The next morning, Liberty entered the municipal building and took the elevator up to the third floor where R.J. Jeffries had his offices.Since it was only 7:30, his office assistant hadn't arrived yet, but Jeff usually got to work early and left the outer office door open for early morning visitors.Liberty pushed through the waist-high wooden gate that separated the work area from the waiting room/lobby and proceeded to Jeff's office.

As she opened the door and stuck her head ...