"Go to hell."
"Huress is telling everyone she was bobbing pretty good in his front seat, before they were interrupted."
Goddard's hand struck out and grabbed Moran by the knot in his tie. When he twisted his fist, Moran's mouth gaped open in a soundless choke, his eyes widened and his face turned white. Goddard said, "You idiot, in another minute she would have handed Huress his head." He let Moran go with a hard push against the wall and walked away.
Moran yelled after him, "Your detective badge is going in the crapper. I hope you saved your uniforms because your ass is going to be back sitting in a patrol car."
Moran's hands were still shaking, trying to straighten his tie, when the chief came out in the hall. "I just ordered Goddard to bring Sandy Reid to my office and he refused. That's insubordination, Chief, and I want it noted in his file."
"Okay, but you've got to live with him until this thing is over. Call Bobby Huress, he's off duty, but you can reach him."
"I already talked to Huress. He's gone crazy too. Told me he wants nothing to do with Sandy Reid. Is the police force under your command or not? Since she got here, the whole town is upside down. Get her to my office at one o'clock. I don't care how you do it."
The chief phoned Sergeant Lewis at home. "Sergeant, excuse the Sunday call. I'm told you know how to reach Sandy Reid. I don't understand why you would know how to reach her, but that's what I'm told."
"Yeah, I can probably reach her. What do you want her for, Chief?"
"What do I want her for? None of your damn business what I want her for. Don't question my orders, sergeant. Find her now and tell her Moran wants her in his conference room at the courthouse at one today. Okay?"
"What does Moran want her for?"
After an audible sigh, the chief begged, "Just do it, sergeant."
Goddard phoned Sandy as soon as he was away from Moran. "Heads up. You've got big trouble."
"You are working on Sunday, huh. What's happening?"
"Moran wants you brought to his office today. He wants you to retract everything you've told the paper. Don't try to face him alone. Get Kagan to go with you. Watch your step, he's tricky."
She folded her phone just as it rang again. It was Linda."
"Geez, Linda, is everyone working today? Can't talk now, I have to meet with Moran."
"Bad news, Sugar. The paper called a special editorial meeting last night and decided not to print any of your stuff. They're scared to death of Moran."