by Justin Bell
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In the Norwood Police Station Louisa Gutierrez listened to the phone ring in her ear three shrill times, then a fourth, until a tinny voicemail greeting emanated from the receiver.
"This is Richard Grace. Please leave a message."
Gutierrez sat for a moment, not speaking. Was this something she could leave a message about?
"Mr. Grace, this is Chief Gutierrez. Please call me back when you can. We need to discuss our conversation from two days ago. Thank you."
She set down the handset, her heart running a treadmill in her chest. She'd made her decision about William Strickland and needed to communicate that decision before she changed her mind. She was already walking a thin line, barely balancing on the right side of her own moral quandary. It was a thin and stringy tightrope that felt as if it were shifting with every step, and after each series of steps, she was no longer sure what edge of that tightrope she was walking on. Jules knew. Oh yes, Jules was quite sure. But this was a decision that Louisa had to make herself, and she had officially made it.