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"What did happen in Jose Bloom’s basement?"

"Never mind I did tell hiernails and that they match Testen’s O positive blood type--God, they had better match--and that if he looked, Salisbury could see scratches on Testen’s face in the photographs taken at Elizabeth’s funeral I also told hi his many souvenirs of the Seven’s victory Salisbury took the information to the sheriff--ured it out--and convinced the sheriff to search Testen’s h, they found the locket at the bottom of one of the smaller trophies"

"Beautiful"

"So, you can tell your boss that come Sunday’s edition of the Victoria Herald he should be free and clear of that particular probleovernor of the state of Minnesota He hired you, didn’t he, Greg?"

"Did he?"

"The only question I have is, Did he hire you to make sure I solved the case or watch my back?"

"Maybe both--if he hired me"

"The incidents on the skyway and in the parking lot, the telephone calls--the fifteen roses at Milepost Three You arranged all that, didn’t you?"

"I had to keep you interested, pal You have to admit the roses were a nice touch"

"Very nice TellWhy didn’t he send you in the first place? Why did he pick overnor didn’t pick you The first lady picked you, remember?"

"Does he knohy?"

"Of course he knohy"

"Then he knows about Donovan"

"That’sabout it?"

"He’d have to admit to his wife that he knohat happened, and he’s not prepared to do that"

"Why not?"

"If he ad about it andabout it Maybe he’s content with his e, warts and all Maybe he hopes to avoid confrontation so he can repair the da, he loves his wife and doesn’t want to lose her This is all hypothetical, of course"

"Of course"

"Personally, I’d like to blow Donovan’s brains out, but the governor won’t have it"

"I’ll take care of Donovan"

Schroeder chuckled loudly

"You didn’t get suckered into doing another favor, did you, pal? When are you going to learn?"