Nemesis by Bill Pronzini

pathological—that’s pretty clear now.”
    â€œAnd unstable, from what you told me earlier.”
    â€œCertifiable, to’ve come up with that extortion hoax.”
    â€œWhich can work to our advantage if the case goes to trial. The more unstable an individual, the easier to discredit on the witness stand. But I’ll be surprised if it goes beyond the preliminary hearing.”
    â€œAnd meanwhile,” Runyon said bitterly, “I’m left dangling. With a suspended or revoked license, maybe.”
    â€œThat’s not likely to happen. In this state, only a conviction of an offense with a nexus to the professional license can be the basis for suspension or revocation by the State Board. It’s possible they could get wind of the arrest and start their own investigation, but they’d have to prove misconduct according to their standards in order to take action. Most likely, in any event, they’d do nothing except wait and see if there’s a conviction. Which is highly improbable in your case.”
    â€œBut still possible. And the board’ll get wind of the arrest, all right. Through the media, even if the cops or the DA’s office don’t notify them.”
    â€œNot necessarily. This isn’t a high-profile matter. If there’s any mention in the media at all, it won’t be given much weight.”
    â€œUnless Daniels goes public, tells more lies for the attention. I wouldn’t put it past her.”
    â€œYes, that’s possible,” Dragovich admitted, “but we’ll cross that bridge if and when we come to it.”
    Runyon began pacing again. “What happens now?”
    â€œAbe Melikian has agreed to stand your bail. No collateral necessary because of your past association with him. We ought to have you out of here by mid-morning.”
    â€œI want to talk to Whitehead and Rodriguez again first. The DA’s investigators, too, if you can arrange it.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œTo make a statement, put my version of what happened last night, the whole hoax business, on the record.”
    Dragovich frowned. “You know you’re not legally required to do that even with your attorney present. I strongly advise against volunteering information of any kind, especially in your angry frame of mind—”
    â€œI’d just as soon do it anyway. Can you arrange it?”
    â€œâ€¦ Yes, if you insist. And if you assure me you’ll keep your emotions in check.”
    â€œDon’t worry, I will.”
    â€œVery well, then.” The lawyer got to his feet, stopped Runyon’s pacing with a hand on his shoulder. “Two things before I go. One—I’ll need as much specific information on Verity Daniels as possible, in the event of a trial. Your notes and reports on your investigation to begin with.”
    â€œI’ll ask Tamara to e-mail the file to your office.”
    â€œAnything else you and Ms. Corbin can find out as well.”
    â€œYou’ll have it.”
    â€œTwo—a caveat. I doubt you need to hear it, but I’ll say it anyway. Honor the restraining order, if a judge grants it. Even if one isn’t issued, you are to have nothing directly to do with Verity Daniels outside a courtroom—nothing whatsoever under any circumstances.”
    â€œGuaranteed. I wouldn’t trust myself if I did.”
    When Dragovich was gone, Runyon prowled the room as he had the cell. Caged animal, soon to be released back into the jungle. And then what? If he lost his license, even temporarily, he’d have nothing to fill up his days, no direction, no useful purpose. For the kind of man he was, it was a hellish prospect—like being trapped in a vacuum.
    It was nearly two hours before Dragovich returned with the two inspectors and an investigator from the DA’s office named Sutton. None of the officers said anything, acknowledged Runyon with curt nods. Sutton, young and deceptively