Feared

by Lisa Scottoline

  “How dare you pull such a stunt?” Mary jumped to her feet. She grabbed Judy’s arm and hoisted her out of the chair, snagging her purse on the fly.

  Judy burst into tears, losing control. “Oh my God, Detective, where did you get that ring?” she blurted out, heartbroken. “Where did you find that? Was that in his apartment?”

  “Is this your engagement ring, Ms. Carrier?” Detective Krakoff stood up with a triumphant smile, holding the beautiful ring box in his outstretched hand. “I have the receipt for it, if you want to see that, too. He bought it three weeks ago.”

  “That’s it!” Mary flung the door open and pulled Judy outside.

  “He was going to propose to you, wasn’t he?” Detective Krakoff called after them, following them out of the interview room. “You were his girlfriend, weren’t you? I take it that’s a ‘yes’?”

  Mary hurried a sobbing Judy out of the squad room and down the hallway, hustling for the elevator.

  But even she knew it was too late.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  Mary hustled Judy past the crowd of reporters, which had increased since earlier this morning. She assumed that they were at the Roundhouse for the double homicide in the Northeast, John’s murder, and any other sordid news crumbs they could get, but Judy’s outburst drew them like flies.

  “Yo, what’s going on?” “Any comment?” The reporters shouted questions and raised video cameras and cell phones, recording audio and video. “Is that Judith Carrier?” “Ms. Carrier, what’s the problem, any comment?” “Is this about the Foxman murder?”

  “No comment!” Mary shouted over her shoulder, putting her arm around Judy, who was trying to regain control, wiping her eyes. They hustled together through the parking lot to the street, and Mary looked for a cab with reporters chasing them.

  “Mary, why is Judy Carrier here?” “Where is Bennie Rosato?” “What’s going on with the Foxman murder?” “Do they have any suspects?”

  “I told you we’d make a statement later!” Mary shouted back, spotting a cab coming toward them, so she flagged him down frantically.

  “Come on, Mary!” “What’s going on?” “This has to be about the Foxman murder?” “Do they have any leads?” “You’re not suspects, are you?”

  Mary stiffened. She couldn’t leave that question unanswered. She had to think on her feet. She turned to the reporters. “Hold on, I have a comment.”

  “They must have a lead, don’t they?” “What’s going on?” “What’s your comment?”

  Mary waved them into silence. “Folks, we don’t know any more than you do. We met with the detectives and we hope they will find whoever killed our friend and associate, John Foxman. You can see for yourself the toll this is taking on us. We pray that the police will bring the killer to justice.”

  “Ms. Carrier, any comment?” “Any comment?” “Any leads, Ms. Carrier?”

  “She has no comment,” Mary answered for Judy, just as the cab arrived and parked at the curb. She flung open the door, stowed Judy inside, and jumped in, closing the door. “Driver, head toward Center City, thanks.”

  “Got it, lady,” the driver called over his shoulder, hitting the gas, and the cab lurched into traffic heading toward the expressway.

  Mary turned to Judy, who was still distraught, her eyes bloodshot and her skin mottled with emotion. “Honey, I’m so sorry. I didn’t see that coming.”

  “You couldn’t have.” Judy sniffled, wiping her cheeks, leaving pinkish streaks. “I can’t believe he bought a ring. He was going to propose, Mary. I was this close, this close to everything I ever wanted…” Judy started to cry again, and Mary gave her a hug, rubbing her back.

  “I know, honey, and I’m so sorry.”

  “He was going to propose … all that time we were fighting.” Judy sobbed. “He was going to … propose.”

  “We’ll get through this somehow.” Mary kept rubbing her back, sensing that the revelation of the engagement ring had struck Judy like a blow, a double whammy after the shock of John’s death.

  Judy’s phone started ringing in her pocket, and she let go of Mary, her eyes brimming with tears. “That’s probably Bennie.” Judy took her phone out of her pocket. “Oh, it’s William’s group home. I better get it.” She took the call, sniffling quickly. “Hello, this is Judy Carrier … Of course, yes, hi, Mike … Oh, my … Hold on, let me put you on speaker so my friend can hear.” Judy pressed the button. “Mike, yes, so can you explain what’s happening?”

  “Sure, Judy. This is Mike Shanahan, the supervisor at Glenn Meade. You remember, we’ve met a few times, when you and John came to see William.”

  “Of course, Mike.” Judy gave a final sniffle.

  “You have my deepest condolences over the loss of John. He was so young, and this is a terrible tragedy.”

  “Thank you. I’ve been trying to call William but there hasn’t been any answer. Are the Hodges there? You know, William and John’s aunt and uncle? Susan and Mel Hodge?”

  “No, that’s what I’m calling about. We have a problem. You see, when John was murdered, the police notified the Hodges. They called me and told me the bad news and said they wanted to tell William themselves. They were going to fly out this weekend and were due to arrive today. Unfortunately, Susan Hodge fell on the escalator at Minneapolis airport and may have broken her ankle. Mel is with her. They’re at a hospital in Minneapolis now.”

  “Oh no.” Judy frowned.

  “So they won’t be able to fly in to see William today. Since you know him pretty well, maybe you should be the one to tell him that John passed. I can do it, but it might be better coming from you.”

  “So he doesn’t know … anything?” Judy grimaced, wiping her eyes.

  “No, and he’s expecting John and you today for your Sunday visit. You know, you guys usually come in the afternoon.”

  “Right, of course.” Judy sighed heavily. “I think he should hear it from me, too.”

  “That’s why I called you. William had your number. John had given it to him.”

  “Okay.” Judy bucked up. “I’ll tell him today.”

  “Thanks.” Mike sounded relieved, even to Mary. “What time will you be here?”

  “Around three.”

  “Okay. See you then. Good-bye.”

  “Good-bye.” Judy hung up, her watery gaze connecting with Mary. “You heard it. I have to go out there. It’s in Devon.”

  “I’m so sorry you have to deal with this.”

  “It’s okay. John would want William to hear it from me. He never liked Shanahan, and it’s the right thing to do.” Judy straightened up, and Mary could see a change in her demeanor, like a renewed sense of purpose.

  “I’ll go with you.”

  “No, don’t even think about it.” Judy got a Kleenex out of her pocket and blew her nose. “You have work to do. Go back to the office and immerse yourself in London Technologies.”

  “No, thanks.” Mary found a smile. “I’ve had enough data integration for one day. I’m going with you.”

  “But you have a deposition to defend tomorrow.”

  “I’ll be fine. I know enough to hum a few bars.”

  “Plus you’re pregnant.”

  “I am? Who knew?”

  “Do you feel up to it?”

  “Sure, if I eat so I can throw up.” Mary leaned forward and said to the cabbie, “Driver, change of plans. We’re heading to Devon.”

  “You got it,” the driver said, switching to the left lane, toward the expressway ramp to the western suburbs.

  Judy wiped her eyes, regaining her composure. “John was all William had. I don’t even know what will happen to him now.”

  “Will the aunt and uncle become his guardian?”

  “I don’t know. That’s the kind of thing you provide for in a will.” Judy frowned, rubbing her forehead. “I don’t know where my brain is. I remembered John told me there’s a trust that provides for William. So I’m sure John had a will. That would be lik
e him.”

  Mary thought a minute. “What about a funeral? I’m getting the impression that the aunt and uncle are out of the picture, aren’t you? Somebody has to plan a funeral.”

  “Oh man, I guess I do.” Judy inhaled deeply, straightening in the backseat of the cab.

  “I can help you do that too, honey.” Mary felt a wrench in her chest that she sensed would never go away. She remembered planning her first husband’s funeral. Her parents had offered to help, but in the end, she had done it alone, as her final act of love. Suddenly Mary’s phone started ringing, interrupting her reverie. “This must be Bennie.” She checked the screen and answered the call. “Hey, Bennie.”

  “DiNunzio, we just saw you on TV. Judy looks so upset. Did something happen?”

  “Yes, I can explain later. We’re heading out to the suburbs to meet John’s brother, William. Judy has to tell him the bad news about John.”

  “Oh, my. Did you learn anything from the police?”

  “Yes.” Mary gave her the rundown over the new details of John’s murder, leaving out the part about the engagement ring. Judy didn’t need to relive that moment, especially now that she had regained her equilibrium.

  “Good job,” Bennie said, after Mary had finished. “Hold on, Isaac wants to speak with you.”

  “Fine,” Mary said, suppressing her annoyance. Judy turned her head away, looking out the window with a heavy sigh.

  Isaac came on the line. “Mary, Judy?” he said, bubbling over. “You guys did terrific! You couldn’t have done better!”

  “I owe it all to my pregnancy,” Mary said dryly.

  “Your statement was short and sweet, and those tears from Judy, wow! They could not have been more perfect. You two were the very picture of—”

  “Thanks, Isaac, bye now.” Mary hung up, abruptly.

  Judy turned from the window with a shaky smile. “Thanks.”

  “My pleasure,” Mary said, smiling back.

  Suddenly, Mary’s phone started ringing again, with the unusual ring of a FaceTime call, and she looked down to see Machiavelli was calling. She showed Judy the screen. “The hits just keep on coming, don’t they?”

  Judy’s eyes widened. “You should take it.”

  “Why?”

  “He’s suing us. You never know.”

  “Okay.” Mary took the call, and Machiavelli popped onto the screen, dressed in a gray suit with a white polo shirt. His hair was slicked back, and his narrow eyes glittered darkly. He was wearing his fake-earnest face, but Mary didn’t know why.

  “Mare, you looked damn good on TV. I think you’re even sexier pregnant, you know that?”

  “What do you want? I told you not to call.”

  “I went to early Mass. I didn’t see you.”

  Mary suppressed an eye roll. They lived in the same parish, and the thought of him sitting in her church made her blood boil. “Why are you calling?”

  “I wanted to pay my respects about John Foxman. My condolences. I lit a candle for him. So did my mom.”

  Listening, Judy shrugged, but Mary wasn’t fooled. “Thank you,” she said, coldly. “Now why did you really call?”

  “Is Judy still with you? Tell her I’m sorry.”

  “I’m hanging up.”

  “I’m giving you another chance to settle, considering. This must be tough, after Foxman’s murder. You got your hands full. Judy’s crying at the Roundhouse. You’re stressed out and you’re havin’ a baby. You don’t need this hanging over your head.”

  “We’re not settling. Didn’t Roger tell you that?”

  “Yes, but I’m talking to you now. Come on, I’m not gonna negotiate against myself. Gimme a number.”

  “No, now I have to go—”

  “Mare, you’re not thinking. My case against you just got stronger. You know that, don’t you?”

  “How? Why?” Mary grimaced, disgusted. Judy recoiled, off-screen.

  “Mare, think. Foxman’s statements, his admissions, are already on the record. They’re going to come into evidence in my case against you guys. They’re not hearsay anymore. And, now you won’t have a chance to rehabilitate or cross-examine him.”

  “That’s so sick! That’s ghoulish!” Mary recoiled. She hadn’t even begun to think about how John’s murder affected their reverse-discrimination case.

  “Whatever, be real, Mare. It makes my case more credible than ever, even sympathetic. The main witness against you ends up murdered? You know I’m gonna use that. I have an obligation to my clients to use that. I’m going to turn that frown upside down—”

  “You are so revolting! Never ever call me again!” Mary hung up, and Judy looked appalled.

  “He’s ruthless.”

  “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you.” Mary shuddered. “Sorry I took the call. I should’ve known better.”

  “We can’t settle, no way.” Judy shook her head, newly determined. “I’ll turn his frown right-side up. With my fist.”

  “Attagirl,” Mary said, forcing a smile.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  Mary and Judy got dropped off at the entrance of Glenn Meade, and they walked along a paved asphalt path that led to William’s house, which was on the southern edge of the campus. Oak trees lined the path, shedding dappled sunlight on the manicured lawns, and Mary marveled as they walked along. Glenn Meade wasn’t a single group home like the one she had seen, but a large, clustered development of modern, redbrick apartment buildings, modified to accommodate some 125 residents and connected by paved asphalt paths. The campus was fifty-five acres and surrounded by woods that had been made handicap accessible with more paved asphalt paths.

  “This place is incredible,” Mary said as they walked along.

  “I know, it’s wonderful. John used to feel really good that William was in such a nice place.”

  Mary spotted a sign that read Duck Pond, which blew her mind. “I’ve been to plenty of group homes, and this is the nicest. It must cost a fortune. Who pays, can I ask?”

  “Yes, but it’s a sad story.” Judy frowned. “William has cerebral palsy, caused by a birth injury. The obstetrician who delivered him was drunk at the time. He was an alcoholic.”

  “Oh no,” Mary said, appalled. “I never knew that. John kept it to himself, even when we worked together.”

  “That would be John. That’s why I was so surprised by the ring.” Judy looked away as they walked along, and Mary couldn’t imagine how hard this was for her, to have just lost John and now to have to tell his brother the awful news.

  “I’m so sorry about all of this, honey.”

  “Thanks, but anyway, let me answer your question. What happened was that William’s mother’s regular obstetrician was out of town when she went into labor, so his partner covered for him, but he was so drunk that he couldn’t even function at the delivery.” Judy’s lips curled in disgust. “If it hadn’t been for a nurse who stepped in, William would’ve died. John’s mother might have, too.”

  “Oh no.” Mary shuddered, her hand going involuntarily to her belly.

  “Oops, I didn’t mean to freak you out.” Judy grimaced as they walked along. “I’m sorry, I don’t know what I was thinking—”

  “No, it’s okay.” Mary knew it was unlikely that anything would go wrong with her delivery, but that didn’t mean she didn’t worry. Constantly.

  “The hospital knew the obstetrician was an alcoholic, but they covered it up. Their negligence was so clear that John’s family sued when William was a year old and they got a great settlement. That’s what funded William’s trust, and it should care for him for the rest of his life, at Glenn Meade.” Judy shook her head. “I love all medical mal lawyers now. They may have cheesy commercials, but they’re doing God’s work. Doctors make mistakes just like everybody else and they have to be held to account.”

  “Right.” Mary felt the same way. “Lawyer jokes are real funny until somebody leaves a sponge in your mom.”

  “Exactly.” Judy nodded. �
�William’s forty-two and he’s lived here for about twenty years. He loves it. There’s only six residents in his apartment. He gets along with them all, and they have roughly the same level of intellectual disability.”

  “What is his level of intellectual disability?” Mary knew from her special-education practice that there were different levels of functioning for people with cerebral palsy, and she had been successful in mainstreaming many of her younger clients.

  “He functions intellectually on about a fourth-grade level. It’s not always easy to understand him, and his hands are spastic, like knotted, and he can’t feed or bathe himself. Still, he can work his laptop using voice-recognition software and he’s on Facebook and Instagram, too. John helped him set up the pages.” Judy smiled sadly, but it passed. “He opens his iPhone with his knuckle and has voice-recognition software on it too, and Siri.”

  “God bless voice recognition.” Mary had seen the same thing with her young clients who had special needs.

  “I know, it’s opened up a whole new world for people with CP. John got him an Alexa, and it recognizes his voice and commands, and he uses that to turn on the lights and TV and play his playlist from his phone.”

  “What’s his personality like? Is he like John?”

  “John always used to say, ‘William is the nice one and I’m the mean one.’ But that wasn’t true. John wasn’t mean.” Judy smiled, sadly.

  “No, he wasn’t.” Mary felt for her.

  “He took such incredible care of William. He came out here all the time to visit him and they would just hang. He was picky about the way they took care of William. And you know John, he didn’t suffer fools.”

  Mary smiled. “Now that sounds like him.”

  “The guy we talked to on the phone, Mike Shanahan? He started about six months ago. John thought he wasn’t as attentive as he should be, but anyway, William is happy here and he’s a total sweetheart, you’ll see. He’s friendly, outgoing, and he loves people. And music, hip-hop mostly.” Judy smiled again, shakily. “It drives John crazy—it drove John crazy. John downloaded Mahler for him, but William wanted Jay-Z.”