I stood up and wriggled out of my jeans. I tried not to make a big production out of it, but I knew Joe was watching me undress. It had been eight months since we’d lived together, made love, had breakfast with the baby, been a family.
I turned away while unbuttoning my blouse, flashing on our last delicious romp before Joe went off the radar without warning, without sending even a text message. His voice mailbox had been full, his car had been gone. No one had seen him. Those lost days were agonizing. I’d thought he was dead.
By the time Joe resurfaced two weeks later, it was because our cases were entwined. Of course, I hadn’t known he even had a case. He offered an explanation but not much of an apology. He expected me to understand that his secret assignment from the CIA was a duty and a sacrifice, and that when he said “country first,” it didn’t mean that I was second in his heart.
But his actions told the truth.
He had put me second, and there had been no hiding from myself what I’d started to piece together about a mysterious blonde, a double life in his past, and the real possibility of more of the same in the future.
So for my own protection I’d kicked Joe out and armorplated my heart. Who could blame me?
Now I walked over to the curved tile steps and into the pool, and once I was seated there in the shallow end, I reached for Julie. My little girl, who looks so much like her father, toddled over to me and wrapped her arms around my neck.
I held her and danced with her and helped her swim with the noodle and the boogie board, while Joe cheered from his chair.
Once I was sufficiently wrinkled and cold, I took Julie and my bag to the dressing room to shower and dress. When we reemerged, our dear and precious child broke away from me and ran to Joe.
“Hey, Jules,” I said, sitting down on the chaise. “Shall we have dinner with Daddy before we go home?”
Joe said, “Sorry, but I can’t, Lindsay. I’ve got PT in a couple of minutes. Rain check?”
“Sure.”
I tucked in my blouse, tied my shoelaces. Joe said my name and caught my eye.
He said, “I’m going to make everything right, Lindsay. I mean it.”
I nodded. Could he do that? Was it possible?
“Mommy. Let’s go. Okay?”
I kissed Joe on the cheek and said, “Take care.”
I saw the question on his face as I picked up Julie and headed for the door. I understood the question. But I didn’t know the answer.
I settled Julie into the car seat in back and saw a folded piece of paper on the floor. I knew it was the list of the dead and injured that Brady had handed me after Sci-Tron.
I opened it up and read the list. I found Joe’s name on the injured list. And then I saw another name that I’d either not read two months ago or not remembered.
Sophie Fields was on the list of fatalities of the tragedy at Sci-Tron. Sophie Fields had died.
CHAPTER 42
IT WAS THURSDAY morning, the second day of Connor Grant’s trial, and Yuki was very ready for it to begin.
The jurors were in their box. The judge was at the bench in conversation with his clerk. The gallery was full and the doors were closed. The court officers had formed a line blocking the door, and two others flanked the bench, guns on hips, eyes scanning the room.
Cameras rolled from the corners of the ceiling.
Yuki and Len had deposed the late-breaking witness, Ms. Shaw, the day before. Apparently, this recently added witness was Grant’s idea, and in Yuki’s opinion, he was taking an unnecessary risk. But Antonelli looked relaxed. No doubt, she was glad enough to shift the burden of the outcome to her former client. Win or lose, there would be plenty of media exposure for Antonelli.
Judge Hoffman spoke. “Is the defense ready, Mr. Grant?”
Yuki glanced at the defense table and saw that Grant and Antonelli were conferring behind their hands.
Grant stood up. “The defense calls Annalee Shaw.”
A court officer opened the door and a young woman entered. She wore a slim leather skirt, a tight knit top, and high heels, and her glossy auburn hair fell loose to the middle of her back. Ms. Shaw took the stand, and after she’d been sworn in, Mr. Grant began his direct exam.