He was right. Why the hell not? All over the western United States there were law enforcement officers signing on to anti-government groups. But no section of the country was exempt from the hysteria these people generated. Why not the Midwest? This mysterious accident that you had, Mason continued, you dont know with whom you had the altercation? This isnt about me. You noticed the torn claw? Mason asked. Why didnt your people find the shell casing after the shooting? Apparently it was lying there, in plain sight. Well, by God, we walked all over it, over all eighty acres with this old guy who owned it — what was his name? Started with a P. Fred shook his head.We hadnt heard from her in a while. When was it last, Ellen? No, shes fine. Really. You are prepared to state that those are my fingerprints? Mason asked. Even up here? He again had the idea of calling her phone to see if it would ring somewhere in the mounds of all the stuff in here, but it didnt. She might have it on silent. But he didnt hear vibrating anywhere, either. The battery might have died for all he knew. Chapter 55 Were going to have to kill the son of a bitch. This is highly unusual, Devine. I desire to recall Dr. Oberon for one question, Hamilton Burger said. No. Stone unlocked the door and made sure Dino was alone..