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The restaurant wasn't open, the sign said four o'clock Ray drove around back where a worker was picking up trash around the dirt parking lot He said of course he knows Norma Martin-she owns the place

Ray's phone buzzed, a text ood, he had left a ets a text back See to talk

The Jardin Café and Norma could wait He hurried back into town, asked directions and found the Ambassador Arms: seven floors of apartments converted to condohborhood The i over-done architecture was now out of style, still the charoing for her to find refuge in this part of town

The street door was unlocked and the inner lobby door locked as expected He stood reading the Owner Directory, feeling conspicuous even though no one was in sight This wasn't the sort of building to wander around in, knocking on doors and asking about some woman he had never met The directory listed 701 to A Towson Ray pushed the button, heard the door buzz and was in

He stepped off the carpeted elevator onto the gleaany paneled walls and costly framed mirrors His first impression was of a renovated mansion This was the top floor and he noticed just one other unit Before he could knock, the door to 701 opened and facing hie athlete Ray guessed that with the gray hair at the temples he was in his sixties He wore jeans and a loose dress shirt with rolled up sleeves

The -"

"Sorry to interrupt yourstupid with no idea who the man was and no idea what to say next He didn't dare to explain the situation and decided it wasn't wise to mention Tammy's name at this point Perhaps she was inside

The uy in town I was expecting a reporter, co a reporter? Perhaps about the rape or the ht have o in the kitchen Still some coffee left We've ain?"

"Ray Reid Coffee sounds good, thanks" He followed the , hardwood floors dotted with antique, oriental rugs and heavy furniture pieces in glooods He glanced around, taking in the elegance He recognized one of the paintings on the wall He couldn't think of the artist