Free Rohn Federbush - Sally Bianco 01 - The Legitimate Way by Rohn Federbush Page B

could stay with them until you find another place.”
    “Difficult to broach the subject with the Grangers.” Robert eyed the phone.
    “I’ll take care of it. Write down their number” She stepped out into the hall with her cell phone and the slip of paper Robert handed her. “Hilda, this is Robert’s friend Sally. Could I speak to your husband…about the spirit pictures?”
    “Sweetie,” Hilda called.
    Her husband answered gruffly, “Granger residence.”
    “Yes,” Sally said, introductory words failing her. “Robert Koelz needs a place to crash for a few days. Would you be inconvenienced?”
    “Absolutely not.”
    Sally tried to think of convincing arguments.
    “Tell Robert there will be a key under the mat. First room on the left at the top of the stairs is his. I’ll put extra towels in bath. Will that do?”
    “Thank you. I’ll tell him.” Sally was flabbergasted. She knew most reasonable people held Robert in some esteem and the Grangers’ immediate welcome confirmed her feelings. She returned to the shop. “You’re all set, Robert. Key’s under the mat.” Robert gave her a thumbs up, before downing another glass of sherry. “Do we know where Ricco is staying?” She asked Sam.
    “I don’t think we want to know,” Harvey said. “Too much of a temptation to send people with instructions to pound on him without restraint.”
    “We’ll have none of that.” Andrew Sites arrived on the scene, dressed in his court attire, black suit and blue tie. Sally smiled with pleasure when she saw Ed Thatch accompanied the lawyer.
    Ed delivered Robert his news. “My young friend in computer systems agrees with the information Sally found. Mary Jo is moving from motel to motel in Arizona, probably trying to avoid her husband’s detectives.”
    “I thought it was a state offense to abuse your wife.” Harvey cuffed Sam’s shoulder.
    “Oh, it is,” Andrew sat ramrod straight in the chair next to Robert’s desk. “However, the state needs proof of the crime, just as they need a body to prove Robert harmed Mary Jo.”
    “What about this new blood evidence?” Sally asked Andrew.
    “We will need to clear the case in court, Robert.” Andrew leaned toward Robert in apology. “The police are being very thorough.”
    “Don’t they know she’s moving around Arizona?” Harvey asked.
    “Her van is moving.” Andrew shook his head. “I wish Jimmy Walker was not running for Congress. But it looks like the prosecutor is determined to make a name for himself.”
    Sally motioned toward Sam. “Robert’s not sure he wants Sam, my friend from St. Charles, and me to search Arizona.”
    “Robert, you’ve known this lad since he was born. What could be better in court than a law enforcement officer on our side?”
    They continued useless comments about the probabilities in the case. Mostly about the possibilities of Ricco finding Mary Jo before they did. She needed to show up in Ann Arbor before the arraignment. One thing was not mentioned. How would Robert be able to survive jail, if he was convicted?
    Madelyn’s words haunted Sally. Madelyn wanted to know what Sally was doing connected to these people. Danny’s death marked the end of Sally’s normal life. She joined Ann Arbor’s City Club, painted watercolors, oils, attended their writing group, wasted time in long lunches, and was thankful for people to see on the holidays. After a time, perhaps a delayed stage of grief, she stopped being very sociable. She blamed lack of time on her writing schedule; but to tell the truth, she was too depressed to greet her friends.
    If the worst happened to Robert and Sally lost him too, she would return to the club, get involved in learning another language, travel, do something to prove she was alive and happy. But Robert, how would Robert be able to live cooped up in prison. Tears rolled down her cheeks, for Danny, for Robert, and herself. She covered the faux pax for a while, blowing her nose and fumbling with