"It was on your mind. Admit it now. You've an unidentified woman on your mind, or you wouldn't have put me in your little joke."
"Do you read tea leaves too?"
"Yes, but I'm better at men. You realize, of course, that Mrs. Crawford will tell me things she'd never tell you."
"Perhaps you're right but stay away for now. Maybe I can use that angle later."
"You mean maybe we can use that angle later."
"Don't get presumptuous, Sandy. We aren't working this case together, get it? I'll welcome your input as long as you don't become a loose cannon. Do you know how far I'm sticking my neck out just talking with you? Moran would love to catch me smiling at you."
"You're right. Go do your cop thing. Do I detect a hint of animosity between you and the state attorney?"
"No secret there. He doesn't like me either. Little Bonaparte is a tyrant with far too much power. In their Judicial District, state attorneys have tremendous control over life and liberty. The system is very efficient. Moran simply states what he wants and the judge gives it to him. No conflicts. And everyone other than the defendant has a nice day."
"Great, the guy who has a noose around my brother's neck is a bully and a jerk. I hope you don't mean he's crooked?"
"The cold-blooded bastard would ignore evidence, if he believed it would punch his ticket to Washington." He appeared uncomfortable with the subject. He straightened and pushed away the empty mug. "You have anything else you'd like to share with me?"
She had a sexy response to his question that she didn't dare use. She put a napkin to her mouth to hide her evil smile. She cleared her throat. "I went to the Inn Towner. Loraine was definitely there. The maids said she was lounging around, wearing a thong and flirting with Raymond. Personally, I find flirting while wearing a thong redundant."
"She already admitted to me she was there with Reid."
"Oh, good, but I'll bet she didn't admit she was wearing a thong? What does that tell you? Does that fit in with her explanation for being there? Doesn't that indicate deviousness on her part?"
"No comment. Were you able to establish when she left the motel?"
"All I know is she left before the noon checkout time. Guess I've struck out again with useless information."
"Keep trying"
"Okay, then tell me something about yourself," she said. "Why does a nice person like you take a job frightening people and ordering them around?"
"I was about to ask you the same thing."