by Cathryn Fox
“I would be worried about that theory, but since we’re not together and never were, Mark has no motive. When we find Mark he can straighten it all out. How are things going with the search?” Roxanne asked.
“I’ve got a detective tracking down the latest lead. It’s just a matter of time. It’s not like he’s hiding or anything—is it?” Al demanded.
“No.” She was convinced Mark would come through. In spite of everything. That was the thought she carried to bed that night. But her dreams weren’t about Mark. They weren’t about Al. They weren’t even about Don. The one man that troubled her dreams was Barry Dennis.
Roxanne pressed the garage door opener switch from the inside to let Laura drive in. There were still two reporters camped out on the street in their cars. She watched them jump to alertness when her garage opened. She jumped into Laura’s car.
“Okay, book it. They’re getting out of their cars now.” Roxanne watched them in the rearview mirror.
Laura stepped on the gas, forcing her wheels across the pavement with a squeal, and they fired out of the driveway. Roxanne clicked the garage door closed and waved at Bonnie as she disappeared behind the closing door. The two reporters jogged toward their car as Laura slammed the automatic transmission on her Volvo into drive.
“I can’t believe these guys are ready to chase us down the street,” Laura said as she slammed her foot on the gas again and took off down the winding road. Roxanne looked back out the window to see the receding figures popping pictures with their cameras before turning back to their cars.
“I hope they don’t try to follow us. You better keep this baby pressed to the floor,” Roxanne said. She smiled at her friend’s horrified expression.
“This car wasn’t meant to be driven this way. I wasn’t meant to drive this way,” Laura said.
“Maybe we should have taken my car. But I figured it was too easy to spot.”
“I didn’t really understand what you meant when you said the media was hounding you. This is like something you see on TV.”
“It is. Except we’re in a real life murder mystery and I’m the number one suspect. Remember?” Roxanne shook her head. “Also remember, this was your idea. I wasn’t going to risk going to the hospital.”
“I know. But you needed something to distract you and cheer you. I thought you’d really like to see Lindy. She wants to see you.”
“You were right. I can’t believe you got up this early on a Saturday.” Roxanne smiled at her friend. If she forced herself to believe Al would get her off, she might even be able to think of this whole experience as an adventure. The only problem with that was when she allowed herself to remember the fact that Donald really did die. And she did lose the game to Barry Dennis. Big time.
“Oh, it’s not such a risk really. We sneak in the back way up to her room. I’ll make sure no one else is in there before you go in and that’s it.” Laura was clearly proud of herself. It was Roxanne’s turn to be astonished.
“It’s damned risky. Now it could affect Barry’s custody battle.”
“Don’t worry. No one will know. I brought camouflage.” Laura glanced over her shoulder to the back seat.
Roxanne looked. There was a hat, sunglasses, and an overcoat. “You thought of everything. I hope.”
“It’s early. No one else will be there. Rox, Lindy really needs to see you. She’s worried about you. Tim’s concerned that she’ll feel abandoned.”
She took a deep breath and her heart pounded with urgency now. “Okay. No more worry from me. But this is a change of tune for you. Is this the new Laura? Or is this a one-shot deal?”
“No. I think you might see me taking more and more risks in the future.”
“Great. Now all we need is for me to start taking fewer and fewer risks.”
“No, not that. I would be alarmed if I really thought you would,” Laura said.
“Why shouldn’t I be more careful? Don’t I have a right to be shell-shocked at this point?”
“Yes. I can see you retreating for a while. But it’s not in your nature to be cautious and after all this blows over your wild stripes will show again.”
“You’re probably right.” Roxanne didn’t feel wild. Barry Dennis kept going through her mind. She had taken too wild a risk with him, even for her. That was one area in which she wasn’t used to betting such high stakes. She’d bet and lost her heart and soul, though she’d never intended to.
“I needed this visit. Thank you. It’ll be my farewell visit to Lindy. I didn’t feel right not saying good-bye to her.” It hurt to say the words.
“What do you mean? I thought things were okay with you and Barry since he bailed you out.”
“Al put him up to it. He probably went along out of guilt. No. Our affair is over. There’s no room for a woman like me in his life and I have no use for a man like him.” God, that sounded so final. She gritted her teeth to hold in the anguish.
Laura drove into the service garage entrance and they walked up a rarely used stairwell in the wing of the hospital where Lindy stayed. When they got to Lindy’s floor, Roxanne waited in the stairwell while Laura, true to her word, scouted ahead. The plain beige raincoat along with a wool hat and sunglasses would have to get her down the hall unrecognized.
Laura came back and opened the door. “The coast is clear. Tim is in there. He’ll keep everyone else out. Come on.” Laura’s voice was hushed as she motioned for Roxanne to follow.
“Remind me to do something special for you later,” Roxanne said as they speed-walked down the hall. Roxanne felt conspicuous but no one gave her a glance. She felt like she’d changed roles with Laura as she followed her into Lindy’s room. She shook her head. Things really weren’t the same anymore.
Tim stood at Lindy’s bedside, taking her blood pressure. Roxanne felt everything else wash from her mind. All her own troubles melted into insignificance next to the sight of this child lying in her bed, sleeping, connected to tubes and monitors.
“How is she?” Roxanne asked Tim. He looked up at her.
“As well as she can be. It’ll be a long haul from here, though.” He paused. “How are you?”
The question took a second to register as she watched Lindy. “As well as I can be. It’ll be a long haul from here though.” She smiled. He chuckled.
“Give me the official stats,” Roxanne said.
“She had a minimal loss of blood and fluids. We’re pumping her now. Temp’s good, blood pressure is low but stable, good strong pulse. The light’s ahead there somewhere if you look hard enough down the tunnel.”
“That’s what I came to hear. And to say good-bye. I wasn’t sure if I’d find her awake so I wanted to leave this with you.” Roxanne handed him a package. It was the Christmas present she’d never had a chance to give the child. It was a gold locket containing miniature pictures of Barry and Cynthia, Lindy’s mother. It hadn’t been easy finding the photos, but she’d managed it.
“If you want you can give it to Barry for her. He’ll probably be back soon,” Tim said.
She felt a jolt of fear and anxiety shoot through her gut. “I can’t. I don’t want to see Barry. It’s a mutual agreement.”
“Okay. Whatever you say.”
Laura spoke. “Let’s go down to the coffee shop and talk. It should be empty. There’s some other business you should know about, Rox,” Laura said.
“Only for a minute. I shouldn’t be hanging around here. I might ruin your reputations.” She turned and led the way out of the room. She stopped and held the door. Tim and Laura walked out. Roxanne turned back toward Lindy and whispered good-bye. She leaned over the girl and gave her a hug. Her eyes fluttered open. A smile lit her face and the girl hugged her back.
Down at the coffee shop, Roxanne blotted the remnants of her tears. She found Laura already gulping coffee. Tim sat calmly eating a donut. Roxanne took a chair. Laura pushed aside her cup and spoke,
“That detective, Turner, from Marblehead, apparently had a tal
k with Dr. Evans the other day. Harry found out. Dr. Evans somehow gave Turner the impression that you might be mismanaging funds. Harry told him he was barking up the wrong tree.”
“Barking up the wrong tree?” Roxanne listened to Laura and felt like another shoe was about to drop.
“Anyway, Harry says Turner didn’t seem convinced. So we’re looking into it. We think it’s Evans who’s been mismanaging funds—remember the money he took from Tim’s research fund to use for the building project?”
“You’re looking into it?”
“Yes. Harry, Tim, and me. We’re going to do a little investigation work of our own. In the meantime, Harry’s holding all the checks that come into the office in his office safe. As we speak we’re putting together all the information we have on the fund.”
Roxanne was about to tell Laura how impressed she was when she saw Al walk in the coffee shop door. He stopped dead when he saw her. He turned a shade paler. Roxanne felt her pulse shoot into panic mode. She knew she wasn’t supposed to be here.
“Someone arrange a party I didn’t know about?”
Roxanne flicked an uncomfortable glance at Laura. She could see the disapproval taking the place of surprise on Al’s face. No one answered him. He stepped closer to their table.
“What are you doing here, Roxanne?” He kept his voice low.
“You know why I’m here.”
“Yes. Not very smart.”
“What are you doing here?” She had a feeling about his answer.
“I’m meeting Barry about his custody hearing. He has to sign some papers.” Al took a long hard look at her, then stepped back. “I’ll wait outside for him.” He walked out.
Roxanne looked at her two friends and addressed their questioning looks. “I need to get out of here. Al’s concerned about my affect on Barry’s custody of Lindy. He wants me to pretend I never met either of them …”
“Oh no.” Laura cut Roxanne off and covered her eyes. Roxanne turned to see Paul Paris walk through the other door to the coffee shop.
“Laura, you sent invitations, didn’t you? And this was supposed to be a top secret visit.” Roxanne tried for lightness, but her anxiety ratcheted up when Paul came over to their table. She wasn’t surprised until he pulled up a chair.
“I’m glad I found you here, Dr. Oki. I was looking for you earlier. I wanted to talk to you about how Lindy was doing.” He turned to Roxanne without waiting for the doctor’s response. “I must say I’m surprised to see you here after reading this morning’s headlines. But I suppose keeping a low profile isn’t exactly your strong suit, is it?” He kept his eyes on her.
Roxanne was past feeling flustered. Instead she found herself appreciating the irony of the occasion. She felt defiance well up. Laura flashed her an anxious warning glare, which she ignored.
“Yes, you’re right of course. Anything for the photo-op. I’m a publicity hound. I thought I’d hang out here at the hospital and see if I could attract some media attention this morning. It’s been so boring since I was fired from my job and banned from my volunteer work …” She would have gone on if it weren’t for Dr. Oki.
“You’ll be glad to know, Paul, that Lindy is doing well. Laura and Roxanne were both here to ascertain the same thing this morning. She’ll be asleep for a while though and require a lot of rest for the next week or so.” Dr. Oki rose and looked at Roxanne and Laura as if to say this was a good time to leave.
Roxanne was framing a parting remark for Paul, who also stood, when Barry stormed into the coffee shop toward them. Al was close on his heels.
“What the hell are you doing here?” Barry wasted no time in confronting her.
“You should know better than anyone.” Paul snickered at Barry.
Barry turned and looked at Paul as if he’d just noticed him. “You keep out of it, Paris. This is none of your God damned business.”
Roxanne felt glad his anger was aimed at someone besides her. She should have moved to leave, but she felt frozen.
“Barry, let’s go upstairs…” Al put his hand on Barry’s arm, but Barry shrugged it off.
“That’s all right, Al. I was just leaving,” Roxanne said as she saw several media people, including the two that were camped at her house, through the window. They approached the coffee shop. She turned to Laura who noticed them too.
Laura looked as though she was about to be pushed into the deep end of the pool. Dr. Oki’s ever-calm façade bore a slight frown, though he didn’t move. Al’s face had alarm written all over it, from his sweat-beaded forehead to the compressed lips. Roxanne wasn’t even going to guess at what made him most angry. She turned to Paul Paris. His fists were clenched and he looked like he wanted to finish his fight with Barry right here and now.
She forced herself to turn toward Barry’s face, at the same time as the reporters came through the coffee shop door. Barry’s eyes were on her, flashing with emotion like she’d never seen.
Dr. Oki grabbed Paul’s arm, mumbling something about a consultation up in his office and started to lead him around some tables toward the door. Laura grabbed Roxanne.
“Let’s go,” she said.
“Wait a minute,” Barry said to her, the anger gone from his voice. Roxanne’s eyes snapped around to meet his for a split second. But she would never know what he was going to say.
“Mr. Dennis…” The reporter was on him with a microphone shoved as close to Barry’s mouth as he could get it. Cameras flashed. TV cameras aimed. More reporters followed.
“Mr. Dennis, what was your reason for posting bail for Roxanne Monet, an accused murderer?” The question was loud.
Everyone froze. Except the reporters. Roxanne’s heart stopped.
Paul tugged himself away from Dr. Oki and wheeled around to the cameras. “Why do you think? He probably helped her ice her husband.”
No one had a chance to stop Barry. The left-handed blow to Paul Paris’s face flew swiftly and landed cleanly. Paul hit the floor before anyone reacted.
But then, all hell broke loose and Roxanne felt as if she were in the eye of a hurricane. Dr. Oki took control of Paul, enlisting the aid of a nurse in the vicinity. Al grabbed Barry and this time put a grip on him that would not be undone—or Barry allowed himself to be dragged back out the door and through the crowd that had gathered. The media mob pounced on her.
“Is this true, Ms. Monet? Is there any truth to Paul Paris’s accusations?”
“What were you doing here at the hospital this morning?”
“How long have you been involved with Barry Dennis?”
“Why did you kill your husband?”
That question made her move. With Laura’s help, she pushed her way through the mob and flashing cameras to the door. She hardly saw their faces and didn’t let any more of the questions register in her mind. She only met the eyes of one reporter on her way out. Pat Banyan. He shoved a microphone toward her and opened his mouth to ask a question.
“Don’t even think about it,” she said too quietly for anyone to hear but him. For that moment she focused all her anger at him in the pinpoint of her stare. He didn’t speak. She turned away and escaped through the door with Laura.
They drove home in almost silence. Roxanne slouched in the passenger seat staring out the window, trying to keep her mind as blank and unfocused as possible. Laura shook her head and muttered under her breath, alternating with deep breathing and blowing out puffs of air as if she were in her second stage of labor.
It could have gone either way. Roxanne could have broken down into despairing sobs right then and there, or she could have laughed hysterically. She decided to laugh. Especially in light of Laura’s behavior.
“What the hell’s so funny, I’d like to know? This has been anything but funny. How can you be sitting there right now laughing?” Laura pulled the car into Roxanne’s driveway and looked at her with an incredulous stare. That made Roxanne laugh all the more. Her stomach began to get that tight ache that happened when she laughed too
hard. She knew she’d better stop before she could be considered certifiably hysterical. She calmed herself and patted Laura’s arm.
“I’m sorry, but I have so few choices. Would you rather see me sob?” She finally found a more even emotional setting and tried to steady herself there.
“No. I don’t know. Maybe. I know you probably feel like it. I couldn’t possibly see how the situation could get any worse. Maybe some day this will all be funny. But it doesn’t seem that way to me today.” Laura looked at her. “And I’m really sorry because I feel responsible since it was my idea for you to go to the hospital in the first place. I should have known better.”
The hospital. Lindy. Roxanne could feel herself slipping over the edge into the abyss of pain again and she shook her head. She couldn’t do it. Not yet. Not now. There was still a long way to go. “I guess I prefer to skip over all the despair and get right to the part where everything seems comical. There must be some kind of psychological term for that. Maybe they call it denial or something.” She smiled at Laura. Her chin trembled.
Laura shook her head and laughed through her tears. Roxanne leaned over and hugged her friend. Laura had tried so hard to be valiant through the whole ordeal. She had pushed herself well beyond her normal limits of emotional endurance.
Roxanne took a tissue from the console and wiped her friend’s face. They got out of the car.
“Let’s go in and have some tea or something. What is it one does in a situation like this?” Laura asked.
“How about a shot of whiskey?” Roxanne suggested as they walked into the kitchen. Laura laughed. Bonnie had the TV on tuned into the news and they were all front and center. She shook her head and put on the teakettle. They all sat at the kitchen table. Roxanne turned off the TV and they watched the fire in the fireplace instead.
“Lucky I saved you some whiskey. After seeing that news clip, I felt the need for a shot or two myself,” Bonnie said, then sat herself down.
Roxanne tried not to notice the men out back throwing the life-sized dummy off the deck down onto the rocks. Al said they’d be doing tests. She got up to watch.
