No. The word was wrenched from her as her heart cramped. If he saw that... She put her hand over Kevins as if that would protect him. No child should have to bear that.
Im sorry. I guess I put that badly. If he saw anything at all when he came down the stairs, it could help the police find the person who attacked your friend.
She pressed her free hand to her temple, wishing she could push the thought out of her mind. Dixie, laughing, generous Dixie, was gone forever. Shed never hear her caustic comments or feel Dixies rare, warm hug. Deidres heart clenched painfully.
And Kevin might have seen something. Must have, surely, to cause him to fall. She didnt want to consider it, but it had to be faced, and by bringing it up now, Jason was helping her to prepare. That had probably been his aim. An attorney had to think of that sort of thing for a client.
I see that they have to find out. But they cant do anything to endanger his recovery. Hell need love and assurance, not questions.
I know. Believe me, Ill do everything I can to hold them off. I can ensure that were present for any conversation the cops have with him. And it will only take place when his doctor says hes well enough. He leaned toward her, his eyes dark and intent. Thats the best you can expect.
Deidre managed to nod. He was trying to help, she knew. And at least she wasnt having this conversation with her father-in-law. All right. I guess it sounds as if Im not even thinking of Dixie, but I am. She was a good friend, and... Her throat tightened, and she couldnt go on. The image of Dixie lying there was too vivid, stabbing at her heart.
You told the police that youd locked the door when you left the house. Are you sure? He was probably trying to get the conversation back to a less emotional level, not that anything could.
Positive. I remember doing it. She shrugged. When I was growing up, I dont think my parents ever locked the doors. But things are different now, even in a town like Echo Falls. I locked it and double-checked, as I always do.
There was no sign of a break-in. That means either they had a key or your friend let the person in.
She was already shaking her head. The only person I can think of who has a key is my partner, Judith. If were away, she comes in to deal with things for the business and to water my plants.
She was tempted to ask him why he was so intent about this. Hed have some sense of responsibility simply because hed been with her, but it would surely be more natural for him to want to walk away afterward.
Of course, the judge had asked him to represent her. No doubt he saw it as part of his job.
Jason frowned, his lean face taut. So Dixie probably let him in, whoever he is.
I suppose so. She hadnt even thought of it, and she tried to focus, but her mind kept straying back to her son. Surely the doctor would come in soon. But I cant see her letting someone in when she was staying with Kevin. Dixie was... She hesitated, trying to think of how to explain Dixie to someone who hadnt known her. She gave the impression of being interested in having a good time and nothing else, but at heart she was so warm and giving. She loved Kevin, and she was very careful with him. She...
Her voice broke, the memories overwhelming her. Dixie and Kevin laughing together over some silly knock-knock joke. Dixie giving up her afternoon off to take him to a childrens movie...
Sorry. He must have regretted opening the subject, but he didnt seem inclined to back off. Does Kevin often get up at night?
No. It was another thing she hadnt spared the time to ponder. If he were frightened or ill, hed call out to me or come to my room, but he ordinarily sleeps through the night.
But not with the intensity and stillness he displayed now. Her fingers squeezed his.
Would he be likely to wake up if he heard voices downstairs?
Jason was far more demanding than the police had been. Deidre reminded herself again that he probably thought it was his duty. He might, but... The thought struck her. He knew Dixie was coming, and hed tried to stay awake to see her. I guess if he heard her voice, he might have had the idea of going down to talk to her.
She could picture him heading for the stairs, trailing the blue blanket that he still liked to have when he went to sleep. She gasped and fought for control, closing her eyes.
Jasons hand closed strongly over hers. What is it?
Nothing. It... I just pictured it too clearly.
Im sorry. His voice seemed to deepen, as if he understood.
How could he? He barely knew her. Deidre took a steadying breath. Kev didnt necessarily see anything. He could have tripped on the blanket.
Possible. Jason drew back, letting go of her hand. But the police have to find out. Whoever killed your friend is still out there. He has to be found, both for her sake and your sons.
Fear jagged through her. You mean Kevin might be in danger if that person thinks he knows something.
I mean the sooner the police know everything he knows, the better, he said bluntly. Then he cant be a danger to anyone.
That made sense, but somehow it didnt offer a lot of comfort. Would the person who attacked Dixie reason that way?
I just dont understand it. If someone broke in, intending to rob the house... But theyd hardly do that when someone was there, would they?
The police couldnt find any signs of a break-in. His flat tone seemed to eliminate that possibility. Youll want to check, but there was no obvious indication that someone was trying to rob you.
Deidre rubbed her temples. Surely no one would have come there to deliberately hurt Dixie. How would they even know she was there? And if they thought I was home... She didnt finish the sentence. It made even less sense that way.
Thats a good question. Youd expect, if someone was targeting her, theyd do it at her apartment, not at your house.
I cant imagine anyone hating Dixie that much. She had some rough edges, but she hadnt had an easy life. And she was so good-hearted. Shed have done anything for Kevin.
She was divorced, I gather. Any problems with the ex-husband?
She ventured a glance at him. His face was stern, maybe judgmental. Not anything recent. I dont think shed been in contact with him at all since she came back to Echo Falls. His name is Mike Hanlon. I dont know where he lives.
The police would look into that, of course. Didnt they say that the spouse was often responsible in a murder?
Would she have let a boyfriend in while she was there with Kevin?
No! Her temper, already frayed, unraveled at that. Dixie dated, but there wasnt anyone serious, and even if there had been, she wouldnt have invited him to my house. She wasnt a teenager.
Skepticism showed in his narrowed eyes. You cant be sure of that.
Yes. I can.
She glared at him, knowing what was happening. Hed heard rumors linking Dixie with one man or another. Hed added that together with the way she dressed and the fact that she worked at a bar, and hed come up with an answercategorizing her.
Jason looked ready to snap back at her. But the door swung open, and Liz Donnelly came in, a chart in one hand. Deidre started from her chair, everything else dismissed by her need to know what Liz and the other medical personnel thought. She couldnt seem to find words to ask the question.
Jason looked ready to snap back at her. But the door swung open, and Liz Donnelly came in, a chart in one hand. Deidre started from her chair, everything else dismissed by her need to know what Liz and the other medical personnel thought. She couldnt seem to find words to ask the question.
Liz smiled. Its good news, really it is. All the tests weve done so far show little or no brain swelling, and his brain function looks normal.
Deidre sagged against the bed. Shed been so braced to face whatever came that the relief was overpowering.
Liz patted her shoulder and then moved to the bed, taking a look at Kevin while she gave Deidre time to compose herself. Everything here seems fine. Blood pressure right where it should be. Temperature normal. Breathing fine.
Hes going to be all right. She had to hold back the tears.
But Liz seemed reluctant to go that far. We cant say positively what effects the injury might have until hes awake, but if all continues to go well, well wake him up slowly tomorrow morning.
And when Kev woke up, theyd know. Theyd know if hed seen the attack on Dixie, and shed have to find a way to help him through the consequences, no matter what.
* * *
STILL THINKING ABOUT the situation with Deidre and her son, Jason walked the few blocks from the hospital to the office. One thing he had to say about Echo Fallsnothing was very far. The town stretched along the valley floor, making Echo Falls narrow and long as it followed the contours of the land.
The ridges on either side were heavily forested, increasing his sense of isolation. Not the sort of place hed ever imagined himself settling down. How long was he going to be able to take it?
For the moment, he didnt have much of a choice. If he could hang on here for a few years, rehabilitate his reputation, have something positive on his résumé, hed stand a chance of making a fresh start in a city more to his liking. Until then, he was stuck.
Just like he was stuck in this tangled situation between the judge and his daughter-in-law.
How much of Morriss dislike was based on fact and how much on unfair prejudice against his sons wife? He couldnt tell. His job at the moment was to protect the kid, nothing more. But the more he saw of the situation, the less he liked it. He was torn between the judges opinion of who Deidre was and the woman who sat in agony waiting for the doctors verdict on her son.
And what did he do with the lingering thought that the tragic circumstances had brought him into just the sort of relationship with Deidre that the judge had suggested.
Jase walked into the reception area of the office to find a guy about his own age perched on Evelyns desk, apparently joking with her, to judge by their smiles. Since he was wearing a coat and tie, Jason deduced that this must be the partner he hadnt met yet.
They both turned toward him at his entrance, Mrs. Lincoln adjusting her smile subtly. The man slid off the desk and held out his hand. You must be the new guy. Im Trey Alter. Welcome.
Jase had a quick impression of something a little guarded behind the welcoming smile, accompanied by the kind of self-assurance that only came to those born to the position they occupied.
Jase Glassman. He shook Alters hand, revising his estimate of the mans age. He was probably a few years older than Jase, fit and solid with an easy smile.
Sorry I wasnt around when you got in. I had a case that went to the federal court in Williamsport. I hear youve had quite an introduction to our little town.
Obviously hed heard all about it. Probably everyone in town had by now.
Not what I expected, I admit. Im just glad I happened to be around so that Mrs. Morris didnt walk into the situation on her own.
A lucky coincidence. Treys voice was dry. I understand the judge asked you to act for Deidre...Mrs. Morris.
Was he thinking that it should have been him? Most likely he was another person whod known Deidre Morris her entire life. But he couldnt have any idea of exactly why the judge had pushed Jase into this position.
I was on the spot, he said, careful not to sound defensive to someone who obviously belonged here.
Before Alter could respond, the outside door opened. Chief Carmichaels came in, nodded all around and zeroed in on Jase. Id like a word or two, Mr. Glassman.
Of course. He wasnt sorry to be interrupted. Come through to my office.
He led the way, reflecting on the fact that it hadnt been his office long enough to feel a sense of possession. The wall of bookshelves wasnt full yet, although it probably would be by the time he unpacked the cartons sitting in front of the shelves. Hed been a lot busier than hed anticipated.
Have a seat, wont you? Jase gestured to the clients seat and sat back in the leather desk chair that still seemed molded to its previous occupants shape.
But Carmichaels paced to the window instead, staring out for a moment at what he probably considered his town. This used to be Franks office. His voice was neutral, but Jason wondered if there was implied criticism in the words.
I know. What else was there to say? Frank was a classmate of mine at Dickinson Law.
Carmichaels grunted, turning to face him. I figured there had to be some connection. So...youre representing Deidre Morriss interests, right?
Jason nodded. The chief was taking his time getting to the point of this visit. She doesnt need an attorney, but the judge wants me to shield her and the boy as much as possible. So far we havent had any problems with reporters, but...
If you do, you let me know. Ill give them a quick boot on their way. The chief came down heavily on Deidres side at the mention of the press.
Good.
Carmichaels walked to the desk, frowning. The silver hair and slightly thickened body made him look older, but he probably wasnt much more than in his early fifties. He gave the impression of shrewd intelligence hidden behind a stoic facade.
So I tried to sound out Kevins doctor today. She referred me to you.
Jase leaned back in the chair. You didnt really expect her to tell you anything, did you?
They seemed to cross swords for an instant, but then Carmichaels gave a shrug and a half smile. It was worth a try. Look, Judge Morris asked me to cooperate. Thats all very well, but this is murder. Ill cooperate with you, but not at the cost of my investigation.
The judges power to control events might not be as strong as he apparently thought it was. But Jase still had a client to represent.
Relax, Chief. Ive already prepared Mrs. Morris for the fact that youll have to talk to Kevin. She understands, but she insists it cant be until his doctor says so. And not at the cost of the boys well-being. He deliberately echoed Carmichaelss words.
Apparently deciding he meant it, the chief gave a short nod. Okay. Youll let me know as soon as I can question the boy. It wasnt a request.
Now it was Jasons turn to want something. Time to see how far this cooperation extended. Any progress on the case?
Chief Carmichaels gave him a long look. Id think it a burglary gone wrong, but no one broke in. No evidence of ransacking, everything in perfect order except for the woman lying on the floor. You saw.
Was there any evidence that she fought back? Youd expect that, wouldnt you?