by Marta Perry
“Yes, normally, but this isn’t a normal situation.” She tried to hold on to a calmness she didn’t feel. “The nightmares are terrifying, even though he doesn’t yet remember them the next day.”
“Yet?” His tone was sharp.
“I don’t know for sure, but this might mean the memories of that night are beginning to come back. I feel strongly that we need to have some expert advice on how to handle that.”
She hoped that “we” would mollify him. She wanted to include Kevin’s grandparents, but not at the cost of what was best for him.
“Maybe I’m prejudiced, but I’ve never seen a psychologist do much good. Look at all the counseling Sylvia has had over the years. If you wait, the situation may resolve itself.”
She wasn’t really surprised that the judge didn’t think this was a good idea. Proud, conservative, controlling... He already considered Sylvia’s drinking an embarrassing weakness. He’d hate to have it said that his only grandchild had psychological problems.
And he cared about Kevin. She’d never doubted that, which made it harder to disagree with him on this, especially when she wasn’t as confident as she’d like to be.
“I understand your concerns. Really. I’ve worried about this, too. But I think I should at least keep the appointment and talk to the psychologist about it. If I’m not convinced it will help, I won’t go on with it.”
He nodded, seeming to accept her words. But he’d planted even more doubts in her mind. This was uncharted territory, and without Frank, she had to decide on her own.
* * *
JASON HADN’T YET been able to catch the judge alone, and the office day was nearly over. When questioned, Evelyn seemed to assume His Honor was heading straight home. She clearly intended to do the same since she stood at her desk, bag strap already on her shoulder.
Jason summoned a smile. “That’s fine. I’ll speak to him later. You’d better get on home.”
“If you’re sure.” Her face cleared, and she was already headed for the door as she spoke.
Trey had left a good half hour ago, citing a dinner date, so he was alone in the office. Well, if the judge wouldn’t come to him, he’d go to the judge. With no children in the house, it was safe to assume they didn’t have dinner this early. On the one occasion that the judge had invited him to a get-acquainted dinner, it had been at seven. And Jason’s itchy conscience wasn’t going to leave him alone until this was accomplished.
The drive to the judge’s home was uphill. As seemed to be true most places, the wealthy chose to put their residences on an elevation, presumably so they could look down on the rest of creation. Rather than buzzing to have the gate opened to the circular driveway, he parked on the street and walked up to the house.
The house was elegant and classic in style—sort of Greek Revival updated. He crossed the portico and rang the bell. Who knew if they’d even hear a knock, given how large the house was?
He tried to imagine a two-wheeler with training wheels leaning against a pillar, or a skateboard on the step. Impossible. The house itself would reject any such intrusion, he suspected.
Just as he was about to ring again, the door was opened by the woman he’d seen on his previous visit—Madge Hepple, he recalled. “Evening, Mrs. Hepple. Is Judge Morris at home? Jason Glassman to see him.”
“Of course, Mr. Glassman.” She didn’t look particularly welcoming, but that might be because he’d come unannounced. “Just wait for a moment, until I see if the judge is available to see you now.”
Leaving him standing there, she trotted off toward the room he knew was the judge’s study. He glanced around. Marble and more marble.
He’d hate to think of Kevin taking a tumble down those stairs. He could understand Deidre’s aversion to moving in here. Apart from everything else, the atmosphere seemed to impose quiet on visitors. Impossible to picture a child sliding down the banister or playing hide-and-seek in the hall.
And yet Frank had grown up here. Maybe it had been different when he was a boy. Or perhaps there was some more welcoming part of the house he had yet to see.
Mrs. Hepple emerged from the study, pulling the door partially closed behind her. “Judge Morris will see you now,” she announced, in tones that seemed reminiscent of a dentist’s office receptionist’s.
Jason gave her a deliberate smile, wondering what it would take to pierce that formal manner. “Thank you, Mrs. Hepple.”
He entered, and she closed the door noiselessly behind him. He’d give a lot to know if she still stood on the other side, listening.
“Jason. I wasn’t expecting you.” Judge Morris half rose, nodding toward a chair, and then dropped back heavily into a richly padded leather desk chair. It struck Jason that for the first time since he’d met him, the judge looked his age. Tension highlighted every line of his face, and his eyelids drooped as if he were too tired to keep his eyes open.
“I’m sorry to trouble you at home.” He made the routine apology as he took a seat. He’d actually rather stand, given what he had to say, but that would be too pointed.
As it were, this conversation would be short, even if it wasn’t sweet. No matter how the judge reacted to his statement, there was nothing he could do or say that would change anything as far as Jason was concerned.
Morris regarded him for a moment before he spoke. “I take it this is a private matter, not something that concerns the firm.”
“Yes.” Keep it simple and short, he reminded himself. Sharing facts, not feelings. “I’ve done as you asked in regard to your daughter-in-law. I haven’t found a shred of evidence that would lead anyone to believe that Deidre is unfit to raise her son.”
The heavy-lidded eyes stared at him. “What about the anonymous letter? Are you forgetting that?”
“No, sir. But you know yourself that an anonymous letter is hardly evidence, and I can’t imagine trying to present it in a courtroom. I’ve never seen Pastor Bennett act in anything but a pastoral role toward your daughter-in-law.” He sucked in a breath, knowing he needed to say more. “I spoke with Bennett myself. He admitted that he had developed...an admiration, he said, for Deidre. He enjoyed feeling that she relied on him. A feeling that I suspect was largely imaginary.”
“If he admits he has improper feelings for my son’s widow, haven’t you considered that she may return them?” It was an example of the judge’s questioning style—quick and incisive.
But he was already shaking his head. “I’ve observed them together. I would say she treats him as she does everyone else. And he said himself that she acts as if he were a naive little brother.”
“He may be lying to protect her.” But the judge’s decisiveness had drained away, and he leaned his head on his hand. The statement seemed like a halfhearted effort.
Jason shook his head again, mustering a slight smile. “Bennett made himself look foolish with that admission. He’s young and very conscious of his dignity. He wouldn’t say that if he could possibly pretend anything else.”
“A woman still died in her house—a woman she never should have entrusted with my grandson.” A flush of anger brightened his face. “Even if she wasn’t unfaithful to my son, Deidre certainly exercised poor judgment in her friends and put Kevin in jeopardy.”
This was going to require careful handling. He couldn’t let any hints of his own doubts show.
“I’m sure you’re aware that the police seem convinced that Dixie James was killed by her ex-husband. What happened was between the two of them and could have happened anywhere. It was just bad luck that it happened to be that particular evening, when she was at your daughter-in-law’s house. If you’re thinking of taking this matter to court, you know yourself how a judge is going to view it.”
Judge Morris didn’t respond. In fact, he seemed to have stopped paying attention altogether. He watched the pen
he held in one hand, making intersecting circles on the pristine blotter on the desk.
Apparently it was up to Jase. “My best advice to you is to drop the entire idea of pressing Deidre and Kevin to move in here. Right now you have a good situation in which you can see your grandson as much as you want. If you persist, you could turn Deidre against you entirely, and she might make it very difficult for you to have access to the boy.”
Knowing Deidre, he didn’t think she’d do that, but it was just as well to remind the judge that it was a possibility.
When the silence stretched on too long for comfort, he was forced to speak again. “I believe that I’ve fulfilled the task I agreed to. If my employment in the firm was conditional on resolving it to your satisfaction, I can turn my caseload over to Trey and be gone in a couple of days.”
Judge Morris waved that away, but Jason thought his mind was elsewhere. “No, of course not. You’re doing a good job, and the firm needs you. Perhaps it was futile to set about this to begin with.” He touched the silver-mounted photograph of Frank that sat on his desk. “I hoped to make amends to my son, but it’s too late. Too late.”
Jason let himself relax, only now realizing how keyed up he’d been since he walked in the door. It was done. Now he had a chance at a fresh start. With Deidre.
* * *
DEIDRE WAS SURPRISED to find Sylvia at her door that evening. “Sylvia, how nice.” She peered beyond her. Madge Hepple’s car sat in the driveway, but Madge was nowhere to be seen. “Did you drive yourself?”
“I had to.” Sylvia hurried into the living room, cast a glance at the front windows and spun toward the kitchen.
Bemused, Deidre followed her mother-in-law. She didn’t care where they visited, and it was less likely Kevin would hear them talking and pop out of bed if they were away from the stairs. “I don’t understand. Doesn’t Madge usually drive you when you want to go somewhere?”
Sylvia went into the workroom and drew the shades on the windows. A little shiver slid down Deidre’s spine. Was Sylvia on the verge of one of what the judge referred to as her nervous breakdowns?
“I couldn’t let her know what I was doing. Nobody must know I came here tonight.” She turned to Deidre, her eyes very bright. “Promise me.”
That glittering gaze alarmed her. “Yes, all right. I promise.”
She took Sylvia’s arm and led her to a chair, pulling another up next to it. “Now. Tell me what’s wrong.”
“I had to see you, and I didn’t want Madge spying on me.” She giggled, giving Deidre a sidelong look. “I couldn’t get my car out because Franklin keeps the garage locked, so I watched for my chance and took Madge’s keys. She really shouldn’t be so careless with them.”
This last bit was said with a righteous air. Deidre decided not to comment on that statement. There would be too many potholes to avoid.
“Well, I’m glad you’re here, in any case. Kevin is already in bed, but we can have a good chat.” She patted the woman’s heavily veined hand. “What’s on your mind?”
But Sylvia’s gaze was darting around the workroom. It lighted on the desk, and Deidre realized, too late, that the necklace was lying out. Naturally that was the first thing Sylvia zeroed in on.
“My necklace! I wondered where it had gotten to.” She scooped it up and held it against the blue sweater she wore, where it looked incongruous. The diamond piece really needed a cocktail dress or a gown to show it off.
“Yes, I...I found it.” Her mind scampered through possible explanations and didn’t find any. Anything but the truth, it seemed.
But Sylvia didn’t even ask the question, instead focusing on the sparkling of the diamonds.
“I never go anywhere suitable to wear it these days. I think the last time I had it on was the bar association’s Christmas dinner. Remember, Deidre? I wore my lace dress.”
“Yes, I remember.” The county bar association had one gala event per year, always during the holiday season. “You looked lovely.”
“That was a nice night.” She let the necklace drop into her lap. “I wish...” She let that trail off, and tears formed in her eyes.
Deidre took her hand in a warm clasp, trying to communicate calm and comfort. “What do you wish?”
Sylvia shook her head and blotted the tears away carefully. “I’m being foolish. That isn’t why I came. I had to come.” She grasped their linked hands, her fingers like talons. “I had to tell you. To warn you.”
The chill settled in the pit of her stomach. “Warn me about what?”
“About who.” For a moment Sylvia seemed almost rational. Composed in a way Deidre hadn’t seen in years. “You’ve gotten close, but you mustn’t trust him.”
She could only stare, trying to understand. “Who are you talking about?”
“Jason Glassman, of course. You can’t trust him.” Sylvia sounded perfectly sensible even as the outrageous words were spoken. “He’s working for Franklin.”
Deidre steadied. “He works at the office, Sylvia. He took Frank’s place in the firm. You knew that, didn’t you?”
But Sylvia was shaking her head. “No, no. That’s not what I mean.” She closed her eyes, seeming to struggle for control. “You have to listen. I heard them. Franklin and that Glassman. Tonight. They were talking in the study. I wanted to know what was happening, so I slipped into the sitting room. I was clever. I eased the door open so quietly they never knew. Then I could hear perfectly.”
The room spun around her before returning to stability. Was this real, or a product of Sylvia’s disordered imagination?
“What were they saying?” If she knew what Sylvia thought she’d heard, she’d be able to judge.
“Glassman said he’d done everything Franklin told him. He’d tried to find something against you. I guess he didn’t, because he thought Franklin would fire him.”
Deidre pressed her fingers against her lips, trying to sort this out. It couldn’t be true. The implication was that Jason had been working against her all the time he’d been acting as if he cared. Even worse, he’d let Kevin become fond of him, start to rely on him.
“No.” The word burst from her. “It can’t be. You must have misunderstood.”
Sylvia gave her a pitying look. “You think I’ve been drinking again. That I imagined it all. But I didn’t. It happened just the way I said.” Her grip tightened painfully. “That’s why I had to come. I had to warn you not to trust him. He’d help Franklin take Kevin away from you.”
The pain in her heart was so real that Deidre pressed her hand against her chest. Was this what it felt like when your heart broke?
Betrayal. Jason had talked about how the woman he’d loved had betrayed him. Had that even been real, or just a ploy to touch her emotions?
“Sylvia, you have to help me.” She leaned toward the older woman, her eyes intent on her face. “If this is real, if Franklin is trying to take Kevin away from me, you have to help me.”
Sylvia’s gaze faltered. “I don’t... How can I? I can’t do anything.”
“Of course you can. You’d have to agree if he tried to bring suit to be declared Kevin’s guardian.” Just saying the words was difficult. “You have to stand up against him. Tell him Kevin belongs with me. That’s what you think, isn’t it?”
“You’re a good mother.” Sylvia’s eyes filled with tears. “I wasn’t a good mother to Frankie. I was too weak. I let Franklin drive him away with all his demands.”
It took all the strength she had to remain calm. “Frank loved you. You know that. You have to help me now, for Frankie’s sake. For Kevin’s sake.”
But Sylvia had lost whatever poise she’d mustered. The impetus that had brought her here had spent itself, and she seemed to sag into herself. “I can’t. You know I can’t. How can I stand up against Franklin?” The words poured out
. “He wouldn’t let me. He’d have me locked up in that hospital again.” Fear flooded her face. “Don’t ask me. I can’t.”
She dissolved in tears. Deidre put her arms around her mother-in-law and faced the truth. Sylvia couldn’t help her. Jason... A knife pierced her heart. Jason had betrayed her. There had never been anything real between them. All that was left was misery.
She had to face the judge’s plans alone.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
BY THE NEXT AFTERNOON, Jason couldn’t possibly wait any longer to see Deidre. He’d been so eager to see her the previous evening without his deception weighing on his mind that at first he hadn’t noticed how strained she’d sounded on the phone.
It had been nothing, she’d insisted. A headache, that’s all. Too many sleepless nights, and Kevin might well be up in the wee hours again. She was going to bed early.
Now that he thought through that short conversation, he saw what he should have seen immediately. She’d given a few too many excuses for any one of them to be the entire truth. With a client or a witness, he’d have seen that instantly. He didn’t seem able to think rationally where Deidre was concerned.
He had to see her, to tell her...what? If he came out with the truth about his deal with the judge at this late date, how could she—how could anyone—forgive?
At least this was a good time to catch her alone. Kevin would be at kindergarten, so he’d have the privacy he needed. Everything was falling into place, so why wasn’t he relieved?
Jase’s fingers tightened on the steering wheel as he slowed in front of the house. He’d thought getting things straight with the judge would be enough, but it wasn’t, and he had to stop kidding himself. He had to tell Deidre what he’d done, or their relationship would be built on a lie.
Parking the car, he walked to the door, formulating opening sentences in his mind. If he could prepare an argument for the court when a man’s life and liberty were at stake, he ought to be able to find a way to say he was sorry for what he’d done.