Summary

In Part 1, Chapter 16, Metcalf goes to his scheduled meeting with Phoneblum, using an address given by Joey. The address is a large house in the hills, fairly distant from downtown. Joey checks Metcalf for weapons and then leads him into a well-decorated room in the house’s basement. Phoneblum is a portly man in late middle age. Phoneblum affects a false air of geniality, and Metcalf tries to information from him. Phoneblum claims that he is merely trying to make a living in the country’s dystopian, authoritarian state. However, Metcalf knows that Phoneblum likely has some secret connections within the government and the inquisition department, such as Kornfeld. Phoneblum says that he knows Pansy Greenleaf, Dr. Testafer, and the Stanhunts. He seems to imply that Grover Testafer and/or Maynard Stanhunt worked for him in some secret capacity. Phoneblum also seems to be...