“You have done well.”Smiling, the two guards rounded the corner back toward the residence. Ramirez came running from the administrative wing, gun ...n hand and pointed downward, toward them. He stopped when he saw Maria break their embrace and take hold of Susan’s hand.“Contessa,” he said to Maria. “I heard a cry.”Maria beamed.“Si, Generalissimo. A very important friend has arrived. This is Susan Bailey.” Maria looked behind her, as if expecting them to be just out of view, then turned to Susan.. The deal expires when we start our case tomorrow morning.”“I see,” I said. I could get all my women out of going to prison. Five years probation was nothing. None of them were criminals. And what were a few years in jail? Make this all go away. Then I didn't have to risk everything on Jonette Walsh digging her feet so deep that nothing could move her. “What do you think?”“That we're getting a hung jury and a mistrial,” she said. “I don't see how we can get Jonette to budge. But they're worried,. He’s going to put together that sales pitch. You and he are going to sell that idea to an investor.”“He and I are going to sell it? I think it will be just him,” Sam said.“You’re wrong. He’s not wired that way. You’re a partner in this with him. He’s not going to drop you because he’s gotten a little success.”“He’s white,” Sam said in a whisper.Looking disgusted, his stepfather said, “Shut up with that crap. I’m sick to death of you saying that kind of shit. I’m just as black as you are. Most. I guess I was pretty transparent."Don't know. We need to talk you and I, but it can wait till after dinner," I said. I needed time to get my thinking straight, hence, the delay."Dad?" she said, concern in her tone."After dinner. Should be no problem the way I see things. Okay?" I said. She nodded, but it was a tentative nod.******Dinner and dishes done, I headed for the front room. Marylou followed me without my having to ask. Kendra hung back in the kitchen busying herself for the moment with.