Ray found it difficult to believe events were happening so fast. Sandy was with him in the visiting room, and he was talking to Kagan on her phone.

Kagan was saying, "Not a done deal, but it looks good. They want you out only so Sandy will shut up and leave town. For the first time they're talking bail. Nevertheless, they've set it high, a half million. You'd need to put up ten-percent, cash or collateral. Do you own any real estate? Can you pledge $50,000?"

"No way. I have some securities worth that much, my life savings. Although, if I borrowed against it, I wouldn't get the full amount."

"Part of the deal is you must sit quietly like a good little boy, not talk to the newspaper or anyone and put a muzzle on your sister. She leaves town, and they never hear about her again. That's a big concession for them considering you're still the only suspect they have. You'd be free," the attorney said.

Ray was holding the phone so Sandy could hear. "Free from custody yet still under arrest," she said. "And if we must remain inactive, then how do we prepare our defense? How do we develop other suspects for reasonable doubt? I'd love to have you out, Raymond. Even so, I don't like the offer. If he wants me out of town, he'll have to ship me out in a box."

"Okay, I understand, and I don't have the $50,000 anyway."

"Perhaps there's room to negotiate," she said. "Moran's shabby conference room get-together with me didn't go well for him. He was shaking when I left. In fact, this might all be a bluff."

"Don't overplay your hand," Kagan warned. "If you've got a state attorney talking bail, you'd better grab it."

"Sandy, I wasn't going to tell you this, I'm not doing very well behind bars."

"No kidding. I've watched you deteriorate, you look like a train wreck."

"It's more than that. Sometimes I sit on the edge of the bed for an hour, as if my brain switched off. Other times, I believe I'm starting to suffocate. Take any offer to get me out of custody. Then you can go home. I know you're clever, and he's no match for you. Just get me out into the open spaces."

She looked at her pale brother rubbing his cuffed hands-her innocent brother. A nervous tic on his right eyelid was at that moment fluttering like a trapped bird. She could just accept Moran's offer, and her brother would be relieved of all of this. Was there anything more important?

"I don't know how you handle stress as you do. You're so bold and self-assured," he said.




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