He said in an exasperated tone,I didnt do it, Michelle. I talked to the night security guard at the building, and he told the cops no one came in at the time the video of me was on the security film and my security card showed up on the entry log. So the frame would have been worthless. But Cowl didnt know that. Honestly, Mr. Mason, she said, I feel terribly about this. I wouldnt let you down for anything in the world. Well, I felt absolutely certain I could get away with it and that no one would ever know—and then I felt if you were going to have to defend me you could do a better job if you… well, I thought it would perhaps rob you of some of your assurance if … “ Thats right. An old three-story building which has been abandoned for some little time. This company Lutts was with was making a real estate development out of it. Lutts evidently went out there to look it over just before I arrived, and somebody shot him. Sure, I said. Why not? I know.Funny that you know her, and she knows Cowl, and you work with Cowl, too. Another coincidence. Mrs. Doxey got up.We have company, Herbert. Slick, I said. It should mean just a hell of a lot to Slick. Okay, look, I appreciate your time. He turned.Thats what Im paying that uncle of yours to find out. The cops havent come up with any answers and neither has the FBI. So that’s why I hired your uncle, although I sure as shit didn’t know he was your uncle when I hired him. Good point. Stone picked up the house phone and buzzed the butler. Good morning, Geoffrey, he said. “Would you have the Bentley brought around in an hour, please? And let the Bacchettis know were going to London for a couple of days. Thank you.” He hung up. Showalters large head pivoted toward me. He angled himself in the chair so he faced me. Ill be happy to tell you what I told Mr Bradshaw. Hopefully, youll appreciate the fact that I’m just doing my job of investigating. You were an investigator. You know you have to eliminate all the possibilities if you want to do an honest job.’ Somebody shortstopped it, I said. They picked him up off the street, Slick said. Shut up and get on the bike. That was for the generals benefit. Youre coming. You dont believe me. Use special service to do just what you want, send anonymous email. Built-in premier encryption, spoofed IP address, auto deletion from whatever server is used, password protect, no personal info required. Good shit like that. That deputy district attorney got hold of me after court, and told me he didnt like my answers, and that he would have to dismiss the case if I couldnt be more cooperative. So I pushed back my chair, managed to put on quite an act, told him I was entitled to more consideration as a taxpayer, but that as far as I was concerned, he could go ahead and dismiss the case that Id seen enough of his courtroom tactics to know that Perry Mason would tie him up in a knot and make me a laughingstock instead of an aggrieved victim, so I didn’t give a damn. Then I turned and stalked out of the office. I doubt I can save anybody, not even myself..