Chapter 15
THE RIVER CLUB occupied the top two floors of a thirty-seven-story skyscraper overlooking the St. Johns River. It was arguably the most prestigious private dining club in Jacksonville, but I liked the University Club (across the river in the former Gulf Life Tower) better. When we arrived in the lounge area, we found that Mrs. Odum, a well-dressed and very trim middle-aged woman, was waiting for us, as was one of her assistant prosecutors, a thirtysomething man named Willard Ayres. They rose from their seats when they spotted Dan and me, and Dan made the introductions. The conversation remained very general until we were seated and had placed our orders. Mr. Ayres was the first to mention the coming trial.
“Even though we have her fingerprints on the weapon, an eyewitness who
