The Associate

13

A week passed. There were no new clues in the murder of Lester Dobbs, Melissa Arnold's body and the tapes were still missing, and Ramon Quiroz had not been able to come up with a legal theory that would keep Paul McCann in jail. Early Friday morning, Quiroz and Aaron Flynn slipped in the back door of the courthouse and stole down the corridor to Judge Schrieber's chambers. It was 7:00A.M. and no one else was around. Ramon had phoned the judge the previous evening and convinced him that meeting in secrecy was necessary because of the threat that Martin Alvarez had made to Flynn.

"Good morning, Ramon, Aaron," Judge Schrieber said. He did not look happy as he signed the paper that sat in front of him. "I'm dismissing the case against Paul McCann and signing this release order. Everything has been done over at the jail to assure that McCann can walk out the door the minute you present this. I've arranged for you to go in and leave by the back door. I also instructed the jail personnel that anyone who leaks McCann's release is headed to prison for contempt. That should ensure your client's safety, at least for today."

_ _ _

Flynn drove his car behind the jail and knocked on the rear door. Sheriff Cobb was waiting with McCann, who was dressed in the clothes in which he had been arrested. The sheriff read the release order and told Paul he could go. Cobb looked as happy about this state of affairs as the judge.

As soon as they were in the car Flynn's client closed his eyes, put his head back, and said, "Hallelujah. I am so fucking grateful to be out of that hellhole that I might actually go to church."

"If I were you, the church would be in some city on the other side of the planet. I don't think Martin Alvarez is going to let this rest."

"Well, fuck him," Paul answered angrily. "Alvarez doesn't scare me."

"What are your plans?" Flynn asked.

"A hot shower, an edible meal, a good fuck, and a decent night's sleep."

"And after that?"

"I don't know. I'm thinking of moving. This trial showed me how many friends I have in Desert Grove. Besides, Sunnyvale is dead and your fees about wiped me out."

Flynn pulled the car as close as he could to Paul's front door and prayed that Martin Alvarez wasn't out in the desert with a sniper scope. As soon as the car stopped Joan rushed out of the house. Her arms were around Paul's neck before he was standing. He let her kiss him, but Flynn didn't see much fire on his part. Then Joan walked around to Flynn's window and placed her hand over his.

"I'll never forget you for this, Mr. Flynn. God bless you."