I said, "Let's concentrate on the homicide investigation. If we can implicate Madox, that might lead us to some other things."

"All right. Anything else? I need to get to work on this."

I glanced at my watch and said, "I'd like to go out to the crime scene now."

"It's too dark. I'll take you out in the morning."

"Can we light it up tonight?"

"I have the scene secured, and there aren't any CSI people there, and there's no rain or snow in the forecast. Call me here at seven A.M., and we'll work out a visit."

"Maybe just a quick look-"

"You're on overdrive, Detective. Go take your wife to dinner. You got a place to stay?"

"Yeah. The Point."

"You're staying at The Point?"

"Well ... yeah."

"You guys having trouble spending Federal money? All I got out of Washington were some new radios and a bomb-sniffing dog with allergies."

I smiled. "Well, I don't think terrorism is a big issue here."

"Maybe not Arab terrorism, but we have a few homegrown nuts up here."

I didn't respond.

"Is that what your friend was doing here? Checking out right-wing weirdos?"

"I can't say."

Schaeffer took that as a yes and belatedly informed me, "About ten years ago, when I first got assigned here, some FBI guys came around asking about Bain Madox."

That was interesting. "What did they want to know?"

"They said they were doing a background investigation because Mr. Madox might be appointed to a government job."

That was standard bullshit when you were investigating someone for criminal activity, but it could also be true. In the case of Mr. Bain Madox, I could believe he was being considered for a government appointment, and just as easily believe he was being investigated for criminal activity. These days, one did not necessarily preclude the other. I asked Schaeffer, "Did he get the job?"

"Not that I know of. I think they had something else on their minds." He asked, "So, what's this guy up to?"

"I think he's looking for a presidential appointment to the U.N. commission on global warming."

"Is he for it or against it?"

I smiled politely and said, "Whatever is good for Bain Madox is good for the planet."

Major Schaeffer stood and suggested, "Let's go find your wife."

I stood, and we left the cafeteria and walked toward the lobby. I had a thought and asked him, "Regarding these old rumors, did anyone ever say exactly what kind of secret government facility was being built there?"

"Are we back to the Custer Hill Club?"

"Just for a moment."

"And this will help with the murder investigation?"

"Possibly. You never know."

He went along. "Well, there were lots of wild guesses about what the government was building."

"Like what?"

"Well, let me think-survival training camp, safe house, missile silo, plus a commo school or listening station." He added, "That's because of all the electronics and antennas."

"Do you get a lot of electronic interference around there?"

"Nope. Not a squawk. I think the electronics are dead or never used, or on a frequency that we can't pick up."

I wondered if the National Security Agency ever did an electronic scan on the Custer Hill Club. They should have if the Justice Department was suspicious of something.

Kate was sitting in the lobby, talking on her cell phone, and before we got to her, Schaeffer said, "I'm remembering now that there was a Navy veteran who lived around here, and he was telling everyone that he knew what was going on at the Custer Hill Club, but he wasn't allowed to say."

This sounded like baloney, but I inquired, "Do you remember this guy's name?"

"No ... but I'll try to find out. Someone will remember."

"Let me know."

"Yeah ... I think his name was Fred. Yeah, Fred. And he was saying that what was going on there had to do with submarines."

"Submarines? Exactly how deep are these lakes around here?"

"I'm just telling you what I remember. Sounds like some old sea dog pumping himself up."

Kate got off the phone and stood. "Sorry. I was waiting for that call."

There were people in the lobby, including the desk sergeant, so Schaeffer said for public consumption, "Sorry again about Detective Muller. Please be assured we're doing everything possible to get to the bottom of this tragedy."

"We appreciate that," I said. "Thanks for the coffee."

"You need directions to The Point?"

"That would be good."

He gave us directions and asked, "How long will you be there?"