The Citation touched down at Will Rogers World Airport on Tuesday morning at eleven o’clock local time. Bobby Lawson taxied the small jet to the general aviation terminal on the west side of the field. His ‘co-pilot’ for the trip, Annie Wilcox had been treated to the trip of a lifetime riding in the right seat of the jet being piloted by her boyfriend. Their one passenger, Harry Kincaid, had gotten a full two hour nap.
Bobby was pleased to see that by the time he spooled the jets and lowered their door, the fixed base operator had their rental car, a late model Ford Explorer pulled up and waiting. Bobby walked into the terminal and checked the aircraft in while Harry and Annie threw their bags into the car. Within fifteen minutes from touchdown, they were on their way to downtown Oklahoma City and to the offices of Henson & Byars, LLP.
Sally Stillwell met the trio at the elevator when the doors opened on her floor. It was almost twelve noon, their agreed upon time to meet. After the expected hugs with her sister and the introductions of Harry Kincaid and Bobby Lawson, the foursome moved back to Sally’s office and took seats around the small conference table in the corner near the windows.
After small talk concerning their flight in, Sally remarked, “I’ve seen a lot of coincidences over the years, but this just about takes the cake. Who would have ever thought a case such as this would have brought us together?”
“That’s what I thought,” said Annie. “But it’s good to see you, Sister. And I’m glad you got to meet Bobby.”
While Bobby blushed, Harry got to the point. “Am I correct in that General Hastings is in the Oklahoma City Jail?” he asked.
“That’s correct,” Sally answered. “My senior partner was able to get him released Saturday morning just after the arrest. But due to the brutality of the crime, the D.A. insisted on Hastings being held in jail. He was incarcerated at the conclusion of his arraignment yesterday afternoon, just before we spoke,” she said, nodding toward Annie.
“Well, Ms. Stillwell,” Harry began, “it is imperative that I be able to speak with him. It’s a matter of national security.”
“First of all, Harry, my name is Sally. Drop the Ms. And in this story of ‘When Harry Met Sally,’ I will arrange for you to speak with my client as long as you enlighten me, to the extent that you can, on this matter of ‘national security.’ It’s quite possible that it could help me defend him in this murder case.”
“Fair enough,” Harry answered. “A substantial purchase of small arms was made by the Militia in the Mexican State of Sonora. We have reason to believe the weapons have ended up in the wrong hands. Hastings made the sale. We need to talk to him about it.”
“You won’t mind if I sit in while you question him?” she asked. “He received a call yesterday morning that fits right into this scenario.”
“A call? From who?” asked Harry.
“Well, as long as we are going to see him, I’ll let him tell you about it.” Sally looked over at Annie and Bobby. “Do you two have an interest in this, or no?” she asked.
Before they could answer, Harry said to Bobby, “I can handle this, Bobby. Why don’t you and Annie go get some lunch and hang out someplace? We’ll figure out our next steps after I see Hastings.”
Bobby and Annie glanced at each other. “That works for me,” said Bobby.
When Sally stood, the other three followed suit. She walked around to the coat tree and got her coat and scarf. They walked together through the office, back to the elevator.
“I’ll drive us over to the jail, Harry,” Sally said as they entered the elevator. “So you two can take the rental. By the way, what are your plans for later? Do you have any?”
“I need to be back at work tomorrow,” Annie said. She looked at Bobby, “We’re going back tonight, right?
Sally said, “Well, Tom wants to see you if you’ve got time. That’s my husband,” she said to Bobby.
“Can we have dinner together?” Bobby asked. “I’d like to meet him, too. We can leave after that. Figure three hours to get home.”
Sally looked at Harry. “Does that suit you?”
“I doubt I’ll be going back to D.C. from here,” Harry answered. “It depends on what I learn from Hastings. So you guys plan for whatever you need to do.”
The group split up when they reached the Parking Level.
“We’ll give you a call when we are through with Hastings,” Sally said over her shoulder as she and Harry headed to her car. “I’m thinking it’ll be a couple of hours.”
Bobby and Annie were left standing by the lobby door that led to the visitors’ parking garage. The clock above the door read 12:35. He looked over at Annie. “Where to?” he asked. “I don’t know much about Oklahoma City.”
She gave him that impish grin that he so adored. “We passed a Marriott on the way in.”