Ray tried to back up but was already against the kitchen wall. “Look Mr. Towson, I’ve made a big mistake. I apologize. I’ll just leave, won’t bother you again.”
“You’re dreaming about getting close to her. She wouldn’t touch you anyway, certainly not after I phone her.” Towson took his arm and gave him a hard shove toward the door.
“I’ll pay for the cup, whatever it costs,” He said over his shoulder as Towson hustled him out.
“No, my fault, and you’d be paying for it the rest of your life. Too bad about your coffee burns. Here’s something else to remember me by, a warning to take with you. You wouldn’t believe all the folks around Florida who would love to do me a favor. I have a couple of friends that do special things for me. I’m putting the word out on you. If I hear somebody is bothering Tammy, they’ll come after you.”
Ray was out the door. Off balance, he wavered down the hall. He caught the elevator just as a slender man in gray coveralls stepped off. The man smirked when he saw Ray sucking on his hand like a two year old.
Why would a classy guy like Towson show off Tammy at a party if she’s as slutty as Loraine says, and not particular about her bed partners? Something must be up if the text directed him to this address. And he did get that text.
He had promised Loraine he’d wait a couple more hours. He’d give it one more shot. If he couldn’t find Tammy, then he’d go to the police. Maybe he should run to the police immediately. It might be safer than waiting for those friends of Towson to find him.
Chapter 5
Back on the street, hurrying away from the disastrous encounter with Al Towson, Ray spotted a drugstore. He needed something for his scorched hand, and he needed a phone book. The pharmacist sold him some ointment and a bandage. Ray pleaded for one stray, by chance leftover tranquilizer, but the pharmacist wouldn’t oblige.
Towson had remarked that Tammy was in real estate, and indeed, Ray found a listing for Tammy Jerrold. He hoped Towson hadn’t phoned her yet. She answered sounding businesslike and agreed to meet him. She suggested coffee and gave him directions to the corner restaurant near her office.
He wondered which Tammy would show up, the pushover described by Loraine or the statuesque beauty under Towson’s wing. He pictured her again at the party, of course, that was before her ordeal.
How can he convince her it’s important to report the rape to get her friend Loraine out of trouble? He doesn’t even know Tammy. What does he say?
The small restaurant had booths on one side, tables across the front window and small palms positioned in each corner. The noon crowd was just starting. She sat quietly by the window. She wore her brown hair chin-length and was dressed for her real estate agent role in a beige suit with a smart white blouse. All matched with a brown suede satchel handbag, which rested on the window ledge beside her. She was remarkably attractive and perfectly composed.
She offered her hand. “When you phoned I had to think a minute, but I do remember you from the party.”
He studied her face for evidence of the assault—no sign of physical distress. He supposed her stylish sunglasses might hide a blacken eye. And there’s the magic of makeup.
“I can see why Loraine would be interested in you,” she said. “You seem to be her type. Serious people tend to attract each other.”
“Anyone Loraine’s type should be locked up.”
“You’ll have to explain that. She was dressed a little flashy at the party. I don’t have the nerve to dress like that. She must have been high—flirting around.”
“Maybe I caught her in a merrymaking mood.”
“I didn’t know she had one. What happened to your hand?”
“Burn, I was careless. Bought something at the drugstore. Used my left hand to wrap it.”
“Without a doubt the worst bandage job I’ve ever seen. Let me rewrap it for you, I used to be a candy striper.”
“No thanks, it’s going to be okay.” Her composure surprised him. Cordial chatting wasn’t what he expected. This wasn’t a woman in need of solace.
“Should I be frightened or flattered about your phone call?” The waitress brought her tea and he ordered coffee. “You sounded surprised I agreed to meet you.”
Ray glanced at his watch. ”Can we stop right here, Tammy. You have me confused. Why did you direct me to Al Towson?”
“I don’t get you. You went to see the senator?”
His eyes widened. “Al Towson is a senator? You’re joking!” So, Ray had not only aggravated a prominent official, he had destroyed his valuable cup as well.
“Sure, a state senator not federal. You were introduced to him at the party, didn’t you catch that? He’s running for Governor next year. Should be a landslide. I might be on his campaign staff and go with him to Tallahassee.”
“That explains several things. So, you two are an item, as they say. He’s helping you with your—problem?”
“Problem? You mean the lousy real estate market? No, he’s not helping me with anything, and we were never involved. I used to work for him on his staff at City Hall when he was mayor. We’re not seeing each other, he just didn’t want to go to that party alone.”
“Just escorting you?”
“Yes, a holdover from when I worked for him as his personal assistant. He’d get loads of invitations to everywhere—you name it—and countless free tickets. If he wasn’t seeing anyone special, or just didn’t want to go somewhere alone, he’d call to see if I was interested. His driver would pick me up and take me home. Back then at a party, he might go off and huddle up with some people, and I’d spend the evening picking cashews out of nut bowls. That was years ago. Selling real estate’s a tough gig, and I get sales leads from being in the loop and being seen with him.”
For the last few minutes, Ray had enjoyed looking at her and listening. She looked so perfect there across the table that she took his mind from the muddled Loraine mess and the broken cup. She appeared to Ray as an educated, classy woman, nothing like the loose woman described by Loraine. This woman displayed high self-esteem and wasn’t likely to tolerate any abuse.
She sat back. “Hey, I’m doing all the talking. Why on earth did you go to his apartment?”
“The text message you sent about an hour ago.”
“Not me, how would I have your number?”
“I left it on your machine.”
“Haven’t checked lately. What’s going on?”
“I was looking for you. This is awkward Tammy. I know what happened. Loraine told me all about it. You’re handling it very well.”
“You were looking for me at Towson’s?” She pulled closer to the table. “Why would I be at his place?”
“I know you don’t want to discuss this, especially with me. But Loraine wants to help and can’t locate you. She’s worried.” He glanced around at the tables near them and lowered his voice, “We believe it’s important for you to report the rape to the police.”
With a jolt, she was up out of her chair shoving it backward and pointed at him. “Who are you?”
People around them stopped talking and looked over. She gave an uneasy glance around and sat back down. He stared at her unsure of what to say. She leaned toward him, and in a hushed tone asked, “Is this some sick joke? You think I was—raped?” Her face was red.
“It gets worse, if that’s possible. Loraine left you and went after Sonny Barner. Found him and shot him. You might be telling yourself it was excusable date rape, however now he’s dead, and she killed him because of you.”