"Sergeant-Lewis-who?"

"That nice old cop who runs the visiting room at the jail. How ya doing, Philly?"

"Sarge, of course, hey thanks for calling. I feel better just hearing your voice. I really mean that."

"Don't worry, you'll be okay. I just know it. Of course, your car's a goner."

"Makes me sick all over again, and I have places to go. Why don't you a.s.sign me a police car with a driver? Make him single and good-looking. I want the lights, the siren, and all that jazz. Be sure it has a good stereo."

"That's why I called. You can use your brother's car."

"Don't think so, Sarge, it was impounded."

"Not exactly, I called over there this morning to see what it would take to get it released. G.o.ddard should have put an Evidence Hold on it but he didn't. His team searched the car and went over every inch, and all the time there wasn't even a Hold on it. Just sitting there. I told our man over there you'd be waltzing over to pick it up."

Waltzing sounded good. "You lifesaver! Why are you doing all this for me?"

"Because I like your style. You remind me of my daughter when she was your age, sa.s.sy, not as clever as you but just as reckless."

"How's she doing?"

"She's mellowed out just fine, and I have grandkids."

"You have pictures you can show me?"

"Funny you should ask. Okay, Philly-get better. Let me know when you want to get the car released."

"Thanks, Sarge."

"Don't hang up. Here's your brother. I had him brought up here to the visiting room."

Raymond got on and started in with his regrets for asking her to come to Florida. She brushed that aside and tried to explain what happened. At first, they just yelled back and forth. Eventually, they calmed down and quietly talked for ten minutes. She didn't mention the ultimatum from her employer.

Tests and more x-rays filled the afternoon. Busy people in blue scrubs, fussed around, patted her on the shoulder, and told her she'd be just fine. When they wheeled her back to her room, she found an orchid plant from Linda. Sandy would call her later. Another call was more important just then. The law firm in Philadelphia was waiting for her decision.

She phoned Joanna. A hit and run, she explained without further details. Joanna was aghast and kept pressing for particulars-if it's not serious then why is she in the hospital? Sandy's boss got on the phone and told her not to worry about hurrying back to work. The company wanted her to get well, not to worry about the expense. They would hold off any decision regarding her employment.

"Ron, that's marvelous and I'm overwhelmed, but I've already made my decision." In fact, she had just decided after talking with Raymond. Helping him was unfinished, and no way could she leave town with Moran winning, and the murderer unknown. Also, there was the matter of Chip.

She told Ron, "I've decided to stay here until my brother is safely out on bail. It's a circ.u.mstantial case and it's entirely possible a confused jury would convict him. I'll do what I can. Thanks to all you guys for the special consideration. I don't expect you to hold the job open for me. It may take two weeks or two years. After that, if the company still wants me-well, we'll see."

She awoke late in the afternoon. She tried to pull herself up but was too stiff and sore. She thought about her precious Miata, also crumpled and hurt, but beyond all possible healing. Of course, she could buy a new car, but she loved the old one. She wanted it back. They had shared some good adventures and nearly died together. That b.a.s.t.a.r.d Pirro tried to bury them both together in that country ca.n.a.l. La Familia must be touchy about strangers nosing around, or maybe she was getting too close to the truth.

Pirro would come after her again. She knew that. Even so, the attempt on her life had challenged her and made her angry. He had picked on the wrong girl. She had no intention of waiting around for him to try again. He had to pay.

She buzzed the nurse for help sitting up and asked for the phone. She needed a different kind of help just now. "h.e.l.lo, Linda, it's Sandy. Thanks for the orchid plant. It's beautiful and you're a sweetheart."

"Sandy! So happy you're okay. I hope Chip catches that b.a.s.t.a.r.d. Can I come up to see you?"

"Not yet, but I do need a favor."

"Anything."

"Do you own a gun?"

"Anything but that. You're not getting it. The police will protect you from Pirro."

"How did you know his name?"

"Some cop mentioned it, I guess."

"I need it for preemptive purposes. What do you have?"

"Preemptive h.e.l.l-don't even think about that going-after-him s.h.i.t. Yes, I have a .38. Do you even know firearms?"

"I've been shown a trick or two. I'm serious, Linda, and I'm not going to argue with you. Do I get your gun or not?"

"The Florida sun has baked your brain. Let me warn you, Sugar, if you go through with this, Chip won't hesitate to arrest you."

"It'll be self-defense. A cop in Philly showed me exactly how to stage it. They won't even bring charges against me."

"It's dangerous, and you could get yourself killed. You know, you won't fool Chip and you could lose him over this. He hates people who pick up a gun to settle a score. He's says they're not trustworthy. He's likely to write you off in a hurry."

"Linda?"

"You're a dangerous woman, you know it? Okay, you could get one fast in Florida anyway. But I have to meet with you first and discuss it. And I must be certain that you're off all medications."

Sandy started forming a vague plan. She'd lure Pirro into the open. That part would be easy. He'd underestimate her just like everyone else. He'd macho around, showing off, and she'd let him strut for a minute. Then, she'd blow him away. He'd die with a very surprised look on his face. She'd do it for Elena and G.o.d knows how many other women-past and future.

After the evening meal, and more medication, she felt sleepy. Cloudy thoughts swirled around in her mind. There in her drowsy fog she saw herself going after Pirro. He was standing there beside his huge vehicle. She saw herself taking out the gun and slipping the safety off. Then he got blurry and disappeared. She was drifting and floating. Looking down, she could see the blurry body of a tall, skinny man wearing a baseball cap. He was lying face down in a pond filled with blood, his body jerking with spastic movements in spite of the iron stake piercing his chest and sticking up out of his back.

It was late when she awoke. Dark outside, lights were low, and the hospital was quiet. She became aware that her legs felt tingly as though they were falling asleep. She sat up in bed and rubbed them. She gradually began to realize that she could feel the rubbing. A slight feeling but it was there, definitely tingling and somewhat stinging. She buzzed for the nurse. When the nurse came in, Sandy had tears on her cheeks. She was laughing and wiggling her toes. How delightful to wiggle your toes and feel the pull of muscle.

Chapter 27.

The next morning G.o.ddard stopped at his desk to pick up his messages and review the overnight Incident Report. A new item was listed: Accident-Fatal. In the s.p.a.ce for victim: Abelando Pirro-a name G.o.ddard had already memorized. He asked to see the Police Report. His aide said it was on the chief's desk.

"Chief, we've got an Abelando Pirro dead last night. Can I see the report?"

"Only have the prelim, happened late. He fell from a condo balcony over on Banyon. They found his body impaled on the iron fence surrounding the pool. Draped over a sharp metal picket like a dead fish on a hook. M.E. said he probably lived for hours and just bled to death. h.e.l.lava way to go. Another foot or so out and he'd just gotten wet in the pool and be sobering up this morning. Had been drinking, before he fell. Why, do you know something about it?"

"I can tell you right now, it was murder."

"How do you know? You haven't even seen the report."

"He didn't fall, he was pushed, it's murder." G.o.ddard started flipping through his notes. "Who's getting it?"

"Won't be you, your hands are full."

"It's connected, Chief," he pleaded, "part of my case. That's the address for Norma Martin. He's the bad guy who ran Sandy Reid off the road two nights ago. That's attempted murder. I was searching for him."

"This Pirro death happened on Sergeant Huress' watch," the chief said. "He investigated last night. Said it was a couple of drunken Cuban-Americans. Look at this, he got a nice statement from the girlfriend."

"Of course it's an absolutely perfect statement. She made it up."

"Huress did okay. I'm keeping him on it."

"He's not a detective, not qualified. Don't do this to me, Chief. This could be important. d.a.m.n. At least now I can stop looking for him."

G.o.ddard read the report, then stepped outside the chief's office and called Sandy. "How do you feel this morning?"

"The doctor said my temporary leg numbness was stress and strain related. He had some big name for it. I'm being released this morning."

"Great, I'm very happy for you. And you can relax, Pirro won't bother you again."

"You caught him already? That was fast. But I didn't want him caught. I wanted him dead. Well, don't put him in with my brother."

"He is dead, Sandy. Found below Elena Duarte's window. She claims it was an accident. Want to hear her statement?"

"I'm listening."

Chip started reading, ...we were such good friends. We had quite a few drinks and were making out on the couch, then we danced a little. We were waiting for my mother to come over after the restaurant closed. Then he said he wanted to make Mentiritas, he just had to have Mentiritas. I told him I thought I was out of rum. I said I'd look again. When I came back out of the kitchen, he was gone. I a.s.sumed he had gone out to get the rum. That upset me terribly because he was in no condition to drive. I was worried about him. I sat down and turned on the TV. Then I heard the sirens and saw all of the lights outside.

"Well, I'll be d.a.m.ned. You'll never know just how much trouble she saved me. Give her a medal. She made up that statement. She hated him. Apparently, the story she told me about Pirro was true." Sandy laughed. "She danced him right off the balcony. She probably pretended he was getting her hot and then pushed the b.a.s.t.a.r.d over the railing straight down to h.e.l.l. Applause please. I hope he died a slow death. I'll bet she turned up the TV to not hear his moaning down there."

"I don't know about you. It's a crime and if it were my case, I'd go after her for murder."

"Wait a minute, when did this happen, last night? Geez Louise! Chip, it was in my dream. She did it for me. Elena heard about my accident and knew immediately who ran me off the road. Pirro might even have bragged about it. Twenty-four hours later, he's dead. Chip, she killed him for me."

"That's a stretch. Maybe Pirro killed Towson, and to cover it up, Elena was told by the family to get rid of him."

"I doubt that. He was a big danger to her and her mother. The calculating little accountant from Tampa figured out a slick way to write him off. I'll just keep thinking she had me and some other women in mind."

"I still want to see you again before you leave."

"Chip, I've decided not to go-at least, not right away."

"What? Oh, you're not. You're not leaving. Oh, that's good."

"We should meet for coffee."

Sandy was discharged mid-morning. Sergeant Lewis picked her up at the emergency entrance in a blue and white and drove her to the police impound lot. He explained he should go along to be sure she had no trouble getting Ray's car released.

"Now that you're okay I can tell you how close you came. Chip radioed for an ambulance as soon as you told him you were being chased. He didn't wait to decide anything. That ambulance was screaming down that back road before you even hit the ditch. Those few extra minutes saved you. Your vehicle was upside down, the top half submerged in water. Your head was actually under mud. We don't understand how it was possible for him to shift your car enough to get that seatbelt undone while he was sinking in mud like quicksand."

"He told me he had some difficulty getting my seatbelt undone."

"Yes, the difficulty was he had to lift the car. The tow truck driver didn't see how it could be done."

Sergeant Lewis stopped his police vehicle at the impound office and turned to her. "I wanted you to know, a lot of guys in the department are coming down hard on Huress for attacking you in his pickup. He blames you for bringing charges, the formal complaint now in his file, and putting it in the newspaper. His wife certainly believed you. She and the kids went to stay with her mother in Virginia. He's the type to take revenge on you, Sandy."

"Thanks, Sarge, that was in the back of my mind. I'll be careful."

"He never gives up on a grudge. He'll try to get back at anyone who's ever caused him a problem. He knows who he's up against now. He'll be ready for you next time and come at you unexpectedly."

She signed for Ray's vehicle in the pound office and they walked together to find it. "Here it is." Lewis compared the number on the windshield to the number on the key.

"This can't be it," she said, "this is a stupid Ford. Not just a stupid Ford, it's green! I can't drive around in a stupid green Ford?"

He laughed. "You could wear a disguise."

"Yeah, a clown costume." She got in and slammed the car door shut. The glove compartment flopped open. She reached over and banged it shut hard, and the compartment door broke completely off and fell. She crossed her fingers and turned the key. After three heart-stopping cranks, the car reluctantly groaned to life, more or less. She thanked the Sergeant and blew him a kiss.

Her phone buzzed. It was attorney Kagan. "Miss Reid, glad you're okay. I know you're close to that reporter, Linda Call. Did you know the police picked her up and brought her to the station? She was seen in the interrogation room with G.o.ddard."

"So what? She's probably interviewing him."

"Definitely the other way around. They brought her in for questioning. They tested her gun. She was at the murder scene."

"I know she was there with CSI, she told me."

"No, earlier that day, she was up there with Towson."

"Oh great, she told me only that she talked to him that day. She didn't say it like they were face to face." Sandy thought about other possible lies. It gets worse. I haven't had a chance to brief you, Jerry. Linda Call isn't all she seems. She's Cuban-American and from Tampa. Why bother to lie about that?"

"If she's connected to the family, then they might have been working against us all along. They would want your brother convicted to cover up whatever is going on."

"I know, Linda could be a threat, but we could really use her help. If she's involved then there goes the cooperation with the paper. I'm going to see her now."

"You need help sooner than you think. I was just informed that your brother is scheduled for transfer out to the county jail tomorrow. Good luck, Miss Reid, and keep your head down."

Chapter 28.

Sandy hated the situation. She had to know if Linda was with her or against her. She needed Linda with her. Having the situation in doubt was impossible. Twenty-four hours were left before Raymond would go from bad to worse.

She needed a shrewd angle fast. Perhaps she could persuade Linda to get some sort of controversial editorial printed that would upset things and delay the transfer. But maybe Linda wouldn't cooperate. Maybe Linda had something else in mind.