“Maybe guilt about not helping you was somewhere in my subconscious. Perhaps I was trying to save all the damsels in town to compensate for my failure to come to your rescue when you were in rehab and needed me.”
The phone buzzed and Ray jumped for it. It was Kagan.
“I’ll be damned. We got it,” Kagan said. “I don’t believe it. We got it. And only $250,000 bond! Just pledge twenty-five thousand of stock and Sandy can stay in town. You’ll still be under arrest, but out of custody.”
Ray stood and reached his arms out to Sandy and then unexpectedly flopped back limply into his chair. Sandy saw him collapse and rushed to his side of the table. Sergeant Lewis was right behind her. His forehead felt cold and sweaty. She held his head between her hands and gently shook him. He slowly opened his eyes. He saw his sister, and made a weak grin. “Oh, got all warm and dizzy there for a moment. Okay now.”It was over—at least this important battle—not the entire war. He’d be away from that jail cell. The possibility of a conviction would still hang over him, but he’d be out of custody.
Kagan immediately phoned Meg Emerson at the brokerage firm. She said sure, they could collateralize Reid’s securities and said to tell him that she was “deliriously happy” and wants to buy him a martini. Kagan’s next call was to Beau Cobb, the bail bondsman. No problem getting the bond, he said, and wanted to know if Reid had any other sisters.
The next morning the newspaper and TV carried a quote from State Attorney Moran saying exceptional progress in all areas of the investigation now permitted the release of Raymond Reid pending trial, for the proper preparation of a defense.
After breakfast, Detective Goddard appeared outside Ray’s cell and handed his old cellphone back to him. “Here, sign this receipt. If you skip town, buddy, your sister is in for a hellava lot of trouble.”
“Leave this fine city, I wouldn’t do that. Thanks for the phone.”
“She says for you to call her as soon as you can.”
Touching his own phone once again was like shaking hands with an old friend. He phoned Sandy immediately. She filled him in on what was happening and told him everyone was getting together at the Dockside Tavern tomorrow.
Mid-morning Ray got a call: “Ray, this is Tammy Jerrold. Your sister gave me your number. I just heard the news. I’m so pleased.”
He didn’t understand. Why would she call? “Tammy, I’m surprised you’re calling.”
“I was wrong about you. I see things more clearly now. How soon will you be out?”
He stretched his legs out to rest on the toilet and leaned back on the bunk, feeling incredibly high.. “I’ll still be stuck here for a few more hours while they complete the paperwork. But just knowing that I’m getting out makes all the difference. I hope this means the investigation can now focus on the real killer. How do you think the town is taking it?”
“Not well. As it stands right now, if this goes to trial, they’ll convict you. I just got in the office. No one is celebrating here, I can tell you that. I said something about how they shouldn’t rush to judge you, and a couple of my so-called friends came down hard on me. There will be plenty of grumbling about you being released.”
“When I make bail I’ll sneak out the back way.”
“You’re joking but that’s exactly what you should do. Do you suppose we could get together when you get out, Ray?”
He wasn’t certain he heard correctly. “Are you serious? You’d like that?”
“I’d love it. Your first night out, I’ll cook you dinner. Do you like pasta?”
Of course, he answered yes.
A police officer came over and started unlocking his cell. Ray told Tammy to hold on a second.
The officer said, “The judge wants to see you.”
Ray said, “Tell him I’m busy.”
“Very funny, get on your feet.”
Chapter 32
Ray Reid made a magnanimous gesture with his hand and told the waitress, “Drinks for everyone, including you, the bartender, and that guy over there at the end of the bar, whoever he is.”
Sandy ordered a beer. Kagan supposed that considering his stomach he’d better just have tonic water. “So that’s Martinis for Tammy and me. Meg?”
Meg hesitated and then said, “Sure, but I can stay for just one. I’m speaking at an investment seminar in Geneva next week and must prepare. Ray, you talked about the magnificent museums in Milan; I need to stop there on the way back. Next time you’ll have to go with me. I can use some help tomorrow on my presentation if you want to lend a hand, I’d like that.”
“Absolutely, Meg, I’d love it. Tomorrow is the first full day of the rest of my freedom.”
“And if you’re free tonight we could talk about it,” Meg added.
“Oh, sorry, I already have plans tonight. Tammy is fixing me dinner.” He felt a sharp kick under the table. He knew it was Sandy. He added, “But—I’d really like to get together and spend time with you tomorrow, I’ll call you.”
Sandy said, “We all need to thank you, Meg. You were very helpful and you stood by Raymond from that first dark day.”
When she saw Linda come in, Sandy got up and walked over. In a low voice she asked, “What happened, Linda, do you still have a job?”
“Yes, and thanks to you, I’ll probably keep it. Moran phoned my editor and informed him of Ray’s release. Moran still didn’t realize the paper never intended to print any of your material anyway. The editor just said fine, unaware I’d lied to Moran that it
“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,
“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….”
