Chapter 17 Are you serious? he shouted back. And you sat in the car? I wouldnt quite yet, Mason told him. Then lets go, Stone said. He and Eagle stood up; the women seemed to think they werent invited. The problem, Ted said, is that Roger here wont let me wear my black sweater, remember? And hes practically written out a script.’ He gave ‘Roger’ the kind of emphasis normally reserved for something brown the dog left on the floor. Mason said, That would be a pretty good indication the murderer had gone that way, Della. I dont know Wade that well — nobody does except his wife — but my sense of things is that hes just waiting for Showalter to screw up. Then the jobll be his.’ That, Your Honor, not only constitutes unprofessional conduct, but its the strongest declaration of guilt we could possibly have because it shows that even at that time, the defendant knew she was going to be questioned about this trip and participated in arrangements to trap the law enforcement officers. The lawyer took a deep breath, said more calmly,People are watching us. Nod your head as though the contents of that letter were just what you expected. Got it, Stone said. When I hit the main county highway, I was really in a panic. I would have gone in any direction, taking the first car that came along. But as it happened, I was in luck. A taxicab was coming toward town. Evidently, it had been out to the country club and was running back empty. I saw it coming when I was still a little way from the road and I started waving. The driver saw me and pulled right off to the side of the road, and then he came down and picked me up. Stone was conscious of somebody silently entering the room. He cut a glance and saw Dino leaning on the door. What protection have I got? the sheriff asked angrily. Shoemaker gave his partner a nervous glance, one that showed he was no longer fully in control of the situation. His partner seemed to read this like a cue card. I was too busy trying not to get killed. You first, Dino said. Ill back you up. Whats up, Helen? Im familiar with two of them: yours and that of Randall Carver..