Fine. Krogar hung up. Stone and Dino helped him to his feet, sat him down in a chair, and pulled his jacket off his shoulders. But do you have proof of that? she said. The key worked and he slid the drawer open. There was a mass of papers in here and some colored files. He moved them out of the way to see if perhaps the phone had slipped down to the bottom when he saw the red file. He slowly pulled it out. Thats right. The dog heard a quarrel. He knew his master was in danger, and then he heard the shot. Naturally he wanted to get out to protect his master. Heres my plan, Dino said. Youve still got your honorary detectives badge, right? A young woman entered the room, also in scrubs.Okay, wheres my patient? I thought about where Vullo might find himself another Max Quane and then I had an idea. But before I could tell him about it his secretary came in with the check. She handed it to Vullo who scrawled his name on it and then moved it across his huge desk to Murfin who signed with something of a flourish and handed it to me. I looked at it, saw that it was for five thousand dollars, and put it in my pocket. Thats right — with the understanding, of course, that my wife had one weapon in her glove compartment. She had told me she was taking one. Mason measured the man with his eyes, brushed the belligerancy aside with a disarming smile, and said good-naturedly,Pete, youre not only lying but youre making an awful job of it. It doesnt come natural to you. Then what? She had been a wonderful, caring person. But everyone had their dark, unspoken side, of which no one else, not even close friends and family, was aware. Two hours later, Mason, Della Street and Paul Drake faced a crestfallen detective across Masons desk. Now, wait a minute, Harlan insisted. Weve all got a problem to consider. We— It never came up. Im inclined to agree, Young said. It appears he had an accomplice — or at least a ride. Did you hear any vehicles outside? I got up and went over to the porch rail. I took off my shirt and jeans. Underneath I was wearing some swimming trunks. I picked up the long bamboo pole with the hook on the end that Id made out of a coat-hanger. I used the hook to pull the rope swing in, grasped the gunnysack, and climbed up on the porch rail. I turned. Murfin and Quane were watching me. So was Honest Tuan. This could all be a trap. He sighed deeply, nodded again, slumped a little in his chair, and turned slightly so that he could look out the window.No, he said softly, “it isnt, is it?.