Lexington Park, Maryland, Friday & Saturday…

"What about Chris and Kalidas?" asked Bouncer. "How can we help them?" He had never met the detective or the scientist, yet they seemed like good people. As much as he talked about conspiracy theories, this seemed unreal to him.

"Well, they'll just have to fend for themselves for now. They don't have this evidence anyway. I never was able to contact them."

"It's not much evidence," observed Sandra, looking doubtful. "It's basically circumstantial, a good working hypothesis for now. I'm not sure I should risk my job for it."

"Come on, Sandra," said Bouncer. "You see what's happening to Chris and Kalidas. Not to mention four deaths here - no five, if you count our John Doe. I'd like to be able to grow old with you, baby."

"Is that a proposal?" Sandra asked, suddenly cheering up a little, but tightening her grip on his arm even more.

"Take it as an installment on a more formal one, if we get through this, that is."

"When, not if," said Dolores. "I'm going to see John's killers brought to justice. And you're all going to help me."

They were all in agreement on that. They went inside and made the hard copies. Then they left the house, going in three different directions.

Jay's route took her north, up old 235, then 24, then 2, closing in on Annapolis. Part of 2 was autopilot equipped but she wasn't on that stretch long, so she didn't even turn it on. Before she hit Londontown, she turned off the thruway onto a dusty old country lane that had seen better years.