Della Street sat quietly, waiting, knowing that this period of suspense would start Mason pacing the floor unless his mind was kept occupied. She raised her forefinger to her lips in a signal to Paul Drake. Objected to as incompetent, irrelevant, immaterial, not proper cross-examination and not the best evidence, Hamilton Burger said. That sheet is not part of the official records of the company, that sheet was never shown to the defendant. It is only the personal record of the witness. It has no proper bearing, nor were any questions asked about it on direct examination. The cascade of financial data washed across his computer screen, but Devine wasnt really focused on it. He was just treading water in a shark tank. It couldnt be long now, could it? I got a message from her killer. Just out for a drive and you ended up back here? Who? Well, Mason grinned, that amount got whittled materially. It hadnt occurred to him that the insurance company might be interested in this. And then I dropped a bombshell by stating that we were going to sue him for defamation of character. I wouldnt be surprised if you heard from Mr.Alder and found that he wanted to patch things us. Assuming, Doctor, that the body was found lying head downward on the stairs, would you state that from the nature of this wound, the victim could have started for the stairs before death overtook him? May I ask why? Judge Hoyt asked. Does he give a shit about his wife? I really get the impression he couldnt care less. Thats just great, Stone said. Call me back when hes in custody. Twenty minutes later, Stone answered the front door, then stepped out onto the stoop and closed it behind him. Stone crooked a finger at the owner.Give them menus and bread rolls, quick. He rammed his way through the crowd and out the door. Her cell phone played a Mozart piece. She slipped it out of her small brown leather purse and checked the screen.Its Mom..