"Or to hide her wrinkles. So you two were just talking in the dark, both fully dressed at all times, of course. You're one sad case. Does what you just said make any sense to you? Let me tell you, Sonny Barner is no match for her. If he ever accosted her, she'd aim that death ray look of hers at him until he started shaking, then with a snap of her fingers he'd dissolve down into a slippery, greasy spot."

"She seemed so defenseless, as if she needed help."

"Loraine hasn't been helpless since she threw away her pacifier and started changing her own diapers. Then again, maybe she had some other reason for shooting Barner. If in fact she did. Anyway, it's not your concern. Get out of it."

"I thought I could straighten it out. I'm going back and confront her now. She has to explain all this. I gave her a deadline of three o'clock to get a lawyer. However, I won't wait that long, if she's been lying to me." He glanced again at his watch.

"What do you mean deadline? What are you talking about?"

"I told her I'd hold off going to the police about the shooting until three. It's after one now."

"Wait, wait, wait, you're not going to the police. You are not going to the police." She put the palms of her hands on the table and leaned toward him. "Haven't you ruined my life enough for one day? Have you told anyone about my alleged rape?"

"No!"

She raised her voice, "Are you certain? I don't want to be the victim in any gossip. Any such rumors could ruin my reputation and my business. Were you so crude as to discuss it with Towson?"

"No, swear to God. I was careful not to mention it to him."

"You absolutely are not going to the police." Now she was furious, her voice was firm and sharp, "Get this straight, if you mention one word of this malicious story to anyone, including the police...especially the police. I'll sue you for defamation or whatever I can come up with. Do you have any idea what's at stake here? I get into big money real estate deals, people have to trust me. I live on my spotless reputation. It took me years to get where I am. Any little hint of impropriety could ruin me in a minute. You can't go to the police. Loraine probably made all this up anyway."

"But possibly she did murder him. If I don't go to the police, then I'm on the spot as a criminal accessory." He knew Tammy was correct. The police would interview her whether it's true or not. She'd be embarrassed, and that would be the least of her worries. The story was too good not to leak out.




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