still reeked of hard liquor. The top bunk belonged to another twenty-something, charged with shop lifting and disorderly conduct. The two young rowdies had quickly become buddies. They introduced themselves to Jason and welcomed him with a torrent of wisecracks.

"So you're the guy they're going to castrate."

"You'll grow boobs and turn into a pussy."

"Prison's a bad place to be a pussy."

"But if it happens, can you pencil me in for your first date?"

They cracked up and knuckled each other. Jason smiled faintly, conceding them the humor, but he was getting nervous about the rapid poisoning of public sentiment against him by the authorities and the media.

The third man sat shirtless on the lower bunk and quietly glared at Jason, looking him over with skepticism and contempt. He wasbeat and rape that woman?"

"Nobody. She wasn't raped and she must have hurt herself when she went crazy on me. She might have had a bad reaction to a drug, but I'm not sure. I'm very confused. It's a long story."

"We have nothing but time in here, my friend."

So Jason told him the whole story, as he knew it. He knew nothing about Souza's involvement, but then recalled noticing the empty serving dishes and two used plates on the table.

Ryan said, "So she had a partner there, someone you didn't see because you were zoned out?"

"I...I don't know. Now I'm even more confused. I can't believe she would...."

"Who was the cop?"

"I think his tag said Carter."

Ryan's jaw dropped and he was quiet for a moment, then he said,

"A