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“And?”
“Sandy rolled her eyes. Said Glenna explained her cut better than she explained anything else.”
“Did Sandy know the fee?”
“She named it before I did.”
“Did she appear frightened?”
“No.”
“Impaired?”
“She’d had a beer, but she wasn’t drunk.”
“Did anyone appear to be controlling her?”
“Not while I was talking to her.”
The AUSA leans forward. “So you believed she was there voluntarily.”
“I chose to believe it.”
“That isn’t what I asked.”
“It’s the answer you’re getting.” I hold his gaze. “She knew the fee. She knew Clint’s name. She complained about Glenna taking too much. Every part of my rule was satisfied.”
“But?”
“But I’d already learned that the rules could be changed. A woman could be coached. She could know the words and still not know where the night ended.”
“Did you know that was true of Sandy?”
“No.”
“Did you suspect it?”
I look at the red light.
“I suspected enough that I should’ve done more.”
Torres speaks before the AUSA can. “What happened after you introduced them?”
“Clint put his hand on Sandy’s back. She went with him to a booth.”
“Did he force her?”
“No.”
“Threaten her?”
“Not where I could see.”
“And when they left?”
“They walked out together.”
I stop. Torres waits.