"And the thing with Alex?"
With the still vivid memory of Alex touching her, inside her, less than twenty-four hours earlier, Harriett said, "I'll deal with that one." Turning away, she walked back toward the entrance of the county jail.
Chapter Twenty-Four
HARRIETT WAS QUIET most of the way back to Austin that afternoon. Nick wished there was something he could say to make her feel better, but didn't have a clue where to start. He spent over an hour reading and re-reading the information on dissociative identity disorder Harriett had collected. Finally, Nick pulled his glasses off and closed the folder, stuffing it back into his briefcase.
"The criteria for DID seem clear-cut enough," Nick said.
She looked at him, and said, "It's the sudden appearance of the second personality that bothers me. If Sharon developed this alter personality as a child, where the hell was Jan all these years?"
"Maybe she wasn't stressed enough between fifteen and twenty-eight to bring her out. Besides, there are statements by the mother, a friend, and one co-worker that might imply Jan has come out sporadically before."
"You mean when she was angry?"
"Yeah."
"Even if that's true, there's no way those people would have known they were dealing with a different personality. I'll have to stick pretty much to what we know happened in the last couple of years."
"Looks that way. Have you thought of a way to get around the only important thing you have to show in the trial?"
"You mean the right and wrong standard?" Harriett asked as she signaled to change lanes.
"Unfortunately in Texas, it doesn't matter if she's crazier than a June bug," Nick said. "If she knew what she did was wrong, but did it anyway, then she's just plain old guilty. Period. End of defense."
"First, I have to establish that Sharon has a second personality. Jan knows the difference between right and wrong, no matter how warped her knowledge is. But the important part is that Jan doesn't believe she did anything wrong. Since Jan performed the actions and Sharon had no awareness of them, it's irrelevant whether Sharon knows the difference between right and wrong because she wasn't the perpetrator. How does that sound?" she asked.
"Jesus, sounds like you'll need a road map designed by Rand-McNally to get a jury to follow what's going on. A list of the cast of characters might be a good idea, too," Nick answered with a chuckle.
"Kind of makes you wish you'd chosen another profession, huh?"
"Sometimes. My law students would think this was something created for a TV movie. Does Lacey have a game tonight?" Nick asked glancing at his wristwatch.
"They have a bye tonight, but play next Tuesday," Harriett smiled. "A couple more wins and her team will be in the play-offs. Why don't you come to the house with me? We can scratch up something for dinner."
"Works for me, but you'll have to drop me at the office later to pick up my car."
When Harriett pulled the truck into her driveway, she saw a blue car parked at the curb and frowned.
"Company?" Nick asked as he closed the truck door.
"Devon. Lacey's boyfriend. She said they had to work on an experiment for biology class," Harriett answered as they walked to the front door of the two-story, red brick townhouse.
The house seemed quiet as they entered until they heard giggling coming from the living room. As they reached the entrance to the living room, they saw Lacey and Devon on the couch. Devon was holding Lacey in his arms, kissing her passionately. Nick coughed loudly when he saw them. Devon got up quickly, adjusting his clothing.
"Ms. Markham," he said. "We didn't hear you come in."
"That much is obvious," Harriett said coolly as she crossed her arms and looked at Lacey. "Is this the biology experiment you said you'd be working on, Lacey?"
Lacey got up slowly. "We have to wait a couple of hours before we can check the last sample."
Nick smiled. "Does it involve studying the chemical changes in saliva resulting from sexual arousal?"
"Nick!" Harriett said sharply as Lacey and Devon laughed. "That's not helping."
"Sorry," he shrugged.
Turning back to Devon, Harriett said, "Don't you have someplace to be, Devon?"
"Yes, ma'am. I need to run home and change."
Lacey took Devon's hand. "I'll be right back," she said as they walked to the front door and left the townhouse.
"What's so damn funny, Nick?" Harriett fumed as Nick laughed softly.
"They weren't doing anything, Harriett, and I think you scared the shit out of that kid."
"Lacey knows better than this."
"It could have been worse. You could have found them upstairs."
"If we'd been later I might have."
"Stop it, Harriett. Lacey wouldn't let the situation get that out of hand and you know it. She's too smart for that."
"When it comes to sex, brains don't always outweigh desires."
"Does that observation come from personal experience?"
Harriett looked at him, remembering that only two days earlier she had let her desire overrule her brain, and frowned. "As a matter of fact, it does. Are there any other personal questions you'd like to ask me?"
Lacey strolled back into the living room. "I'm sorry Aunt Harriett, but we really weren't doing anything. And by the way, you had a phone call earlier. I wrote the number down and stuck it on the fridge."
"Thank you, sweetheart," Harriett smiled.
"Devon's picking me up around eight. Okay?" Lacey asked.
"Leaving your poor old maiden aunt home all alone again, huh?" Harriett kidded.
Harriett took the number from the refrigerator door and walked to the kitchen phone. She leaned against the wall and punched in the number. "Grab yourself a beer, Nick. I wish Lacey would write down the caller's name, so I wouldn't have to waste time with magazine salesmen."
Three rings later a voice answered. "Sex Offenders. Raines."
"This is Harriett Markham. I was told I had a phone call from this number."
"Oh, hi, Harriett. I don't know if you remember me. This is Jess Raines. I met you at The Corral a week or so ago."
"Of course, I remember," Harriett smiled as the woman's face floated through her mind. "How can I help you?"
"Actually, I was wondering if you might be free for dinner this evening," Jess said.
"I just got back in town. It's been a very stressful week for me. Did you say Sex Offenders when you answered the phone?"
"Yeah. Sorry about that. I probably should have left my home phone. But I was hoping to hear from you before I left work."
"You work at Sex Offenders?" Harriett inquired. Nick was looking at her and she shrugged.
"I'm an investigator with the Attorney General's Office. Listen, I understand if you're too tired to go out. Maybe another time," Jess said.
"You know what, Jess? I'd love to go out for dinner this evening. I'm really not up to cooking and my niece is going out anyway."
"Great! Give me your address, and I'll pick you up. What time is good for you?"
Harriett glanced at the kitchen clock. "Is eight okay?"
"Perfect. And you don't have to get all dressed up. We'll make it a casual evening."
"All right." Harriett smiled. "By the way, how did you get this number? It's unlisted."
"Well," Jess laughed, "I am an investigator. That's why I get the big bucks. See you about eight."
Harriett hung up the phone and went to the refrigerator. Pouring a glass of iced tea, she looked at Nick. "I have a date," she smiled.
Chapter Twenty-Five
JESS HAD SPENT nearly an hour deciding what to wear for her date with Harriett Markham. She was nervous, and if she still smoked and drank, she would have already had several of each. She hadn't been on a date in nearly two decades. Except for the fact that Harriett was an attractive woman, a lawyer and knew how to dance, Jess realized she didn't know another damn thing about her. She had seemed nice enough at the club, and it was only a din
ner date. It was better than sitting around the house reliving the memories of everything she had lost, feeling Renee's phantom touch next to her in bed every night. Looking at her reflection in the mirror as she ran a brush through her hair, she knew Renee wouldn't have wanted her to live this way.
At precisely eight o'clock, Jess, who had finally settled for pressed jeans, boots and a charcoal tweed jacket over a white t-shirt, took a deep breath and pushed the doorbell of Harriett's townhouse. When the door was opened a few moments later by a tall, slender, blonde teenager wearing a ratty sweatshirt and well-worn jeans, Jess wondered if this had been a good idea after all.
"Can I help you?" the girl asked.
"Hi. I'm Jess Raines. I'm here to pick up Harriett," she answered with a smile.
"Come on in. My aunt will ready in a minute."
"Thanks," Jess said as she stepped inside.
Lacey extended her hand, "Lacey Markham."
"It's a pleasure, Lacey."
As Jess was shaking hands with Lacey, Harriett came down the stairs. Jess thought she looked even better than she had at the club, if that was possible. She was glad Harriett's idea of casual matched her own and thought she might faint when Harriett smiled at her. Coming up next to her, Harriett hugged her briefly. Noticing the same subtle scent she had noticed the evening they met, Harriett inhaled it deeply.
"You look very nice, Jess."
"So do you." Jess blushed.
"What time will you be home, Lacey?" Harriett asked as she turned her head back toward her niece.
"We're just going to a movie and catching something to eat afterward, so not too late. Maybe midnight," Lacey shrugged.
"That's fine, sweetheart. You two be careful."
"We will. And what time will you be home, Aunt Harriett?" Lacey grinned, glancing at Jess.
Harriett also looked at Jess and smiled. "I'm not sure."
"Well, have fun," Lacey said as she hugged Harriett. "I'll see you in the morning."
As Jess backed her sapphire blue Durango out of Harriett's driveway, she said, "Your niece is very attractive."
"Thanks. She's graduating from St. John's Prep this year, and I worry about her sometimes."
"That's understandable." Jess looked across the seat at Harriett. "I hope you're hungry."
"I could eat a cow right now," Harriett laughed. "At least you know there's nothing wrong with my appetite."
"Perfect," Jess grinned. "I hope a thick steak, baked potato, and salad will do the trick."
Nearly half an hour later, Jess pulled into the drive of a large split-level ranch style house on an oversized, tree filled lot and turned off the ignition. Seeing the look on Harriett's face, she said, "I grill the best steak in town. And we won't have to leave a tip."
Jess helped Harriett out of the Durango and escorted her to the front door. Before she unlocked the door, she looked at her date and said, "If you're uncomfortable, we can go somewhere else, Harriett. I'd understand, but, honestly, dinner and some good conversation are the only items on my agenda."
Harriett smiled at her. "Sounds good to me."
When they entered the house, Harriett saw a table for two already set. Jess lit candles on the table and flipped on the stereo. Soft, melodic sounds of Kenny G crept into the room.
"Make yourself at home," Jess said as she slipped her jacket off and flipped on the kitchen light. "How do you like your steak?"
"Medium rare," Harriett said as she looked around. "This is a beautiful house, Jess."
"Thanks. It's a little big for just me, but I can't bring myself to part with it. There are some drinks in the fridge. Help yourself while I get a fire going," Jess called over her shoulder.
Harriett took a wine cooler from the refrigerator and continued to look around the front rooms of the house. The hardwood floors shined, and there were glowing embers in the oversized fireplace. An eclectic collection of paintings and prints adorned the walls while bare beams crossed the ceiling of the main room. To Harriett, it had the feel of a large cabin in the middle of the city. She glanced at pictures on the mantle and took one down to examine it more closely. Jess was smiling broadly in the picture and had her arms around a smiling woman with long corn silk hair.
"That's me and Renee," Jess said softly, walking up behind her. "In better times."
"Where is she now?" Harriett asked.
"She was killed in a traffic accident about four years ago."
Harriett replaced the picture carefully on the mantle and turned toward Jess. "I'm sorry, Jess. You must miss her very much. How long were you together?"
"Twelve years, and I still miss her every day. But life goes on and she wouldn't want me to stop living. We had a great life," Jess smiled. "It'll take a little while for the charcoal to burn down. Why don't we take our drinks out to the patio?"
Jess took a bottle of water from the refrigerator and led Harriett outside into a large enclosed patio. Setting her water on the table, Jess walked over to a large brick grill that took up one corner of the patio. Harriett joined her and rested a hand lightly on Jess's shoulder. It was a familiar gesture that reminded Jess of the evenings she and Renee had spent preparing dinner before it was all taken away.
"This is a beautiful grill," Harriett said.
Swallowing the lump that had formed in her throat, Jess glanced at her. "I built it a few years ago. If the weather is cold it can double as an outdoor fireplace," she said as she poked at the charcoal, rearranging a few of the briquettes.
"It's very quiet here," Harriett observed.
"It's great, isn't it? Never hear any sirens or traffic out here. Just peace and quiet. It sort of reminds me of home."
"Then I suppose that means you're not from Austin."
"I'm originally from Stamford, north of Abilene, but the employment opportunities were much better here."
Jess smiled when she saw the look on Harriett's face. "What?"
"I grew up in Anson."
Setting her poker down, Jess frowned. "Well then, I guess you know that means I'll have to take you home. We both know that Stamford and Anson are mortal enemies."
"Only on the football field or basketball court and only when you're sixteen or seventeen," Harriett laughed.
Slipping an arm around Harriett's waist and giving her a gentle squeeze, Jess smiled, "Thank God or I'd have to eat two steaks by myself."
Twenty minutes later, Jess carried two large Porterhouse steaks outside and placed them over the hot coals. "These shouldn't take too long," she said.
Harriett half reclined on a chaise lounge and watched Jess intently. The wine cooler had relaxed her, and the faint smell of mesquite smoke and sizzling beef made her mouth water. She felt comfortable around Jess and wanted to get to know her better. She had left Dallas that morning without seeing or talking to Alex. Had her evening in Alex's bed meant anything more than that they had missed one another? Her thoughts were interrupted by Jess's voice.
"There are two salads in the refrigerator and potatoes in the oven. Would you mind getting those out while I finish these up?" Jess asked.
"Anything else I can get ready?" Harriett asked as she stood up.
"You should find whatever you want for the potatoes in the fridge, and since I didn't know what kind of dressing you liked, I got one of just about everything," Jess chuckled.
By the time Harriett had everything else ready and on the table, Jess opened the French doors from the patio and carried the steaks inside and set them on two plates on the kitchen island.
"Well, these look perfect to me," she proclaimed as she cut into the steaks and smiled at Harriett.
After dinner, filled with interesting, but light conversation, Jess and Harriett sat on the couch in the living room, drinking coffee. "I might not have to eat again for a week," Harriett said. "That was a fabulous meal, Jess. Thank you."
"It was my pleasure. I love to cook, and steak happens to be my specialty."
"Well, you can prepare them for me anytime," Harriett
sighed contentedly.
"I'll remember that," Jess smiled over her coffee cup.
Looking at Jess, Harriett said, "Tell my about Renee. She was very beautiful."
Jess swallowed and set her cup down, glancing at the picture on the mantle. "Yes, she was. Don't know exactly what to tell you about her. She was a teacher at a local high school, and she loved her job and her students."
"And I'm sure they loved her, too."
"Half the kids at her school came to her funeral. It was amazing," Jess smiled slightly. "I should be so lucky when I die."
"How did you meet? If you don't mind me asking."
"I pulled her over for speeding and issued her a ticket," Jess chuckled. "Best ticket I ever wrote."
"You said she was killed in an accident," Harriett said softly.
"Actually it wasn't an accident. I just call it that. It was murder."
In answer to the look on Harriett's face Jess leaned back on the couch and continued. "Drunk driver. Son of a bitch was stopped by the police three or four hours later and still had a blood alcohol level of two point four. He was so blitzed that he didn't even know he had run her off the road and killed her. Got a minimal sentence for vehicular manslaughter even though he already had two or three DUIs on his record. That really pissed me off."
"I'm so sorry, Jess," Harriett said. "I can't imagine how much it must hurt."
"Renee and I bought this house together," Jess said with a slight smile. "When she found it, she was so excited. It was a dump. I was surprised the city hadn't declared it unsafe for human habitation, but I wound up signing my name on the bottom line anyway. It took us four or five years to get it close to what we wanted. When she di...was killed, the insurance paid it off. That's why it's hard for me to part with it. It sounds stupid, but somehow it still lets me feel connected to her."
Running her hand down Jess's arm, Harriett caught her eye as Jess turned toward her. "It's not stupid, Jess. You loved Renee very much, and the home you made together is beautiful. May I see the rest of it?"
"Sure," Jess shrugged. Standing, she took Harriett's hand and began the tour.
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