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“Alleged perp,” I said His jaw clenched “The case has acquired a nickname, huh?”

“Let’s just say it’s not representative of our caseload” He s— minorities

“Well, you e the name, if the evidence I have for Willard turns up any other leads” I waved the tape before him “The surveillance camera showed so and leaving ten or fifteen uy” I held up the photo

Derry did a double-take and squinted at the ie “Looks familiar May I?” He took the photo and examined it

“Do you watch old ster flick”

One corner of Derry’shis head, he said, “So to Willard”

I had hoped to deliver the photo to Willard myself In the spirit of détente, I let hiure it out, you agree to tell me who it is and where you’ve seen him”

His mouth pursed and his mustache curled over his bottom lip “You know I can’t promise that It’s not even my case”

Trying not to appear desperate, I looked hi to a cop Jesus!

Sighing, he said, “I’ll see what I can do”

On the way back to the office, I resolved to set up a tiang and the kid who’d been at her house around the time of the murder No doubt, she felt abandoned and scared in detention I wanted to tell her I was doing everything I could to get her sprung, without raising her hopes

On the phone, I was bounced around to various people, until being handed off to the superintendent

“Ms McRae, I understand you wish to visit your client, Tina Jackson?”

“That’s right” So They wouldn’t route e a siirls with toothbrush shivs Fear gripped ht?”