The sergeant replied, "I see you're from Philadelphia, Miss. We do things different in Florida."
She gave him a courteous smile and repeated, "We do things different in Florida? Is that what you said? What's a good-looking cop like you doing with such an old cliché? Please put me in touch with the DA immediately. You people are interfering with the defense in a capital case."
The sergeant chuckled, "Okay, show the young lady the log book. And Miss, if you're going to storm through Florida like a Category 5, you should know that we don't have District Attorneys down here. That's what I meant by doing things differently. Florida is divided into judicial districts, each with a state attorney who does the prosecuting. Just say SA, and ASA for his assistants, and everyone will know you're cool."
She gave him a smile so warm and beautiful he no doubt would tell his grandkids about it. "Thank you Sergeant Lewis and I apologize for my attitude. I'll appreciate any additional help you can give me."
She leaned toward Ray and whispered, "You can close your mouth now."
"What have they done with my little sister?"
The officer brought the logbook over and she started copying. "Wake up, Raymond. Can't you read people? That woman obviously has something going for her. She comes in here offering her help, and you don't even find out her name?" She glanced down at her writing. "Megan Emerson." She stared at him. "Emerson, Emerson, got it? She's darling. Where is your head? The question remains, whose side is she on, and why is she helping someone like you?"
"She was just here on business from the office. Do you realize everyone is this room thinks you're a lawyer?"
"Not my problem. Okay, here we go. I read about the murder in your local paper. Tell me your story. Give me the short version now, we can do nuance later. Make it quick. I need to crash someplace, I drove straight through."
Each time he told his story, it sounded more implausible to him. He barely got started when she interrupted him. "Who did you say invited you to that Saturday night party?"
"Her, that Meg Emerson."
She put down her pad and pencil and gave him a frustrated smirk. "Let me get this straight. The young woman who just came in here to visit you...even though you're in jail accused of murder...the one that just happens, by some amazing coincidence, to buzz around your desk every day, gave a party and invited you?"
"Yes…?"
"Geez Louise!"
"I know what you're thinking, but in any case, Meg Emerson isn't interested in me. She's a big deal broker, really in the fast lane. She took over a bank trust department straight out of college, made them a ton of money. They were thrilled, gave her a marvelous title, a splendid office and paid her peanuts."