“And the baby?”
“We’re going to love him too.”
She laughed, snuggling against my chest. “Him? It’s definitely a her.”
“I think I have enough women in my life, thank you very much.”
“I can’t feel them anymore, Mason,” she whispered. “I can only feel me.”
“They’ll be back,” I said. But I wasn’t sure of that. Not at all.
“I hope so.”
I hoped so too. And then again, I didn’t.
45
Lynn
* * *
Three days later, the PI, whose name was William, got me in to see Shelly. She was being held behind bars, but she was in the area set aside for mental patients. Mason’s job helped some with that, getting her separated from everyone else until she could be adequately evaluated. Evaluating Shelly would be like evaluating a rock. Or a chameleon. She could be anyone or anything. She would give up nothing, unless it served her purpose.
What her purpose was, I had no idea.
I sat down in a room to wait for her to arrive.
After what seemed like hours, they finally brought her to me. They sat her down across from me, and hooked her handcuffs to the table in front of me. She could use her hands, but she couldn’t grab for anything, so I took her hands in mine.
“You look like shit,” I said.
She blew a lock of hair from her eyes. “Yeah, well, this place lacks some of the amenities of home.”
“You’ll be going home soon. I’m going to turn myself in, as soon as we’re done talking.”
“No, you’re not.”
She said nothing else. She just said no.
“Yes. I am.”
“No, you’re not.”
“Shelly…” Damn it, she was going to make me cry.
“They’ve sent three therapists to see me so far,” she said. “You know how much I hate having someone poke around in my head.”
“I know. I’m so sorry.”
“It was kind of interesting, actually.” She shrugged and her face turned pink.
“Why are you blushing?” I asked.
“Nothing.” She grinned.
“Tell me,” I said.
“That nice PI guy has been by a few times.”