“I tried not to. I hated myself for it. But the more I hated myself, the more I screwed up. The break-in at our office scared the shit out of me, Kali. But I still couldn’t stop.”
“You think that was drug related?”
“I’m sure it was. Rodale was nervous about being busted. When we started looking at him in connection with Deirdre’s murder, I guess he put two and two together and got five.” There was a moment’s silence. “Also, I recognized the guy who came after us as someone I’d seen with Tony.”
“What? Why didn’t you tell the police?”
“How could I? Not without coming clean about my own involvement.”
“Oh, Marc. How did you let yourself get into such a mess?”
“When I think what might have happened, Kali, how you might have been hurt. How you might have been killed even . . .” His voice faded for a moment. “I don’t know how I got to this point. I can’t believe this is really me. That I’ve fucked up so totally.”
“You can still turn your life around, you know. It isn’t too late.”
“Yeah,” His tone lacked conviction. “That’s what they say.”
“It’s true, Marc. It’s in your hands.”
“Not very capable hands, from the looks of things.”
“You can change that.”
He gave a bitter laugh. “Maybe.” Another moment’s pause. “I’m sorry, Kali. Truly sorry. For everything.”
“Marc, you can—”
He cut me off. “I’m not sure I can, that’s the problem.”
“You’ve taken the first step by getting help.”
Silence hung between us. “I wanted things to be different,” Marc said finally. “I wanted us to have a future.”
“Me too,” I whispered.
“Maybe . . .” He paused. “Well, you never know what tommorow holds.”
“I’m rooting for you, Marc. Remember that.”
Epilogue
Nina and Grady have a son. He weighed in at a healthy seven pounds three ounces and has been gaining steadily ever since.
Nina is halfway through the prescribed course of chemo. She’s lost her hair but not her spirit or resolve. There are times, like the two days early on when she was vomiting so heavily, she had to be hospitalized, that she wonders if she has the strength to continue the fight. But those times are remarkably few and fleeting. Grady has been a diligent husband and friend to her, surprising me, and I think Nina as well, with his sensitivity and support.
I’ve spoken with Marc several times but only over the phone. He’s fighting demons too, and holding his own. But I’m not sure his resolve is as strong as Nina’s. Only time will tell.
Both Nina and Marc would like me to stay on with the legal practice permanently. It’s an offer I’d have jumped at a couple of years ago but I’m less certain now.
We are making our way, each of us, a step at a time.
About the Author
Jonnie Jacobs is the bestselling author of fourteen mystery and suspense novels. A former practicing attorney and the mother of two grown sons, she lives in northern California with her husband. Email her at [email protected] or visit her on the web at http://www.jonniejacobs.com.
Books by Jonnie Jacobs (in order)
Kali O’Brien Novels of Legal Suspense
SHADOW OF DOUBT
EVIDENCE OF GUILT
MOTION TO DISMISS
WITNESS FOR THE DEFENSE
COLD JUSTICE
INTENT TO HARM
THE NEXT VICTIM
The Kate Austen Mysteries
MURDER AMONG NEIGHBORS
MURDER AMONG FRIENDS
MURDER AMONG US
MURDER AMONG STRANGERS
Non-series books
THE ONLY SUSPECT
PARADISE FALLS
LYING WITH STRANGERS
Motion to Dismiss (A Kali O'Brien Legal Mystery) Page 32