Privileged Witness

by Rebecca Forster

  Doctor Wharton put his hands in his jacket and hunched against the brisk breeze that kicked up. He noted Josie's blazer. They were on the move again heading back to the hospital.

  ''It was Matthew she idealized and no one could live up to her perception of him. When he rejected her through frustration or anger or a desire to live his own life, Grace couldn't bear it and fled. But she was pathologically drawn to Matthew again and again. There was no Grace without Matthew.''

  ''I can't even imagine,'' Josie mused. ''It must have been hell for both of them.''

  ''It is the psychological equivalent of stalking.'' Doctor Wharton said. ''Matthew's fear of Grace warred with his sense of responsibility to her. Grace was frightened because she couldn't control the overwhelming sense of admiration she felt for Matthew. She had to be near him every minute or everyday.''

  ''Then what was she looking for with all those men?'' Josie asked.

  ''A way to control herself. If Grace could care about someone who wasn't anything like Matthew, then she would be able to control her disorder.'' Doctor Wharton kicked at a stone. It landed in Josie's path. She kicked it back as she listened. ''Grace called me for approval to see Matthew when he contacted her. I gave it. Matthew was married and Grace was excited about having a sister-in-law. I didn't mean for her to insinuate herself into their lives. I meant for her to see him, come to terms with their relationship and continue with the life she was establishing for herself.''

  ''But when she saw Matthew she fell back into the same old trap of this erotomania?'' Josie asked.

  ''Actually, no,'' Doctor Wharton said thoughtfully. ''I only spoke to her once after they reunited. She seemed to view him in a much more reasonable manner. Grace knew he wasn't perfect. She understood his failings and forgave them. She recognized him for the man he was – frailties and all.''

  ''But. . .'' Josie urged him on though he was reluctant to finish the story.

  ''But there was someone else Grace spoke of. Someone in a position of authority who was close to Matthew. Poor Grace had simply transferred her feelings from one person to another.''

  ''Tim Douglas,'' Josie said.

  ''Oh, no. Michelle McCreary,'' he corrected. ''Imagine that. A woman.''

  CHAPTER 41

  Josie didn't cry at Susan O'Connel's funeral. Neither did the women from the halfway house. Faye was dry eyed and Hannah was cried out. The only woman who wept stood apart, dressed in an ill-fitting suit; her hair was striped in chunky highlights done on the cheap. That woman was Susan's best friend from her old life and Josie had no sympathy. She hadn't bothered to help Susan while she was alive and all the tears in the world weren't going to help now. Josie hoped the woman remembered this day if she ever had another friend like Susan O'Connel.

  Two men stood at the gravesite: the priest who talked about the suffering now ended and Detective Babcock who looked for any sign of Susan's boogie man. Archer arrived just as the priest was wrapping up and the droning of a lawn mower sounded. He had donned a dress shirt and a tweed jacket for the occasion but no tie. The mourners scattered. Hannah went on with Faye as Josie met up with Archer.

  ''Thanks for coming.'' She accepted a kiss on the cheek.

  ''Late, but it couldn't be helped.'' Archer looked over Josie's shoulder as Babcock joined them. The two men shook hands.

  ''Find out anything at the harbor.''

  ''Nope,'' Archer said resignedly. ''They'd talk if they knew anything. Nobody likes this. They don't know where Kevin O'Connel is.''

  ''Great,'' Josie sighed. ''So there are two people who hate my guts wandering around. That's just great.''

  Josie trudged off over the deep green grass of the cemetery not knowing what to think. Kevin O'Connel was just pure evil, but Grace? What was Grace's story? Grace adored Michelle because Michelle adored Matthew. Michelle flakes, no longer the loving wife and Grace gives her the boot over the side of an eleven-storey building.

  Throwing her head up, Josie looked at the sky then around at the cemetery and suddenly she was surrounded. Babcock was on one side of her, Archer on the other. It had been this way since Grace took off and Susan was killed.

  ''The South Bay is covered looking for O'Connel. Hermosa promised a drive-by at least twice a night, but I wouldn't count on that. You're going to have to watch her back during the day. Grace McCreary's on the radar, too, but protecting you isn't priority until one of Grace or O'Connel makes a move.''

  ''I know the law and I know the cops do what they can. I'll watch it,'' Josie said as she put out her hands and stopped them. ''Wait here. I want to talk to Hannah alone.''

  Josie left the men behind and dug up a smile as she reached Faye and Hannah.

  ''You guys okay?''

  Hannah nodded. Faye said something reassuring and appropriate that no one believed.

  ''Are you all packed? Do you need money?'' Josie moved closer to Hannah who nodded to the first question, shook her head to the second and was clearly unhappy.

  ''I should be staying with you,'' she complained. ''Just in case something happens.''

  ''No, Hannah. I'd be worrying about you. I want you safe,'' Josie said and looked at Faye. ''Nobody's going to bet past Faye, right?''

  ''Nobody,'' Faye agreed, but Josie saw the concern in her eyes. It was unfair to put the older woman in this position but it was the best Josie could do.

  ''But why can't I at least come to see you?'' Hannah moved closer, picking at Josie's sleeve, her lips moving, counting. Josie took the girl's hands. She couldn't bear the counting and tapping today.

  ''If either O'Connel or Grace are watching me, I don't want them to know where you are. Billy is going to be with you at school. He'll keep an eye out.''

  ''He's an idiot,'' Hannah mumbled, but there was a catch in her voice.

  ''No,'' Josie corrected gently. ''Billy knows everyone at the beach. He'd know if something was wrong before I would.'' Josie moved closer. She put a hand to Hannah's beautiful hair and looked into those spring green eyes made sharper by the perception that she was being left, that someone she loved would never come back to her. ''If I know you're safe, Hannah, then I can do what I've got to do. Okay?''

  Hannah nodded and lowered her head. Josie's hand slipped to the girl's chin. Her dark skin was warm and soft. She tipped Hannah's head up, leaned close and whispered.

  ''No cutting. Not on my account,'' Josie warned and Hannah stiffened. There was a flutter in the muscle of her jaw that Josie could feel. ''Promise, Hannah.''

  Hannah did with an almost imperceptible nod. Josie let her go. She looked at Faye, a surrogate grandmother who would be ever watchful. It wouldn't be for long. It couldn't be for long or Josie would be the one losing her mind.

  Hands in the pockets of her blazer, Josie walked toward the cars parked along the curb of the winding lanes of the cemetery. She reached for the handle on the Hummer but Babcock got to it before she did. He bowed slightly when he opened it and that made Josie smile sadly knowing she wouldn't be seeing Babcock much anymore. Grace could disappear forever or jump off a building or find a man who would do what Kevin O'Connel did to his wife and Josie would never know what happened. If the cops did find her, Grace would never be tried for Michelle's murder because Josie was already talking to P.J. about a plea. Babcock would go on with his business and so would she.

  ''I trust you still have my card. I hope you'll use the numbers,'' he said as he held the door.

  ''Personalized service from the cops,'' Josie said. ''What's the world coming to?''

  ''Concern from a friend,'' Babcock answered as closed the door and stepped back three paces, pivoted and walked to his car. Josie cocked her elbow on the open window and put a hand to her lips. Archer slid in beside her.

  ''Where to?''

  ''Home,'' Josie said.

  ''Sounds good. I'll get us something to eat and bring it back.''

  ''Alone, babe. I just want to be left alone.''

  CHAPTER 42

  Josie watched television curled up i
n the big living room chair. Max snoozed by her side. The lights were low; the night wearing on as every night had worn on during the past week. Archer had been banished because Josie couldn't function while he kept an eye on her and waited for her to break. It was no secret that Susan's death and Grace's fugitive status had brought Josie's judgment into question. Hannah's exile underscored the emptiness of Josie's life. Matthew by turns laid blame at her doorstep for Grace's predicament and accused Josie of being in collusion with his sister to ruin hid career. She listened to his long and rambling, angry and cajoling messages but all she really heard was his self pitying wails. Josie couldn't find the strength to answer his concerns or his charges.

  Then she was staring him in the eye right in her living room and Matthew was smiling and confident. It was thirty seconds of broadcast political fluff. Though he hadn't been seen publicly since Grace's disappearance, Matthew's machine was still in fully oiled and his TV spots ran almost constantly. Tim Douglas and Grace McCreary were the only true casualties of this whole thing.

  Josie pushed the remote, disappeared Matthew McCreary and stretched. Max raised his head. Josie ruffled his ears.

  ''What do you say? One last walk?''

  Max seemed dismayed but struggled to his feet as if he knew this was more for her benefit than his. If she got some exercise she wouldn't dream when she slept. Josie hated the dream. It was annoying and it never changed. Every night Josie dreamed she was having dinner with Grace. Grace was dressed in a beautiful white suit; Josie in torn jogging clothes. They sat across from one another while Grace smoked and the emerald ring twirled. Then Grace's finger fell off and Josie choked to death on the smoke. Sometimes Kevin O'Connel was the waiter. He brought no food. He stood by the table until Grace's finger fell off and Josie choked to death on the cigarette smoke. Josie was frightened until she realized the dream meant nothing.

  ''Okay, my man.'' She sighed and forced herself to fetch Max's frayed and dirty neon pink leash, more an accessory than a necessity. Old and infirmed with arthritis, Max couldn't have run away if he wanted to. The best he could do would be to amble out of Josie's life and she knew that would never happen.

  ''I know it's late. Yeah, come one. . .a little walk. . .''

  Josie talked to the dog, finding some comfort in the sound of her own voice and the plans she was making for the next day. Tomorrow she would bring Hannah home. It was time to get on with life and chalk Grace McCreary up to experience, Kevin O'Connel to cowardice and Susan O'Connel to fate. That's what Josie decided as she opened the door and guided Max onto the porch, down the three steps and onto the walkway where, without warning, Max dropped back on his haunches, tail under, the fur on the back of his neck bristling as he targeted the stand of bushes and growled. Paralyzed, Josie could only wind his leash twice around her hand and pull him close.

  He strained toward the privy hedge that separated her from her neighbors. Suddenly, Max lurched, pulling Josie forward as he snarled and snapped. She called out, giving into reaction rather than reason.

  ''Come out! Now!''

  Had her voice shaken? Was it Kevin O'Connel, there to kill her? If it was she was afraid but Max was not. He danced toward the bushes. Forward and back. Agitated, courageous, unafraid, Josie took note and followed his example. She was going to take her life back.

  ''Face me you bastard,'' she called.

  Heart pounding, hands shaking Josie touched the greenery only to pull away in panic. But nothing happened. No Kevin O'Connel screamed out at her, slashed at her with a knife, and pummeled her with his fists. Josie pulled at a branch. Max bumped her leg and paced behind her, beside her. The silence terrified Josie more than an attack. The unknown, the hidden thing made her heart drill through her chest. Her lips were dry and her voice had been lost.

  ''Shh.'' Josie touched Max. She needed to listen. When he calmed, when she didn't move, Josie heard the sound of someone else's fear. Whimpers and coos and the desperate attempt to stop breathing, to become small and insignificant didn't escape Josie's notice.

  Emboldened, Josie stepped forward letting loose of Max so she could dig through the foliage and find what she had least expected.

  Grace McCreary hunkered in the dirt still dressed in the sweatshirt and jeans, the cheap shoes that Tim Douglas had bought her. Her knees were pulled up to her chest, her hands clasped and crossed over her lips as if that would keep her from crying out. Those eyes, those dark eyes that had stared through Josie a hundred times were now plain and sad to see.

  ''Grace,'' Josie lamented as she reached out for the woman. ''Come out of there. Come on.''

  Grace shrank away. Her head shook and shook as she sniveled out words that Josie didn't understand. Josie tried again.

  ''Please Grace. Please. No one will hurt you. I won't hurt you.''

  The branches scratched her arms. She touched Grace and the other woman moved away again but not enough. She wanted to be rescued. Max wedged himself between Josie's legs and the high hedge, Josie pushed him back with one hand as she grasped Grace McCreary's wrist with the other. She pulled her slowly forward, out of the dirt, into the night, into her arms just as Grace McCreary's knees buckled.

  ''I didn't mean to see you. I promised I would go but you should know the truth. I put it in your mailbox. . .'' Grace gasped, hardly able to speak through the dry heaves of fear and shame. ''I wanted you to have it. . .you understood. . .I loved her. . .him. . .''

  ''It's okay. It's okay,'' Josie muttered, righting Grace. ''We'll talk inside. You can tell me what I need to know.''

  ''No. . .I wrote it down. . .'' Grace insisted. ''. . .I'll go away. . . It's the truth. . .''

  ''Grace, stop. Come inside. Let's get you cleaned up and we'll talk . . .''

  Josie steered her toward the house by inches but Grace panicked. She threw herself back and twisted. Josie grappled with her, clenched her teeth, and planted her feet. Damn if Grace was going to run again.

  ''No, you don't.''

  ''I have to go. I told him how I hurt Michelle and . . ..I told. . . I told. . .''

  ''Matthew? You told Matthew?''

  Josie insisted and Grace's head bobbled as she nodded and cried, weeping uncontrollably only to freeze in the glare of headlights of a car that careened toward them, jumped the curb of the little walking street and skidded out to a stop before it hit the wall that surrounded Josie's house. The two women stared into the light unable to move. Barely breathing, they waited. The driver's door open, the engine was cut, the lights stayed on, blinding them. Suddenly, Josie heard a scream and it was her own voice.

  ''Run, Grace. Run now.''

  With all her might she shoved Grace McCreary away as Max came between the two women and the man. In the next seconds – split seconds - Josie gauged the distance between her front door and the man who was coming at her as though he would like to kill her.

  Billy Zuni was cold which was strange since the wind that had kicked up seemed warm. Maybe he was coming down with something. He checked the time. His watch was fifteen minutes fast so he knew whatever time his watch said it was close enough to the real thing and late enough to go home.

  He kicked at something that was more imagination than anything else. He head banged to a tune he'd had on his mind since school got out and he embellished with a little air guitar as he wandered toward home.

  Random thoughts flitted through the music in his head. Hannah was really getting bitchy. It wasn't like Josie made her go away forever. Faye gave him a sandwich and ten bucks. His mother. His mother. . .the pretend music swelled and thoughts of his mother were buried under an immensely brilliant run on the steel strings of his air guitar.

  He stopped to get into the moment. Fingers flying, head bobbing, soul expanding, Billy Zuni looked up to take a bow and that's when he saw her running.

  ''Where is she? Where is she?''

  The sound of an angry male voice sent a chill of fear through Josie until she figured out that this wasn't Kevin O'Connel at all.

  ''
Oh, God, Matthew,'' Josie cried. Max backed off and moved forward, dragging his leash, unsure of everything. When Matthew grabbed Josie, the dog barked but not loud enough to drown out Matthew's voice.

  ''Where is she, Josie. Where's Grace. What did Grace tell you?''

  ''You're hurting me.'' She jerked away but Matthew held tight. His fingers dug into her arm and Josie took hold to pry him away. ''Let go. Matthew, what's wrong with you?''''What did she tell you?''

  Josie pulled hard on the thumbs of his hand and broke Matthew's grip but not his hold.

  ''She didn't have a chance to tell me anything. You came barreling up here like a madman,'' Josie said through clenched teeth. ''I thought you were Kevin O'Connel. I didn't want her to get hurt so I told her to run.''

  ''You're a fool,'' he muttered, pushing Josie aside and started off in the direction she had indicated.

  Max's bark was long and sustained as he got in front of Matthew. His tail went down, distracting Matthew long enough that she could pick up the leash and they could stand two against one. Matthew didn't know the dog well enough to take a chance that he wouldn't attack.

  ''I was protecting her,'' Josie said.

  ''And I was protecting you. I didn't know if she'd come here to kill you.'' Matthew cut his eyes toward Max. ''Shut that dog up. Christ Josie. Grace has gone crazy. Off the deep end. Listen. Listen to this.'' Matthew reached into his pocket. Max lunged but Josie held tight. Keeping an eye on the dog, Matthew took out his cell phone and punched some buttons. When he was done he held it out to Josie and commanded. ''Listen.''

  He put it to Josie's her ear and she listened to Grace McCreary talk nonsense about killing Michelle and hurting Matthew and not wanting to hurt Josie but knowing she had to do it to save herself. She had to do it because. . .

  Matthew pulled the phone away before Josie could hear the rest.

  ''Why would she want to hurt me? She came here to find me,'' Josie insisted.