“Well, there it is. I met Mr. Chiles this morning—he was none too happy to see me, I assure you. He spent a good deal of time lying—the very same drivel you just heard about an ‘ongoing investigation.’ I’m certain he means to charge you.”

Jenna gripped Brad’s hand.

Boyle noticed the gesture. “No fear. He’s got as much chance of a conviction as I’ve got of winning the marathon. But he has to do something or lose his election. He’s going to lose it anyway, in my opinion, but I think he’ll take this last shot. Besides, he’s a vindictive sonofabitch, pardon my French.”

“Let’s say he brings charges,” said Brad. “What next?”

“We go in and surrender. I’ll try to arrange for her immediate release, on recognizance or on bail.” He frowned. “I have to tell you, though, that I’m a bit worried about that part. Our friend Mr. Chiles will ask that bail be denied on the grounds that Ms. Sorrel’s brother’s resources and her history of traveling on false documents make her a risk to flee to avoid prosecution. A judge might very well go along.”

“That means I’d go to jail?” asked Jenna.

“For a time, at least. It would be an injustice, and I’ll do all I can to pre- vent it, but it may happen.”

“How long? Until the trial?”

“I sincerely doubt it. As I said, Mr. Chiles is going to lose his election. And I’ve taken the precaution of speaking with his opponent. In a general way, of course. But I have the strong impression that she’ll be more reason- able than Chiles.”

“How reasonable?” Brad wanted to know.

“Our discussion was very general. But I wouldn’t be surprised to hear an offer of probation in exchange for a plea to, say, involuntary manslaughter.” “And what if it goes to trial?” asked Brad. “What’s our defense?”

“I’ll know more about that after I’ve had a long talk with my client. But based on what I’ve heard, we’ve got classic self-defense or defense of the life of another. There’s also the battered-woman angle, which is very strong these days.” He looked at Jenna. “I don’t know if you’re aware of it, Ms. Sorrel, but you’re quite the heroine out there just now for a lot of people. Women especially, but men, too. And that’s another thing: by the time I get through with Ali Rashad, he’s going to look like Satan’s signpost.” “I’d rather you didn’t do that, Mr. Boyle. I have a son—wherever he is—and Ali was his father.”

“Well, there’s that. I see your point. No more than necessary, then. No more than the truth.”