At midnight I awakened Ralph Ames out of a sound sleep. It served him right. “What time is it?” he grumbled. “And why are you calling me at whatever ungodly hour it is!” “I need your help, Ralph. Come get me.” “Come get you! You’re not due to be out for another two weeks. Besides, what’s the matter with the rental car? I distinctly remember asking my secretary to make arrangements for one.” “They’ve impounded the rental, Ralph. I’m in Prescott, not Wickenburg. Nobody rents cars in Prescott. Not only that, Calvin Crenshaw threw me out.” “Of Ironwood Ranch? You’re kidding.” There was a pause. “Maybe I should have enrolled you in the Dale Carnegie course first. They’re the ones who teach you how to win friends and influence people.” “This is no time for jokes, Ralph. I really need you to come get me.” “Who said I was joking? Where are you, Whiskey Row?” “I’m at the sheriff’s department, waiting to talk to a female homicide detective named Delcia Reyes-Gonzales.
