Chapter 20: A Recall

 Chapter 20  starts with Regis Cahan in full swing.  The day flies by before Gina has the chance to discuss the newspaper with him.

Many Cones is a podcast novel based on true crime. The murders inspiring this crime fiction took place 30 miles from Chicago in Northwest Indiana, and captivated the area from the initial brutal crime scene all the way through and beyond discovery of a shockingly bizarre motive.    

Regis Cahan was in full swing. He had an early hearing, and then planned to spend the balance of the morning and afternoon seeing clients and catching up on neglected work. Regis had woken late and rushed out of his apartment, without benefit of juice, coffee, or morning papers.  

Prior to his hearing, other lawyers jockeying for position on the court’s calendar were discussing the recent slayings and newspaper accounts. His attention was on the good things he was going to say about his client, so he only half listened and absorbed nothing. Regis was able to maintain his status as the first case was called, even though two or three other lawyers concocted outrageous stories to try and leapfrog him. His presentation took a half hour. The results were as expected, and he headed back to the office. 

Talk of Manson type hippies roaming the dark streets dominated the radio. Cahan tired of the wild sightings being reported and found an oldies station. He caught the end of “White Rabbit” followed by “For what it’s worth.” The music and words transported him back to a more honest time. He caught a reflection of himself smiling in the rear view mirror. Jesus Christ, he thought, I’ve driven into a time warp. Manson and Grace Slick on the radio. I hope my computer still exists. By the time he parked and headed for the office, he had forgotten about his musings. The computer was still present. 

Gina Drozler worked for an hour and a half, prior to getting ready for her day job. She made a hearty breakfast, as she had every morning for her husband and children. A rushed shower afterwards, then dress for success. The schedule gave her a half hour to relax at the kitchen table, alone. She sucked down coffee and read the morning papers. 

The stories on “Zola’s” and the Donas slayings grabbed her attention. She read every word; it took her twenty minutes. Gina used the final ten minutes to put finishing touches on her appearance. She liked to look good for her boss. Nothing sexual. It was a pride thing. She tucked the morning daily under her arm, and took it to work. 

Gina arrived early, as always. Household chores at work too. Make coffee, clean desks and tabletops, arrange magazines in the waiting area, and turn everything on. The copy machine took five minutes to warm up. She didn’t know why, but accepted it as a fact of life. House in order, she sat at her desk and began the grind. The newspaper was behind her on the floor.