"Chinese porcelain," Ray said with some excitement. "This entire cabinet is filled with Chinese porcelain."

Towson's eyes widened, pleased with the observation. "Well, I'm impressed. Yes, that is indeed genuine Export China, rare and expensive. Not one person in a hundred would know that."

Towson opened the cabinet's gla.s.s-paneled door, and took out a cup and saucer. He held out the l.u.s.trous blue and white cup and saucer. Ray folded his arms and stepped back, reluctant to touch them. Towson carried them into the huge kitchen. "The Chinese developed porcelain over two thousand years ago. These aren't quite that old." He smiled at his little joke, and set the cup and saucer on a kitchen counter.

Ray said, "No, not two thousand, but easily two or three hundred years old, and you have a cabinet full of them. I'm used to seeing such items behind gla.s.s in a museum." As fascinated as Ray was by the unexpected porcelain find, unless Tammy was hiding in a back room, he was wasting time here. This man couldn't help him. He had to politely go along and then soon leave.

Ray leaned closer to examine the cup and saucer. "I've studied some on seventeenth century history. He carefully turned the cup to examine it without picking it up. "As you know, trade was between China and wealthy Europeans. Mind if I tap the cup with this spoon?"

Towson gave a nod but the slight frown on his face said he wasn't so sure.

"Chinese porcelain like this was all the rage. The upper cla.s.ses just had to show off their china." With a gentle tap, the cup rang out with a clear bell tone. "Any ship going near China tried to load up with this valuable cargo." Ray then held the saucer high to verify that light could pa.s.s through it. "In the nineteenth century, imitation dishes flooded the world and were referred to as 'china', but they weren't porcelain." He set the pieces back down. "All of our grandmothers had a set of *fine china', some handed down generations-G.o.d only knows what it actually was. That said, without question, Sir, you are in possession of rare and genuine porcelain."

Towson nodded his head vigorously and grinned. Then said, "As you might know, foreign traders weren't permitted into mainland China. Canton was where they traded. You'll appreciate this; I have in my safe a trader's directory from the sixteenth century listing the producers of china and their representatives at Canton. It's original and in mint condition."

"Worth more than all the cups and saucers combined." Ray was interested, however, he didn't have time for all this. He didn't know how to bring up the subject of Tammy. He had to make up a reason for coming there and find an excuse to leave.

"I was given the collection ten years ago in payment for a large debt. Just a couple crates of extremely well-packed dishes, as far as I knew. Didn't even unpack them for three years, didn't know what they were. He took out a dishtowel and wiped the cup. "Cream or sugar?"

"Are you mad? Don't tell me you'd serve coffee in that rare cup."

"I bring them out like now, for my own harmless amus.e.m.e.nt. I'll hand my guest a priceless cup to use without saying anything. Most people don't react, the more knowledgeable might say, *What a nice cup.'"

"You said harmless amus.e.m.e.nt, however I feel that it's harmful to expose something irreplaceable to possible destruction. If your guests don't know the value, they might be drop it."

"You're too serious. It's exciting to be mischievous like that. When it ceases to be exciting, I'll lose interest. I broke two when I first got them fooling around like this."

"Not my place to disagree, but the moment you learned of the uniqueness of these antique pieces it became your duty to safeguard them for all time. You never truly own antiques; you simply care take them for the next generation. You may not see it that way, but you're now their custodian and protector; like when you save someone and then become responsible for them for the rest of their life."

Towson continued to fill the irreplaceable cup with hot coffee. Ray reluctantly accepted the cup and saucer. He didn't need this extra anxiety on top of his nervousness from this morning's episode with Loraine. He realized this man was sharp, and would soon get past all these social niceties and demand some answers. Why did Tammy direct him here anyway?

"Excellent. Now down to your business for being here. You must have some influence somewhere if Meg Emerson invited you to her party. That was a high-powered group. Tammy was there, the tall-let's call her healthy looking-young woman. Did you meet her? You were talking with Loraine, right?"

Then Ray understood-they were all at Meg's party. He began to feel more at ease. Now, he could place this man who looked like a dignitary, and had moved easily about the party.

Ray also remembered being introduced to an attractive woman his own age. Her degree of beauty was instantly intimidating. That must have been Tammy. How could he have forgotten? He could picture her now, a tall brunette who was by far the best-looking woman in the room, if not the state.

So, that's who he was looking for. That woman was raped? When he put a face to the name, the rape took on a chilling new significance. Strange Loraine didn't mention Tammy was at the party. And she referred to Tammy as her best friend yet he didn't recall them talking. Plus, Loraine must be twenty years older.

"You might not remember me as you were fully occupied checking out Loraine, who appeared rather wild, by the way. She indeed has kept herself together. Not bad for over seventy."

"Wha-Loraine, seventy?" Ray tightened his grip on the antique cup and Towson noticed his astonishment.

"Seventy-something, in there someplace. Yes, must give her credit. Always worked out, took care of her body. So, why do I have the honor of you at my doorstep?"

Ray didn't have a ready answer. He was still working on the image of Loraine squirming naked on the motel bed teasing him at the age of seventy.

Being evasive didn't seem to be a good tactic. He had to get things moving and was running out of time. With all his casual conversation, the man didn't appear to have heard about the rape. He took a chance. "In fact, it's Tammy I'm looking for."

"Oh, that's right, you're new in town. In the market for some property, are you? Well, Tammy can certainly use the business. She's struggling right now." He studied Ray's face for a moment then frowned and took a menacing step toward him. "Wait a minute, I smell a rat. Why come here for Tammy? You want a Realtor you let your fingers do the walking." His genteel manner was gone. "I don't like people who use deception to get into my private home. I can see it now in your shifty eyes. What are you after?"

He stared fiercely at Ray, raised his fist, and then unexpectedly slammed it on the kitchen counter rattling dishes in a kitchen cabinet. Ray flinched and to his horror, the cup fell from his hand to the marble tiled floor. Pieces scattered like confetti. Hot coffee burned his fingers and splashed on his ankle.

Towson ignored the broken cup. "What's going on, fella?" He was almost at Ray's nose now with his eyes narrowed and full of fire. "You didn't even know she was a Realtor did you? Who sent you? Are you after her or me?"

"You're right, I didn't know she was a Realtor." Ray struggled to speak, his hand and his ankle burned severely. Trying to think fast he lied, "I misunderstood. I thought it was her own property she was trying to sell."

Towson slammed his fist on the counter again, harder. "Another lie. You lied to get in here didn't you?"

Ray didn't dare answer. He closed his eyes. He didn't know how this guy fit into the puzzle and he didn't want to explain about the text. And since the man displayed some concern for Tammy, Ray positively didn't want to be the one to tell him about the rape, and didn't want to be there if the phone suddenly rang with the news.

"Sir, I've made a terrible mistake, I'll leave. I'll pay for the cup." He made a move toward the door but Towson stepped in front of him.

"Not until I get some answers. Something phony going on here. What's my name?"

"What?"

"My name, what is it?"

"Al-Thompson."

"Towson. You don't know who I am, do you?"

Ray slowly shook his head.

"Now that I believe. If you don't know who I am, then most likely you're after Tammy not me. Everyone knows you left the party with Loraine. Most likely, you discovered she's a dried-up ice cube. Now you're going after the juicy end of the scale with Tammy. You saw her at the party. You're trying to track her down. So you come here sniffing around for her. You're weird, truly weird."

Ray tried to back up but was already against the kitchen wall. "Look Mr. Towson, I've made a big mistake. I apologize. I'll just leave, won't bother you again."

"You're dreaming about getting close to her. She wouldn't touch you anyway, certainly not after I phone her." Towson took his arm and gave him a hard shove toward the door.

"I'll pay for the cup, whatever it costs," He said over his shoulder as Towson hustled him out.

"No, my fault, and you'd be paying for it the rest of your life. Too bad about your coffee burns. Here's something else to remember me by, a warning to take with you. You wouldn't believe all the folks around Florida who would love to do me a favor. I have a couple of friends that do special things for me. I'm putting the word out on you. If I hear somebody is bothering Tammy, they'll come after you."

Ray was out the door. Off balance, he wavered down the hall. He caught the elevator just as a slender man in gray coveralls stepped off. The man smirked when he saw Ray sucking on his hand like a two year old.

Why would a cla.s.sy guy like Towson show off Tammy at a party if she's as s.l.u.tty as Loraine says, and not particular about her bed partners? Something must be up if the text directed him to this address. And he did get that text.

He had promised Loraine he'd wait a couple more hours. He'd give it one more shot. If he couldn't find Tammy, then he'd go to the police. Maybe he should run to the police immediately. It might be safer than waiting for those friends of Towson to find him.

Chapter 5.

Back on the street, hurrying away from the disastrous encounter with Al Towson, Ray spotted a drugstore. He needed something for his scorched hand, and he needed a phone book. The pharmacist sold him some ointment and a bandage. Ray pleaded for one stray, by chance leftover tranquilizer, but the pharmacist wouldn't oblige.

Towson had remarked that Tammy was in real estate, and indeed, Ray found a listing for Tammy Jerrold. He hoped Towson hadn't phoned her yet. She answered sounding businesslike and agreed to meet him. She suggested coffee and gave him directions to the corner restaurant near her office.

He wondered which Tammy would show up, the pushover described by Loraine or the statuesque beauty under Towson's wing. He pictured her again at the party, of course, that was before her ordeal.

How can he convince her it's important to report the rape to get her friend Loraine out of trouble? He doesn't even know Tammy. What does he say?

The small restaurant had booths on one side, tables across the front window and small palms positioned in each corner. The noon crowd was just starting. She sat quietly by the window. She wore her brown hair chin-length and was dressed for her real estate agent role in a beige suit with a smart white blouse. All matched with a brown suede satchel handbag, which rested on the window ledge beside her. She was remarkably attractive and perfectly composed.

She offered her hand. "When you phoned I had to think a minute, but I do remember you from the party."

He studied her face for evidence of the a.s.sault-no sign of physical distress. He supposed her stylish sungla.s.ses might hide a blacken eye. And there's the magic of makeup.

"I can see why Loraine would be interested in you," she said. "You seem to be her type. Serious people tend to attract each other."

"Anyone Loraine's type should be locked up."

"You'll have to explain that. She was dressed a little flashy at the party. I don't have the nerve to dress like that. She must have been high-flirting around."

"Maybe I caught her in a merrymaking mood."

"I didn't know she had one. What happened to your hand?"

"Burn, I was careless. Bought something at the drugstore. Used my left hand to wrap it."

"Without a doubt the worst bandage job I've ever seen. Let me rewrap it for you, I used to be a candy striper."

"No thanks, it's going to be okay." Her composure surprised him. Cordial chatting wasn't what he expected. This wasn't a woman in need of solace.

"Should I be frightened or flattered about your phone call?" The waitress brought her tea and he ordered coffee. "You sounded surprised I agreed to meet you."

Ray glanced at his watch. "Can we stop right here, Tammy. You have me confused. Why did you direct me to Al Towson?"

"I don't get you. You went to see the senator?"

His eyes widened. "Al Towson is a senator? You're joking!" So, Ray had not only aggravated a prominent official, he had destroyed his valuable cup as well.

"Sure, a state senator not federal. You were introduced to him at the party, didn't you catch that? He's running for Governor next year. Should be a landslide. I might be on his campaign staff and go with him to Tallaha.s.see."

"That explains several things. So, you two are an item, as they say. He's helping you with your-problem?"

"Problem? You mean the lousy real estate market? No, he's not helping me with anything, and we were never involved. I used to work for him on his staff at City Hall when he was mayor. We're not seeing each other, he just didn't want to go to that party alone."

"Just escorting you?"

"Yes, a holdover from when I worked for him as his personal a.s.sistant. He'd get loads of invitations to everywhere-you name it-and countless free tickets. If he wasn't seeing anyone special, or just didn't want to go somewhere alone, he'd call to see if I was interested. His driver would pick me up and take me home. Back then at a party, he might go off and huddle up with some people, and I'd spend the evening picking cashews out of nut bowls. That was years ago. Selling real estate's a tough gig, and I get sales leads from being in the loop and being seen with him."

For the last few minutes, Ray had enjoyed looking at her and listening. She looked so perfect there across the table that she took his mind from the muddled Loraine mess and the broken cup. She appeared to Ray as an educated, cla.s.sy woman, nothing like the loose woman described by Loraine. This woman displayed high self-esteem and wasn't likely to tolerate any abuse.

She sat back. "Hey, I'm doing all the talking. Why on earth did you go to his apartment?"

"The text message you sent about an hour ago."

"Not me, how would I have your number?"

"I left it on your machine."

"Haven't checked lately. What's going on?"

"I was looking for you. This is awkward Tammy. I know what happened. Loraine told me all about it. You're handling it very well."

"You were looking for me at Towson's?" She pulled closer to the table. "Why would I be at his place?"

"I know you don't want to discuss this, especially with me. But Loraine wants to help and can't locate you. She's worried." He glanced around at the tables near them and lowered his voice, "We believe it's important for you to report the rape to the police."

With a jolt, she was up out of her chair shoving it backward and pointed at him. "Who are you?"

People around them stopped talking and looked over. She gave an uneasy glance around and sat back down. He stared at her unsure of what to say. She leaned toward him, and in a hushed tone asked, "Is this some sick joke? You think I was-raped?" Her face was red.

"It gets worse, if that's possible. Loraine left you and went after Sonny Barner. Found him and shot him. You might be telling yourself it was excusable date rape, however now he's dead, and she killed him because of you."

"Barner? Barner?" She wadded her napkin and threw it on the table. "Why are you talking crazy to me?" She brought her hands to her face.

"I'm just telling you what Loraine told me."

"Then she lied to you, none of it's true. What do you have to do with it anyway? Get this, I didn't send you any text, n.o.body raped me, I have nothing to do with Loraine, and she has nothing to do with me. She's definitely not a friend. We like it that way. Furthermore, I think you're sick. Go. Leave. Now."

This can't be true. Loraine told him she saw Tammy suffering and said Norma Martin was there too. Someone's lying. He had to press it. "Take off your sungla.s.ses."

"You're weird and I'm out of here." She shoved her teacup aside and stood.

He also stood. "Not yet, please humor me. Just take off your sungla.s.ses and then I'll go."

She shrugged and propped her sungla.s.ses up on her hair, put her hands on her hips and leaned forward challenging him with mock wide eyes. What he saw was an unblemished face with perfect skin and warm blue eyes, which at that moment were dilated with anger.

All at once, the situation became clear to him. He nearly collapsed into his chair. Loraine had lied. That whole routine in the motel room meant-what? There was no rape. She must have had some other reason for shooting Barner. "Oh, G.o.d I'm so sorry. Please sit back down. What have I done?"

He was there embarra.s.sing this poor woman for no reason at all. He had no defense, no excuse. In a low voice, "I believe you and I apologize. Will you help me? Do you even know this Barner? Have you ever dated him?"

She sat down still agitated. "Do you know what fat chance means? He's the town bug man, not that there's anything wrong with that. The man might be okay, but definitely not socializing material. How did he get into this anyway? You say he's dead? Anything else? How about those s.p.a.ce ships you've seen? And those CIA agents who are gathered in town ready to launch their sinister plot? Can I leave and go back to the real world now?"

"I deserved that, I truly don't know what's going on." Either she was lying or Loraine had lied to him. Neither possibility made any sense.

"You know you can check your phone to see where that text came from. Are you the one lying?"

"I did check, but the origin didn't mean anything to me."

"You have colossal nerve to come here without even knowing me and laying all this on me. What sort of man are you?"