“That makes no sense,” Edwin said. “Why would somebody attack these men in our cornfield? Have you contacted someone from Hensley’s? They’re on call to us twenty-four/seven. That’s why you pay them that ridiculous retainer.”

Lou took a step forward. “I believe I know exactly why we were attacked,” he said, addressing both Chester men.

“And who the hell are you?”

“Edwin, Dr. Welcome, here, is an emergency physician at Eisenhower Memorial,” Stone said.

Lou was unable to ignore the fact that William was concerned as to why the ambush could have happened, while his son seemed interested only in absolving them of any responsibility.

“Go on,” Edwin said, as if he expected Lou wouldn’t speak without his permission.

“I’ve noticed an unusual pattern of behavior among people in Kings Ridge,” Lou began. “It seems that my observations may have attracted the attention of the people who ambushed us—or else of the people who hired them.”

“What sort of behavior?” Edwin asked.

“For me, it all started with the John Meacham shootings,” Lou said.

“Meacham!” William exclaimed. “What in the hell could that crazy murderer have to do with your being ambushed in our field?”

It was the first crack in the man’s composure. Continuing to select each word with care, Lou reviewed his job with the PWO, his relationship with Meacham, and the reason for his trip to the hospital in Kings Ridge.

“I don’t think John knew what he was doing when he shot those people,” Lou summarized. “His judgment was impaired and—”

“Of course his judgment was impaired!” Edwin cut in. “He was deranged. He had proven that before, but apparently you weren’t paying attention then. Now you’re consumed with guilt and willing to pin the blame on anyone and anything except your bad evaluation of the man.”

“Up until the day he killed those people, Meacham had been doing fine?” Stone asked, as if he expected Edwin to jump down his throat.

“Perfect, from all I can tell,” Lou replied.

“Then what happened?”

“That’s what I’d like to find out,” Lou said. “You see, I think Meacham is the tip of an iceberg.”

“Explain,” Edwin said curtly.

“From what I can tell, he wasn’t deranged in the sense that he had gone crazy,” Lou replied. “It seems more as if he was profoundly confused—as if his logic and reasoning deserted him.”

Lou went on to review the police report of the woman who survived long enough to describe Meacham’s repeated muttering of the phrase no witnesses during his rampage, even though the most important witness of all, Roberta Jennings, had long since departed the office.

“That does sound strange,” Edwin said.