“Let’s hope the real killer is caught before he wises up and your lie becomes an issue. I broke my rule against dating cops. Chip’s taking me to dinner tomorrow night; out of town where we won’t be bothered. How sweet is that? I need to buy a little black dress somewhere.”
“Oh my God, you in a little black dress. Why don’t you just hit him with a sledge hammer and save the money?”
“I’ll let you know if we start sharing a toothbrush.”
Everyone scooted around the table to make room for Linda. “Hey guys, you won’t believe why I’m late,” she said. “The paper got a call from a girl who read about Sandy accusing Huress of assault. The girl put the clipping on her wall and kept looking at it because some cop in a red pickup pulled the same routine on her and succeeded. He told her he knew where she lived and to keep quiet or he’d come around for seconds. After that, she avoided being seen in public, and got the shakes whenever she saw a cop car or a red pickup. Every day when she looked at the clipping the whole nightmare would come back. Eventually, she got up the nerve to phone the paper. She wants to bring charges like the woman in the paper did.”
“The slimy bastard, how old is she?” Sandy asked.
“Eighteen now but she was underage when it happened. Here’s the kicker. She has a classmate who said it happened to her too. My boss is meeting with both parents tonight. The paper will pay for their attorneys.”
“Let’s hope those were the only incidents,” Meg said. “That means Huress is done for. Sandy, it took nerve for you to come forward with that accusation.”
“I’ll get my chance to slice him up from the witness stand after all.”
Kagan said, “Your testimony—the testimony of an adult—will tie the ribbons on the entire case. He’ll go to prison.”
Meg said, “So, Sandy, I guess you’re eager to get back to Philadelphia.”
“Yes, I’m flying back tomorrow….”
Ray said, “Well, I can’t thank you enough. I’m going to miss you.” He reached across the table for her hand and held it for a moment. “I’ll come visit you if it’s all right. And if the charges against me ever get dismissed.”
“…you didn’t let me finish. And then I’m driving back here so I can give my new brother a ride in my new convertible.” She locked eyes with Raymond. “I want to spend some time with him. We’ve lots of catching up to do, now that I’m a sister again.”
Ray was delighted. “Why don’t you look for a law school down here? Consider your tuition paid; you borrow the money and I’ll make the payments.”
“And I want to give proper notice up there and clean up some loose ends. Like a certain guy who has to move out or take over my lease. He won’t be happy. Anyway, it’ll take awhile to have my new MX-5 delivered. I’ll need an apartment down here. I can’t afford much.”
“Rents are high,” Tammy said. “My place has two bedrooms. If necessary you can stay with me until I find a nice place for you.”
“Sorry to spoil your merriment here, but you’re talking as if the show’s over.” Kagan was serious. “Ray remains under arrest and unless the real killer gets caught, the possibility remains we still might have to go to trial. Things can easily go wrong in a murder trial.”
“I know, and I’ll get back on it when I return. But not to worry,” Sandy said. “Chip will get the bad guy. He and I have an idea who the killer is.”
“Our thanks to you, Jerry. You were right in there and did all you were supposed to do,” Ray said.
“If they drop the charges, then I think I’ll keep my office open for a few more years,” Kagan said. “I’ve been feeling better lately. The phone has started ringing again. I was invited to speak at a Rotary Club luncheon, how about that? Sandy, I have an unused desk if you want some work or just need somewhere to spread out and study for the bar exam. I could use the help, and you’re definitely welcome.”
An hour later, the drinks were finished and the chatter quieted. Meg and Kagan left. As Tammy and Ray were leaving Sandy said, “Come in quietly tonight, Raymond, and remember I’ve got your bedroom. You’ve got the couch.”
“I can’t wait to sleep on my old couch.”
“And I don’t do breakfast.” Then Sandy stood and said, “Linda, let’s go check out that special bar of yours for a couple of hours, I want to watch you dance.”
“Let’s go. I might hook up with Miss Right. You’re not the only Coca Cola in the desert, you know.”
Chapter 33
Ray sat back and breathed the sweet air of freedom. He watched the Florida scenery flash by, and dreamed it would always be like this. That morning he had left a sweaty orange jumpsuit and some meaningless papers behind in a smelly jail cell, and now a beautiful woman was swiftly driving him to her barrier island condo apartment. From the ridiculous to the sublime in mere moments. He owned the earth and the sky. He’d settle for much less, in fact, he’d settle for zero as long as he was free.
Locked in jail had given him time to think. Acquaintances would no longer just come and go in his life. He’d be alert to the possibility of new friends. And perhaps one of his new friends would call him if needed someday, even at four a.m.
After ushering him in to her apartment, Tammy said, “I need to get out of these clothes. Make yourself at home.” She disappeared into the bedroom.
From her small kitchen, he walked across the dining space to the adjoining living room area with sliding glass doors. The balcony was just large enough for a small table and two lounge chairs, but it had an unobstructed ocean view. Her place was modest, informal, and nicely decorated. A comfortable place to live, he thought.
She called from the bedroom, “You can do the wine. The bottle I want is on the counter. Opener is somewhere.”
He opened the wine and found two glasses. “This view is great,” he yelled back.
“The value is in the view. I couldn’t afford to buy it at today’s prices. I should sell it straight away before they squeeze in another building in front of the ocean.”
She came out wearing what he would always remember as perfect: a pink-flowered silk top with matching pants. Not sheer but close fitting enough for him to suspect she wore nothing underneath. Her remarkable body was definitely liberated under there.
She shuffled through some CDs. “Classical guitar okay?”
They walked out on the balcony. They sipped their wine, listened to Villa-Lobos, and looked out at the waves. The contrast between this scene and jail was wider than the ocean that stretched out until it met the sky.
There was a half-hour of daylight left. The air was warm. The ocean breeze playfully tugged at her hair and blew her lounging outfit so tightly against her body it appeared she wore only a silky layer of paint. Instinctively he stared.
She slowly turned to put the light wind at her back. “It must feel great being out from behind bars. You and your sister have worked hard. How’s your defense going? Is there anything I can do?”
She had interrupted his image of her posed there like a poetic goddess heroically facing the ocean naked, with the taut nipples of her breasts boldly aimed at the horizon. “Jail isn’t on my mind just now. I don’t want to be reminded of it tonight.” He politely changed the subject. “It appears you’ve been in Park Beach quite a while.”
“Has to be fifteen years or so. I remember it was an election year and Towson was running for mayor. I was clerking in a department store. I was young and idealistic and got interested in his campaign. He was so tall and distinguished looking. That year was the first I’d ever voted, even though I was twenty-something. I remember a lot of excitement as there was also a Presidential election that year.”