Although Saturdays were usually good days for business, she wasn't in the mood to concentrate on business, not in the mood for people. She sat there ignoring the office answering machine blinking with unanswered messages.
A different ring continued for almost a minute before she realized it was her cell.
"Ms. Jerrold, please hold for Chief Oehlert."
"Tammy, this is Bill. Bad news. There's been a homicide."
"Oh, oh," she said. "I was afraid of that, Sonny Barner."
"Sonny Barner? No. Tammy sit down. The Senator...Senator Towson has been shot. Call just came in. I'm on my way over there now. I'll call you back when I know more. I'm sorry, Tammy. I know you were just like family to him. I didn't want you to hear from anyone else. National news has already picked up on it. Don't know how they found out so fast."
She hadn't heard any word after "shot" because she started shaking. The phone slipped from her hand. She sprawled forward across the desk, motionless except for the sobbing and the uncontrollable flinching.
Abruptly, the desk phone jangled unbelievably loud. She jolted upright. It might be more news. She must answer.
"Tammy, it's Ray. Can't find Loraine. I talked with Norma Martin, however. You were right she doesn't know either you or Loraine. I don't know what to do now."
She tried her best to keep her voice steady. "Where are you?"
"In my car."
"Come over here to my office as fast as you can."
"Why? What's wrong? You sound funny, you okay?"
"Come straight here. Don't stop anywhere. Don't talk to anyone. Get here fast."
She hung up and buried her face in her arms for a moment. Then she picked up the phone again, inhaled deeply and punched 911.