Kate seconded that. "We need to fight the good fight in a good way. That's what makes us different from them."

"Well," replied Bain Madox, "when someone is aiming a nuclear missile at you, you're perfectly justified in kicking them in the balls."

I could see his point, but arguments like this could go on for days and nights, and I think he'd already had these arguments and resolved these questions many years ago, over beer and pizza.

I'd always thought that people of that generation who came of age in the '60s were somehow different, and maybe scarred, and maybe still carrying one grudge or another. But I don't get paid to think about things like this, or to offer free counseling.

Nevertheless, I said to Mr. Madox, "So, you do have comrades who would come looking for you if you disappeared."

He looked at, or through, me for a while, then said, "Do I? I did. When I was young and wore the uniform ... I think they're all gone now ... except for Carl ... He served under me in Vietnam." He added, "Carl and Kaiser Wilhelm are loyal."

Well, if there was a sled named Rosebud lying around, I would have thrown it in the fireplace and faded to black. Instead, I stood and said, "Thank you for your time."

Kate, too, stood and picked up her briefcase.

He seemed almost surprised that he was getting rid of us, and for a moment I thought he looked disappointed. He asked us, "Are you going to join my staff in the search?"

I didn't think that Kate and I would accomplish anything by riding around these sixteen thousand acres with Madox's security staff until nightfall.

"Mr. Corey?"

On the other hand, I wouldn't have minded taking a look around the property. But Kate and I weren't even supposed to be here, and we were already late for our meeting with Major Schaeffer at state police headquarters. I glanced at Kate, then answered, "We'll leave it to your staff to conduct the search. But we'll be back in the morning with search parties."

He nodded and said, "Fine. I'll have my staff begin the search immediately. I'll also make sure tomorrow's search party has terrain maps and the use of my vehicles and staff."

Kate asked, "Didn't you say your staff is going on holiday?"

"The house staff is off. The security staff will be here."

"May I ask why you have so many security people here?"

Madox replied, "It's really not that many if you consider they work in shifts to cover a seven-day week, twenty-four hours a day, every day of the year."

"But why do you need that kind of security?"

He answered, "A house like this attracts unwanted attention. Besides, the local police are stretched thin and the state police are some distance away. I rely on my own security."

She didn't pursue that, and Bain Madox said, "I'll show you out."

We walked toward the door, and on the way, I asked him, "Will you be here tomorrow?"

"I may be." He paused. "My plans are up in the air."

And so were his two jets. I asked him, "Where do you live full-time?"

"New York City."

"Any other homes?"

"A few."

"How do you get out of here? Car? Plane?"

He replied, "Usually someone drives me to the regional airport in Saranac Lake. Why do you ask?"

"I just want to be sure we can reach you tomorrow. Do you have a cell phone?"

"I don't give that number out, but if you'll call the security guard number here, someone is on twenty-four hours a day, and they'll locate me. If we discover anything, we'll call you at The Point." He gave me the security number. "But I'll probably see you in the morning."

"You will. Do you have a private plane?"

He hesitated, then replied, "I do. Why do you ask?"

"Can you be reached on the plane?"

"Usually. Why-?"

"Are you planning any flights in or out of the country?"

"I go when and where business takes me. I'm not sure why you need to know this."

"I just need to know that I can contact you if there's any misunderstandings or problems with your security people, who seem very protective and not particularly easy to deal with."

"That's what they get paid for, but I'll make sure they understand that you and Ms. Mayfield can reach me, and that the search teams can traverse the property freely in the morning."

"Great. That's all we need."

We passed through the library into the lobby, and I said, "So, you built this place."

"Yes. In 1982." He added, "As a kid, I always admired the grand lodges up here, and also what were called the Great Camps, built by millionaires at the turn of the last century. In fact, The Point, where you're staying, was a Rockefeller Great Camp."

"Yeah, I know. You have a tux I can borrow?"

He smiled. "I'd opt for room service."

"Me, too. So, why didn't you buy one of these old places which are probably for sale all over?"

He thought a moment, then replied, "Well, I looked at a few, but this private parcel was available in the park, and I bought it for three hundred thousand dollars. Less than twenty dollars an acre. Best investment I ever made."

"Better than oil?"

We made eye contact, and he said, "I suppose you know who I am."

"Well, you're not exactly unknown."

"I try to keep a low profile. But that's not always possible. Thus, the security here."

"Right. Good idea. Nobody's going to get you here."