"Loraine, on the other hand, tried to shove me off her front porch when I told her who I was," Sandy continued. "I was lucky she didn't eat me alive. Something's wrong there, Raymond. I can't believe you got cozy with that nut case." She quickly put her hand to her mouth and glanced at Meg. "Whoops, sorry, she a friend of yours?"
"I know her from business, that's all. She can be a pain. Says all brokers are trying to rip her off. All the guests at my party were centers of influence, except for you, Ray. That's why I invited them. Sorry I invited her. Is there any way I can help with all this?"
"That would be great, if you want to," Sandy said. "So, you deal in securities and financial matters. I guess you have access to credit and financial reports on people?"
"All the time."
"Then I'm going to get real pushy. Can you pull reports on Loraine, Tammy, Norma Martin, Sonny Barner, Towson and the Postmaster General? I'm joking about that last one, but you get the idea...everyone connected with the case. Is that too much?"
"Oh, Sandy, I'd like to help, but I don't dare to give you actual reports on anyone. My securities license mandates strict privacy. What are you after?"
"Financial problems, lawsuits, convictions and such. I understand your delicate situation. I suppose social security numbers are out. What about birth dates? With a birth date I can go online."
"Can't do, but how's this. I'll quietly review a few things myself and let you know if anything suspicious pops up. I already have files on everyone you named except Norma and Barner. I'll get back to you. Give me your number. I must go now. You two have serious things to cover." Meg said her goodbyes.
Sandy watched her leave. "Impressive woman. Okay, Raymond, where were we? Ah, yes, back to the seductive woman who drives her lovers to disaster. Loraine's a femme fatale, and you're a convenient doofus."
"That's not fair, Sandy, I didn't want to discuss it while Meg was here, but the woman you're describing isn't the one I slept with after that party."
"Bullshit, men will screw anything that moves and an astonishing variety of things that don't."
"Well, she wasn't just a thing. She was something and a damn attractive something. Excuse me for being human."
"And you were helplessly ensnared in her bonds of irresistible desire. Next, you'll tell me she was also a virgin. Get off it. She lifted her skirt, and you charged off to tilt at windmills. Your bizarre sex drive got you in jail and got me down here ruining my life to help you."