"I can see you're trembling in your boots," the chief said. "How did you finagle that?"

Moran chuckled. "The judge instructed our Office to assist Reid in finding suitable counsel, so I suggested Kagan. Reid didn't know any better and accepted him."

Goddard was surprised the judge went for it. Somehow, he felt guilty about the underhanded setup. Anyway, it wasn't up to him to suggest counsel for the defense.

He recalled that old Jerry Kagan had dropped out of sight two years ago after facing Moran and losing a dramatic case. Kagan had defended an abused woman against the charge of murdering her violent husband. Kagan lost on a technicality when Moran was able to keep despicable details of the husband's evil past out of the trial.

The woman was convicted. Each Christmas, they say, she sends Kagan a pleasant card from prison holding him blameless and thanking him for trying to help her. And now he hates the holiday season that signals the arrival of the unwanted reminder.

Goddard always found Kagan straight, a gentleman who just never really made it. Anybody's guess how sharp he was now. Shouldn't be much of a challenge. Goddard felt sorry for him having to face the ruthless state attorney again. No one liked to interact with Little Bonaparte. That's what some called him, not only for the physical similarities-baby faced, short and stocky-but for his imperious personality as well. Goddard certainly didn't care for him.

At the requested meeting, Reid gave his statement relating the motel rendezvous with Loraine Dellin, the text message directing him to Al Towson's apartment, the encounter with Towson and the meeting with Tammy Jerrold. Goddard studied his face and decided the suspect didn't believe his own words. Goddard knew, considering the town's mood, even the most logical statement wasn't going to get Reid released, and his statement was far from logical. Moran wasn't about to buy some half-baked, innocent bystander tale.

Kagan concluded by saying he hoped that after hearing the explanation of why his client was at the victim's apartment, Moran might permit bail, while they checked out Reid's story. Goddard quickly protested. It was unnecessary. No way was Moran going to let this guy out of jail.

After returning the suspect to his cell, Goddard reported to the chief, who asked, "What's he look like, Chip?"

"Ordinary, I guess kind of nerdy. He's seems a little out of it. Made a strange statement, Moran is sending over a copy. Some townies were named."

"For example?"

"He claims Loraine Dellin shot Sonny Barner who had raped Tammy Jerrold. Can you believe that?"

"Are we talking about this town? Say it again."




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