ATKINS WAS waiting for him. The lab results were in. Kinderman sat at his desk and pushed aside a scattering of books with turned–down pages to make a space for the typed reports. He then went through them. The use of succinylcholine in the murder of the priest was confirmed. There were also prints that had been taken from the metal pull on the right–hand panel of the confessional, and from the wood around it as well. They matched other prints from the front of the panel, the part that faced out to the penitent’s side. They were not the priest’s. The information from the Washington Post had not changed. Atkins had a rundown on Paterno, but Kinderman waved it aside. “No interest,” he said. “It’s the shopping bag or the windbreaker. Please don’t confuse me with the facts. Where is Ryan?” “He’s off,” replied Atkins. “This is true.” Kinderman sighed and leaned back in his chair.
