Juli stepped into full view as Frankie shifted again and half-rose, but when he looked up and saw her standing there, he dropped to his knees.
“You’re not going anywhere,” Juli said. “I’ll tell the police the truth and take my chances.”
Chapter Thirty-Six
“No,” Juli told the officer, “I’m fine. I just want to rest.” Officials, friends and other people—she didn’t know what category Adela fit into—filled the living room. Her attention was focused on Luke as he stood by the side door talking to an officer. She didn’t try to hide or disguise her stare.
Luke was hers. Anyone was free to think what they would.
He’d said he loved her. It almost eclipsed the whole mess with Frankie.
Regarding Frankie, she could hardly believe it, but no one no one had given the least indication that she’d done anything wrong despite the lies Frankie was throwing around. The authorities, everyone, was treating her gently, respectfully. Like someone of substance.
And Luke loved her.
How much worse could this have been? A tremble seized her. The pocket of calm she’d felt on the stairs had evaporated soon after she’d begun answering questions. Pat had cleared most of the people away to give her some air.
Juli closed her eyes and sent a special thank you straight from her heart to God.
When she opened her eyes again, they fell on Pat.
Pat. What had she said? She’d seen the flying backpack and alerted the others. The others? How could they have been so close? Unconsciously, she placed her hands on her belly.
Petite, gray-haired Pat had stood there with the gun trained on Frankie like she did such things every day. Juli shook her head. She had questions of her own.
Pat had seen the backpack airborne. How had Adela come into the picture?
Adela was in the study with an officer now. Speaking her mind. Juli shuddered.
Luke turned toward her. His smile muted the what-ifs, even about Adela, at least for the moment.
“Ma’am, if you won’t go to the hospital, then you should see your doctor right away.”
He was a grandfatherly man, a local officer, and she appreciated his concern. She was sore, but the last thing she wanted was to attract more attention. Lying low, literally and figuratively under a feather quilt, had never sounded so good. Her feet were propped on the ottoman where Maia had put them—Maia, who was now returning with a pillow.
“No, Maia, I’m not going to lie down on the sofa. Not here among all of these people.”
Luke crossed the room to join her. “How do you feel? Which do you prefer? Hospital or doctor? We’re doing one or the other.”
“I’m staying here.”
Adela arrived and shoved Luke aside. “Juli—”
Luke tried to step in front of her. “Don’t, Adela.”
“Nonsense. Get out of my way.”
Adela thrust herself forward. Juli cringed. No more. She raised her hands, wanting to cover her face, but then changed her mind. She wasn’t up to doing battle with Ben’s sister, but she wasn’t going to hide from the woman either. Juli rubbed her hip. It ached where Frankie had kicked her. She tried to pivot on the sofa, away from Adela’s aggressive glare.
“Luke will drive you to the hospital. You’ve had a shock.”
“I’m fine.”
“You have obligations.”
“Obligations?”
“To Ben’s child. My niece or nephew. You have obligations and you can’t take chances with his, or her, well-being. Or your own.” Adela moved in more closely. She perched on the edge of the sofa. “What would Ben want you to do?”
Juli looked at her in disbelief. Did Adela intend it as a dig? “What would Ben want?”
“He’d want you and the baby to be safe. No more than what Luke wants.” Adela’s eyes teared up and in a very small voice, she said, “And me, too.”
The room was emptying. A fresh draft of cold sea air spilled in as Pat walked outside with the last officers.
Juli took a deep breath, then said, “You know there may be trouble. I didn’t steal. I wasn’t involved in it, but Frankie will say otherwise. You heard him. My fingerprints are on the stuff in the backpack because when I found it, I touched it.”
“You are not to worry. Clearly, you’re innocent. Frank…Frankie? Frankie’s record will speak volumes.”
“You say that, but—”
“I say you are one of us. One of the family. You aren’t alone and we aren’t without resources. You’re not to worry.” Adela took her hand. “I don’t mind saying what Luke won’t. I insist you go to the hospital. If you call your doctor and he’ll see you now, fine. We’ll take you there. Otherwise, it’s the hospital.”