That evening, Sandy left Ray's apartment and walked the two blocks to the corner convenience store for munchies. After the sandwich with Linda, she had worked straight through until after dark doing research on her tablet. Too late to cook now even if she had wanted to.
She was pleased with her initial meeting with Linda Call. She had accomplished a crucial part of her purpose. A sympathetic connection with the reporter now seemed possible.
As she came back out of the store, a uniformed cop was standing directly in front leaning against the hood of a red pickup. The truck was large with an oversized bulging grill, an appropriate match for the big and out of shape cop.
"Well, imagine running into you here." His voice had the smarmy tone of self-importance. "I'm Sergeant Huress, Bobby Huress. I know who you are."
She remembered Chip's comments about him. "Bobby Huress, huh? Are you on the Towson case?"
"Well, not officially. I do things for Moran now and then. I want to talk to you."
"Sure. Too late tonight, though. How about we talk tomorrow?"
"No, it's important. We could just sit here in my truck for a minute."
She looked at the sergeant in his uniform, then at his pickup and then around at the brightly lit parking lot with people going in and out of the store.
"There's something I can do to help your brother. I'll explain. It'll just take a minute."
He held the truck door open for her. After some hesitation, she slid in.
"Pretty nice huh?" he said.
"What's that?"
"My truck." He settled in on the driver's side. "I understand you want to help your brother, Not as easy as it sounds. To do it all yourself, you'd have to know your way around. You'd have to run around to weird places you've never been before. And talk to important lawyers and the police. Face up to all kinds of strangers and be ready with smart answers. It could get real creepy for a young woman. A pretty girl like you shouldn't be worrying about such stuff." He chuckled slightly. "I bet all the guys tell you you're pretty."
Geez, another man who underestimates her. "Huress, talk about the case, do we have anything to discuss?" She should have trusted her instincts. This was a waste of time.
"Well, I might be able to help you. People listen to me down here. You know what I mean, a sergeant on the police force? No doubt, I could get your brother out immediately, if I wanted to bad enough. It would be up to you. Know what I'm saying? Let me take you somewhere, and we can talk."