21.~ Manuel taken to court

Manuel sat in the lounge and tried to stop the bleeding while Jackson watched him and the two cops stood behind him.

"I want to see her-" he began, but Jackson raised his fist.

"shut up, you! If you want a poke in the puss open your trap and you'll get it."

Minutes ticked past, then Maxwell came in.

"I want to see her before she goes," Manuel said.

Maxwell came over and stared down at him. "she's dead, Manuel. Seeing her won't do you any good."

Manuel felt bad, but it was no good grieving. It was the best way out for her, he thought.

"Now, look, Maxwell, I didn't kill Sarah. I told Jay to call you up here and let you know where I was and what I was doing. You were late. We fought. In the struggle the gun went off. It was an accident."

"All right," Maxwell said, "it was an accident. Jay says you've got information that's gonna crack Lucia's murder. We'll go down to headquarters now and get your statement typed then we'll have another talk."

Manuel didn't like the way he looked at him nor the cold edge in his voice.

Maxwell looked at the two cops. "okay boys, beat it. Stick around for some clues we are taking this sucker down to headquarters."