“Poor dear took some painkillers and alcohol, then sliced open her belly with a kitchen knife. Apparently, she was trying to lose some weight the quick way. The ME says she cut a couple of arteries and bled to death.”

“Oh, God,” Lou muttered.

He swallowed hard. Roberta Jennings had completed the pathetic circle John Meacham had begun. Another terrible decision. Another violent death. Lou considered disclosing then and there what he knew of Darlene Mallory, Double M, and a huge shipment of corn, maybe Chester’s corn, headed someplace by train, but he needed to clear things with her first.

“Can we get inside?” he asked, pointing to the green door. “Do we need a warrant or anything? I’m fairly certain that the source of whatever is going on here is behind that door.”

Stone’s eyes flashed. “Of course we can get in. I’m the damn chief of police.”

“Do you know what this building is used for?”

Stone nodded dully, then said, “Sure I do. Heck, I authorized it.”

Lou looked up at the man, bewildered. “Well, what is it?” he asked. “It doesn’t look like much.”

Stone snorted a mirthless laugh and pointed down. “That’s because it’s all belowground,” he said.

“What is?”

“William Chester’s research laboratory,” Stone said, a note of impatience creeping into his voice. “We excavated it years ago. He already owned the land and wanted a place where he could conduct research without attracting much attention. Hardly anybody even knows about this access road.” Stone pointed to the dirt road behind them. “The seed business is very competitive, you see. Chester was worried about trade secrets being stolen—industrial espionage and such. We gave him the permits to build an underground lab because, well, Chester Seed Company is what makes Kings Ridge a viable community.”

“So do you know what they do down there?”

“Not really. The security system feeds to a room in the basement of the Chester mansion—the place you and your friends visited. As far as I know, these people have been complying with all our permits and regulations. We never gave them permission to radiate bugs, though, and turn ’em into mutants, if that’s what you’re wondering.”

“Do you know whose car that is?”

“Actually, I think it’s one of Bill Chester’s.”

“He’s here,” Lou said. “Maybe he can finally provide some answers. How do we get in?”

“Well, we can pound all night on this door, or we can use this.” Looking somewhat puffed, Stone held up a key. “Like I said, I’m the chief of police.”

With a turn of Stone’s key, the green metal door swung open on well-oiled hinges. Brushed steel wall scones illuminated the cinder block entrance and a staircase with a metal handrail. Stone removed his gun from its holster and started down, with Lou following.

“Should we send for backup?” Lou asked.