Sandy wasn't buying it. "I was working in the apartment for a couple of hours before I went out. You just parked out front?"

"For awhile, thinking you were just changing clothes and would head back out. I started to leave when I saw Huress pull up. Then I got interested because maybe he was on the clock, and I'd stumbled onto some investigation. You might say I staked out the cop on the stakeout. Later he followed you to the store. I followed him. He never saw me. I was across the street watching you guys."

"I shouldn't have gotten in with him. I thought I could learn something."

"Most men are either horny or hungry. If you see one not eating, just figure he's got an erection."

Sandy didn't completely believe her story and was upset with herself for trusting Linda too soon. "I suspected he was stalking me."

"Huress has been in trouble before. He used to be Towson's official driver when he was mayor. He was caught filling up his personal vehicles using the city's gas credit card. He offered to pay for the charges, and it was all hushed up. Nevertheless, Towson tried to get Huress fired over it."

"Meaning, Huress might have had it in for Towson?"

"Stick that one in the back of your mind."

"I've another suspicion about him. Something about the line he gave me last night to get me to come across. At first, he was understandably nervous about me being there, but when he started speaking he was too cool. As if he had practiced the routine and rehearsed the lines. He anticipated my objections and was ready with his response. I think he's done it all before."

"Boys have been using those lines on girls ever since back seats were invented."

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"No, I mean he's run that routine before, there in his truck."

"I don't get you."

"What if that had been an immature girl sitting there shaking because Huress had just caught her boyfriend stealing a pack of cigarettes. He didn't dream that deal up just for me. Of course, he changed it around to fit my situation. You see, he knew all the right words. He knew the routine because it works and he uses it. A terrified girl couldn't stand up to his threats, badge and gun. It'd be way easy for him. Suppose he does cruise around looking for victims?"

"That's a serious sex crime, but I wouldn't put it past any male. Even if true, Sandy, you don't need this right now. Hanging Huress for his sexual assault on you would be a full time job. You already have your hands full."




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