Inside, the chilled air and fluorescent lighting reminded me of a hospital. Diesel strained against his leash several paces ahead of me. He had spotted the reception desk and a uniformed man sitting behind it. He wanted to go say hello.

“Good afternoon,” I said as I approached. “I’m Charles Harris. I’m here to see Deputy Berry. She’s expecting me.”

The officer behind the desk was too busy staring at Diesel to acknowledge me at first. I cleared my throat a couple of times, and he finally looked up at me.

“Sorry, sir, what did you say?” Before I could respond, he continued. “What kind of cat is that?”

“He’s a Maine coon. They get to be pretty big.” I smiled at his reaction to my cat. I repeated my name and the purpose for my visit.

“Sure,” the deputy said. “She’s got someone with her right now. Why don’t y’all have a seat over there, and soon as she’s done, I’ll take you back to her.”

“Okay,” I said, disconcerted. I led Diesel to the chairs the deputy indicated and sat down. Diesel climbed onto the chair next to me and looked around.

If Kanesha wanted to see me right away, why was I being made to wait? Was this some little power trip on her part? Or had someone turned up to talk to her before I arrived?

I kept checking my watch as I waited. Five minutes passed. Then ten. Fifteen.

Finally, twenty-one minutes after I sat down, I looked up to see Julia Wardlaw coming out of door behind the reception area.

The deputy let her through the security gate, and she came straight to me. I stood to greet her.

“Hello, Charlie.” Dark circles under her eyes told me she’d had little sleep since last night. She reached down to stroke Diesel’s head.

“Are you okay? You look exhausted.” Not the most gallant thing to say, but it was the truth.

“I am,” Julia said. “I was up most of the night at the hospital with Ezra. They moved him to a room yesterday, and he’s not doing very well at the moment.”

“I’m so sorry.” Such inadequate words.

“Thank you.” Julia gave me a weak smile. “I’m going home for a bit now to try to get some sleep.”

“Good idea,” I said. “Did Kanesha call you in? She did me.”

Julia nodded. “She had more questions. And I told her about going to the hotel to see Godfrey yesterday. She wasn’t happy, but it’s done.”

“Did you tell her about seeing Jordan Thompson there?”

“I did.”

“I’m sorry,” I said. “I shouldn’t hold you up. You need some rest.”

Julia gave me a quick peck on the cheek and another tired smile. “I’ll talk to you later. I want to come by to see Justin.”

“Of course,” I said. “Anytime.”