Thompson gave me a funny look. "Who's this Ashe he keeps talking about?"
I started to tell him. Then I got a sudden mental flash of how idiotic it would all sound. "The boy," I said evenly, "is beside himself because of all he's been through. It's time to call a halt to this farce. I'm going to hire myself some legal talent."
He shrugged. "Suit yourself."
Tommy grabbed my arm and cried, "Please don't leave me, Dad!"
I pulled away from him, feeling as if I'd dropped him off a cliff.
Right outside the station, I met Nan. She was pale and breathless. Jones had phoned the news. She wanted to go to Tommy immediately.
I guided her to the car and pushed her inside. "Listen here," I said tensely, "for once, don't make a fuss. Just help me find Ashe. He's the one who can free Tommy."
SHE BEGAN to laugh. "That's a hot one!" she gasped. "That's really a hot one!"
I shook her, thinking she was hysterical.