“I shall talk to John about this. It’s ridiculous.”
“John?”
“The governor. I’ll call him later today and straighten this out.”
Regina didn’t know what to say to that, so she changed the subject. “I’ll take you to Reception and set up the meeting. Then I’ll wait for you so you can have privacy when you visit. We can go back to my office when you’re finished.”
“That’s very nice of you,” Dowd said.
Regina smiled and walked Lily Dowd into the jail reception area.
“How are you holding up?” Robert Chesterfield asked his wife.
“Oh, Bobby, look at you.”
“Now, don’t you worry. I’m just fine. I can’t say much for the cuisine, and the accommodations don’t match up to the Ritz, but I’m being treated quite well.”
“I met Miss Barrister. Do you think she can help you?”
“She has an excellent reputation. I have confidence in her. I think it would be in our best interest to hire her.”
“Then I’ll do that, right away.”
“Thank you, dear.”
“Can she get you out of here quickly?”
“Probably not. She was very clear that it’s difficult to get bail in a murder case.”
“But you’re innocent.”
“I am, so everything will come out well in the end. Meanwhile, you must be patient and let my attorney do her job.”
Lily dabbed tears from her cheeks. “I can’t bear to see you like this.”
“I’m fine. Just know that I love you and that there is no truth to these charges. We’ll be together soon.”
Regina walked Lily Dowd to her law office. Lily gave Regina a check for the retainer and Regina explained what would happen in her husband’s case.
As soon as Lily Dowd left, Regina dialed Peter Ragland.
“Hi, Regina. What’s up?”
“Robert Chesterfield just retained me.”
Ragland chuckled. “I think I can have that fact introduced in evidence as an admission of guilt.”
“Cute, Peter.”
“Is he calling himself Mr. Chesterfield or Lord Chesterfield?”
“Plain oldmister. Is your comedy monologue over? Can we discuss the case?”
“What happened to your sense of humor?”
“It deserted me when I was awakened from a sound sleep and had to go to the jail at one in the morning because you decided to arrest my client in the middle of the night.”
Ragland chuckled again. Regina took a deep breath and counted to ten.