Was there any evidence that she fought back? Youd expect that, wouldnt you?
None, he said flatly. From all we can see, it looks as if the woman was sitting there quietly when someone walked up and hit her. Used the heavy base of the lamp from the end table.
So deliberate. Jase tried to think through what that meant. No one who got that close could have mistaken Dixie James for Deidre.
No. Whoever did this knew who he or she was attacking. I cant make it fit any other way. But finding out who and proving it are two different things. You know that.
Was that intended as a barb? Maybe not, since the man was already continuing.
Dixie James had a bit of a reputation as a partier since she got back to town. There were plenty of boyfriends, and the most likely scenario is that one of them came to the house that night. She let him in, things got out of hand, turned sour. He shrugged. If so, well get him.
Mrs. Morris says that Dixie would never have let someone into her house when she was babysitting. He wanted to hear the chiefs reaction.
Carmichaels didnt speak at once. Ive known Deidre Wagner...well, Morris...since she was a kid. A good person. Honest, kindhearted, just like her folks were. Now, with her father gone and her mother remarried and living clear out in Arizona, she doesnt have anyone to rely on.
I didnt realize she was so alone. He probably should have, but the subject had never come up.
She has all her Amish kinfolk. Like them, she doesnt easily recognize dishonesty in others. He paused. Thats a good quality, but its dangerous, too. He focused on Jase, and his expression seemed to hold a warning. Id be upset if anyone hurt her.
Was that warning intended for him? Or was the reference aimed at Dixie James? Carmichaels couldnt know about the judges plans, or the extent of Jases involvement in those plans.
As her attorney, I feel the same, he said, carefully expressionless.
But he was going over what Carmichaels had said about Deidre in his mind. The mans opinion of her was as far from Judge Morriss as possible. Maybe he was right, maybe not.
But one thing hed said Jason couldnt buy. In his experience, honest women werent just rarethey were an endangered species. And he didnt suppose hed found one in Deidre Morris.
* * *
DEIDRE HAD RUSHED home early the next morning to shower and change, leaving Judith with Kevin. She wouldnt have left without being sure there was someone there he loved, just in case he woke up.
Shed nearly forgotten that shed left her car at the library, but Jason had brought it back, running again, and handed her the keys. He had waved off her insisting on paying the garage bill, saying it had just been a loose connection.
Now she willed the elevator to get to Kevins floor more quickly. Even knowing someone would call her cell if thered been any change, she had to see for herself.
Nothing had changed in the quiet room. Judith smiled at her from the chair beside the bed. Its been perfectly calm and quiet while you were gone, but Im certain sure Kevins color is better today.
Has the doctor been in? She drew up a chair next to Judith and put her hand over Kevins, needing the skin-to-skin connection.
Not yet. Judith touched her arm comfortingly. Soon, Im sure.
Now that shed seen for herself that Kevin was safe, Deidre could manage to widen her thoughts to include someone other than her son. Im really sorry to drag you out at this time of the morning. How will Eli manage getting the children fed and off to school?
Judith chuckled. He probably gave them cold cereal out of a box, but thats all right for once. Itll make him appreciate me more, aint so?
Since they both knew Eli and Judith had the happiest of marriages, Deidre didnt think Eli needed any prompting. You be sure he knows how much I appreciate it. Do you have a ride home? I could ask...
Its all settled. One of the ladies from your church offered to drive me. I hear theyve all been standing by to take turns doing whatever needs done.
Deidre nodded, and the tears she hadnt allowed herself to shed for Kevin filled her eyes at the kindness. So many people have helped me since this happened. I dont know how Ill be able to thank them all.
Seeing Kevin well is all the thanks anyone needs. Judith glanced at the clock that was mounted above a mirror on the far wall. I should probably go down. I dont want her to have to drive around waiting for me. She studied Deidres face. If you want me to stay...
No, no, Ill be fine. Im just eager to talk to the doctor. She said theyd probably let Kevin wake up today if all continued to go well. Her heart lurched at the thought of seeing his eyes open, of knowing he recognized her. Please, go on home. Im fine now.
Judith embraced her. We are all praying, she whispered. And then she was leaving, passing Pastor Adam in the doorway.
I dont want to intrude, but I had to see how Kevins doing. He gave her a tentative smile. Better?
I think so. The doctor should be in soon, so...
Adam nodded. I understand. Ill leave you. But he didnt. He stood there awkwardly for a moment, and then he came closer and put his hand on her shoulder. You know how much I...we all care. If theres anything, anything at all, just...
He sounded so eager to help that Deidre wished she could think of something for him to do. Ill call you, of course. Thank you, Adam.
He nodded, patted her shoulder. Ill go now. Be sure you call me.
Finally he was gone. Alone with her son, Deidre wrapped Kevins hand in both of hers. Youre going to wake up soon. She kept her voice soft. All the boys and girls from your kindergarten class have made cards for you. When you open your eyes, you can look at them, okay?
She heard the door and stopped, but Liz Donnelly just smiled and nodded. Its okay to talk to him. But right now Dr. Jamison and I want to have a few words with you.
Jamison followed Liz into the room. He stood silent for a moment, studying a chart he carried, and Deidres heart began to thud. At last he looked up and focused on her.
As we explained to you earlier, the reason for the sedation was to allow the brain time to rest and recover by reducing swelling.
He seemed to expect a response, so she nodded.
All of the tests weve run are looking good, so weve ordered to stop the sedation. Once your boy wakes up, well be able to assess the situation in a different way.
Does that mean youll be able to tell if theres been any permanent damage? Her throat tightened as she said the words, and her hands felt clammy.
Jamison looked at Liz, as if passing the question off to her. Liz came and sat down knee to knee with Deidre.
We just dont know. Once Kevin is awake, well want to see if there are any overt signs of damage. But signs can be very subtle, and theres also the fact that he might demonstrate some impairment at first and then have that completely disappear as his brain continues to heal. She patted Deidres hand. Its a game of wait and see at this point, but were agreed that we dont see any indication of trouble now.
Deidre managed to nod. What it boiled down to was that they really didnt know. But when she looked at Kevin, his cheeks rosy as they always were when he slept, she found it impossible to believe he wouldnt simply be himself when he woke.
Deidre managed to nod. What it boiled down to was that they really didnt know. But when she looked at Kevin, his cheeks rosy as they always were when he slept, she found it impossible to believe he wouldnt simply be himself when he woke.
When do you think hell wake up?
Liz glanced at her watch. Anytime in the next hour or so. You can talk to him the way you were, but dont make any other effort to rouse him. Its better to just let him come out of it gradually on his own.
Again Deidre nodded, but with a flicker of irritation. What did they think she was going to dotry to shake him awake?
Good. Liz rose, and Dr. Jamison was already halfway out of the room. Well leave you with him, then. When he starts responding to you, just ring for the nurse and have her page me. I expect to be here in the hospital.
All right. Much as she liked Liz, she was ready to have her go. Talking about the possibilities of difficulties with Kevins brain made them uncomfortably real.
But apparently she wasnt destined to be alone with Kevin, because no sooner had the doctors left than Jason came in. You havent been left by yourself, have you? He seemed to echo her thoughts.
She managed a smile. You just missed Pastor Bennett. And Judith was here before that.
Good. Apparently he, like everyone else, thought she needed company. He looked at Kevin and nodded, as if pleased with his appearance. Whats the verdict? Are they waking him up today?
Yes. There was a world of relief in the word, but it was tinged with anxiety.
Jason seemed to pick up on what she didnt say. He studied her face and then came to sit next to her. Whats wrong?
Nothing. She shook her head, trying to deny the longing to spill out her worries and fears.
There must be something, or you wouldnt look that way.
She couldnt help smiling at his words. Youve only known me a few days. You cant possibly know what my expressions mean.
Granted, it hasnt been long, but theyve been eventful days. You get to know a lot about people when you see them in a crisis. Jasons face tightened, making her wonder what had induced that grim look.
Kevins going to wake up soon. She squeezed the small hand that lay in hers. When he does, well have an idea of whether theres any permanent damage. And well know what he remembers.
That was on everyones mind, it seemed. The police, of course, but maybe also the person whod attacked Dixie. Was he still here in Echo Falls, waiting? Or had he fled? Surely that was what hed have done.
Whatever happens when he wakes up, at least youll have him back again. He put a hand on the back of her chair rather than on her shoulder, as Adam had done.
She blinked back sudden tears. Yes. Maybe Ill be able to take him home soon. I wont know what to do when we get back to real life. She gestured to their surroundings. This...all of it...doesnt seem real.
Jason seemed to consider her words. Its not normal, anyway. Well, today is the first step back. By the way, Judge Morris sends his apologies. He wanted to be here this morning, but he had to be in court.
So that was why Jason had come. It wasnt anything personal. Surely she wasnt disappointed. She couldnt be relying on the man. She barely knew him.
Im sure. Ill call and give Sylvia the latest news once Kevin is awake.
Sylvia hadnt come to the hospital to see Kevin, and Deidre had been glad for that. It wasnt that Sylvia didnt care; it was that she was too fragile emotionally to be helpful.
Kevins hand stirred in hersjust a butterfly touch at first, then a definite movement.
Kevin. She leaned over him. Baby, are you awake? She sensed, rather than saw, Jason snap to attention next to her. Kevin?
Nothing happened for a minute that seemed to last forever. Then Kevin moved, wiggling a little as he did when she woke him for Sunday school. His forehead wrinkled.
Wake up, baby, she said, keeping her voice gentle. Its time to get up now. They were the same words she said every morning.
And, just like all those other mornings, Kevin blinked and opened his eyes. At first he stared, seeming puzzled, at the ceiling. Then he focused on her face. His blue eyes widened and he smiled. Mommy.
Shed never heard anything better in her life. It took a giant effort to keep her voice calm, her manner casual. You awake, baby?
Sure. He started to get up, then stared at the tube leading into his arm. Mommy? His voice shook. Whats happening, Mommy? Whats that thing?
Its okay. She eased him back on the pillow, putting her arms around him. You had a little accident and had to come to the hospital. But youre getting better now.
Oh. He settled down but still looked troubled. She thought he was trying to remember. Did I fall out of the tree? Thats what happened, right? You told me not to climb so high, but I wanted to see.
Climbing the apple tree, you mean? At a movement from Jason, she glanced at him. That morning, she said quietly. Is that what you remember, Kev?
He frowned. I remember climbing up high in the tree. Thats all.
Kevin was making up his own story about what had happened. It was a story that probably seemed normal and comforting to him.
Comforting because he didnt know how he got hurt. Here was the answer everyone had been waiting for. Kevin didnt remember anything about the attack on Dixie. However the police might feel about it, Deidre couldnt help but be relieved.