It came in at nine twenty-two a.m. It said that a custodian found Saras body at around eight thirty that morning and the police were called. So less than an hour later someone knew she was dead and had details about how she died and where the crime scene was and what she looked like hanging there. And then they sent out a message only to me, as far as I know, that you guys cant trace. Thats pretty damn fast. Hows it working out? What? Someone had been watching, because the door swung open before he could touch the knob. He walked through and was hit immediately with chilly air from the AC. The door was closed behind him. The person didnt look at him and he didnt glance in their direction either. There was no need to. And we dont have to stand in line and get frisked, do we? Everything all right? Stone asked Vanessa. Who knows? Maybe somebodys paying him a little money. Or maybe hes just ambitious. Try this one on. Suppose Gallops came to you about September first and said, There wont be any strike if you put it in writing that you’ll make me Secretary of Labor.’ The womans hand came out of the bag holding something black, and everything seemed to slow down. Stone didnt wait to identify the object; he yanked the 9mm from its holster and began to swing it toward her, thumbing off the safety. The first round would fire double-action, and he made a mental note tohimself to fire a second round, because he was less accurate with double-action. Now he had to wait and either identify the object in her hand or, if he wanted to be sure, fire immediately. On an instinct that had been finely honed to sense trouble, he fired. Would you check on that? So, this conversation is in case somebody shoots the guy, right? Come in, Ed said, and he took them to a comfortable study with a cheerful fire burning and the scent of pinion smoke in the air. Ed poured the drinks, and they all relaxed. That wont work, Krogar said. Naturally, Hamilton Burger said, I didnt have to present my whole case at that time and, Your Honor, in order to show my good faith, I may say that some of these witnesses were discovered after the indictment. She folded her arms over her chest and looked alarmingly judicial.Do you need a lawyer, Travis? I know some good ones. Thats the trouble, Murfin said with a sigh. I cant find anybody who thinks they and Max had anything personal going. Had somebody beaten me here and killed him?Let me go in and check on him. Theres only one way to find out. Thats right. I thought she was going to take it out, so I—.