As we speed along the levee top, I give Caitlin a much-expanded summary of the theories Henry related to me Monday night—including the story of Brody Royal killing Albert Norris and ordering the downing of Dr. Robb’s plane. Since Henry has decided to pass on his files to her, I see no reason to withhold what she’ll soon read for herself. She records every word on her handheld Sony, but she seems less excited than I would have expected, which makes me suspicious. She’s obviously angry that I withheld so much, but still, to see her sit in tense silence while I describe the murder of two federal witnesses—both women—stretches credibility. Halfway to the Jericho Hole, she tells me that last night she salvaged Henry’s most recent notebook from the Beacon fire, and from it learned most of what Henry got from Glenn Morehouse, Pooky’s mother, and even what he told me on Monday night. That includes Brody’s Carlos Marcello connection, the plot to kill Robert Kennedy, and the murders of the two women from Royal Insurance.

“Given that I have all that,” she says, “do you still want me to write a comprehensive story in tomorrow’s paper, as Henry was planning to do?”

“Yes. Though I think you’d do well to leave out the Marcello-RFK plot. Until you have more proof, that’s only going to be a distraction from the civil rights murders.”

“But this story isn’t just about civil rights murders!” she explodes. “You can’t demand that I jump the gun on parts of the story and hold back the rest.”

“Did you really look at Henry back there?” I ask. “I don’t want you to end up like that. And the best way to prevent it is to convince Royal and the Double Eagles that the information they most fear is already out there. And that the FBI has it.”

Caitlin sighs and looks out the window at the river, which appears slate gray today, rather than reddish brown. “This is one of the most complex stories I’ve ever worked. I can’t possibly do it justice by tomorrow. I’m going to pursue it as hard as I can, but methodically. I’m going to get it right. I won’t let redneck psychopaths determine my publishing schedule.”

“Caitlin … Sherry Harden gave you the keys to Henry’s safe-deposit boxes. How quiet do you think she’ll stay about all she’s heard and seen? If the Double Eagles find out you have Henry’s files, you’ll be next on their hit list. The only way to stay off it is to publish the story Henry planned to publish, or one like it.”