He kept writing for several minutes after Ray had stopped. He thumbed forward and backward through the pad's pages. "Why would Loraine Dellin make up such a fairy-tale? Incredible. Two murders out there and you're connected to both, plus a rape."
"She connects me to Barner because we discussed him, and Tammy Jerrold knows I saw Towson because I told her."
"What do the police know? Did you tell them this story?"
Ray tried to remember what he had said to Detective Goddard. "I gave him all the background info he asked for. He asked how I knew Towson and where I was that afternoon. I said I met him at the party last week. I didn't answer his question on where I was the afternoon of the shooting."
"At least you stopped talking." Kagan spoke slowly. Ray couldn't visualize him commanding any courtroom attention. "What evidence do you think they have to justify an arrest? Any prior arrests? Do you own a gun?"
"Nothing."
"Not nothing, for one thing your burned hand is evidence of an argument. Any previous arguments, perhaps at the party or such as that?"
"Didn't talk to him at the party. And he was alive when I left him Saturday." Ray was warming up to this person and feeling better. Maybe there was hope.
"Indeed, as far as we know, their total case right now is you happened to meet him on the day he was shot. Let's hope someone saw him or talked to him after you left, someone other than the murderer."
"I thought he was going to phone Tammy and warn her about me. That would show he was alive after I left. She said he didn't. Also, can we get the police to check out who sent me that text message with Towson's address? It's on my phone."
"We need to hire our own investigator." He drew a dollar sign in the corner of his yellow pad and pointed to it. Ray saw it and understood. Kagan continued, "Okay, here's what we do. They have you scheduled for a First Appearance in front of the judge at two. Before that happens, I want you to tell your story to Larry Moran. He's the state attorney for this jurisdiction. He has absolute power over your incarceration."
"That doesn't sound good."
"He has assistant state attorneys, nevertheless he handles high-profile cases personally. He's a real cutthroat. Don't expect any pleasantries. Even so, your statement can't hurt. You've nothing to hide. I'll go see him right now to set it up. They should be eager to get your statement. Perhaps we'll get an idea of the evidence they have. They won't drop the charges, however we might do enough good to get you bonded out of here." Kagan stood to leave. "Okay, before I go, is there anything I can handle for you personally?"