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“Of course not.” I waved the thought away in irritation. “I don’t know. There must be something.”
“I’m sorry, but even if there were grounds, this case is dynamite. This is a real step up for me.”
“What do you care?” I shot him an accusing look. “I thought you wanted to leave the state’s attorney.”
“Well, sure,” he said. “But not right away.”
“Face it, Ray, you’re not going anywhere.” My words flowed, fast and furious. “You’re not leaving the state’s attorney. You’re not leaving—” I managed to stop myself in time. My hand felt cramped. I realized I was clutching a pen. It was a miracle it hadn’t snapped in half.
“What are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about your job. You’re not leaving the safety of your job.” I wasn’t talking about that. From the look on his face, he knew it. I squeezed my temples with one hand, trying to work out the tension. “This has been a rough few days,” I said.
“I know.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to lose my temper.”
He nodded.
“I guess we’ll just have to play this out in court.”
Ray gestured toward the door. “I’ve got some stuff for you in the car. Paperwork ...”
“OK.”
We walked out together. He handed me the information.
“I’m sorry, too,” he said.
“It’s your job.”
“Right.”
“OK then. See you tomorrow.”
“See you.”
For a moment, we looked at each other. Any other time, we might have embraced. Not this time.
I walked away, willing myself not to look back. The sound of his car door slamming was like that of the lid closing on a casket.
Chapter FIFTEEN
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The next day, Melanie’s bail was set at fifty thousand dollars.
The feds continued their questioning marathon. During a break, I checked my messages. Donna had called to ask how things were going. I called her back.
I gave my name to whoever answered the phone. After a pause, Donna came on.
“Talk to me, Sam,” she said.
“Her bail is fifty grand.”
I heard a quick intake of breath at the other end.
“A bail bondsman will cost ten percent up front,” I said.
