you. I lied to you because... well, when I got home to change my shoes and stockings, Ruth Marvel came over. Shes my closest friend. Her house adjoins mine, and when she saw me drive up in the cab, she came running over to see what was wrong. She knew I had taken my car with me when I left. Theres a sticker on your bumper. If you do, avoid it. Well be busy. Is that right? Where are we going? Viv asked. Thats right, Vullo said. Who? Vullo went back to work on his fingernails again. After a moment or two he stopped gnawing at them, looked up at me, and said,Ill make you a proposition. Now look here, Mason said. You do a lot of work for me, Paul. The things that you do for me are confidential. Im listening..