Justice(27)

“What’s that?”

“A family. An instant family to welcome him in. To never be alone again.”

“I never thought of it like that.” I scoff. “I guess you’re right.”

“You only knew him after his father died,” she says to make me feel better. “They were very close. His mother passed when he was so young. All they had was each other all alone in that big house. I remember Mr. Pendergast would take him out of school to go fishing on a whim. I always envied that. My father barely acknowledged my presence. The only thing a girl was good for was marrying well. At least he died before he could see that dream fail.”

“That’s a little fatalistic,” I say. “I’m sure there’s a dozen men who—”

She waves her hand. “That part of my life is over,” she says. “I’ve actually come to enjoy solitude. I don’t have to spend hours getting ready just to go outdoors. I don’t spend thousands a month on trivial things like my nails. No more small talk or gossip. It’s actually very liberating.”

“Never pegged you for the hermit life,” I say with a smile.

“I’m not. My priorities just changed. I volunteer three times a week at the battered woman’s shelter, among other places. After my…experience, everything about my life seemed so shallow. It was such a wake-up call.”

“Well, I’m glad something good came out of it.”

“As am I,” she says. “But we aren’t here to reminisce, and I’m sure you’re eager to get back to work.” She takes a sip of her drink. “I’ll bet you were surprised to hear from me, especially after my little rant.”

“Yes. I heard you refused to be re-interviewed when we called this morning.”

“Understandably I was in shock. I thought that ordeal was behind me, and then I wake up in the middle of the night to find it’s not. Then shock turned to fear, which turned to anger. That’s when the other detectives approached me, and I called that silly press conference.” She shakes her head at the memory. “I sounded like a lunatic.”

“No, you didn’t,” I say. “You did a better job than I did.”

“That’s why I called, you know,” she says. “I’ve been watching the news coverage all day. All those talking heads. The mayor. Commissioner. That idiot warden. All swearing to capture James, bring him to justice and all. You were the only one I believed.”

“Thank you. I meant it.”

She nods in reverence. Twenty years I’ve been around these people, the rich, privileged, and snotty as hell, but this is the first time any one of them has shown me the slightest hint of respect.

Grace downs the rest of her scotch. “Okay, I think I’m ready to answer all your questions now. Ask away.”

“In the three years since his incarceration has he contacted you?”

“Not personally since the trial. The day of his conviction I did receive a letter.”

“What did it say?”

“Nothing really. He professed his undying love. Said he didn’t blame me for testifying. I turned it over to the police.”

“Nothing since?”

“Not really. I do receive a bouquet of pink roses on my birthday from him. I hired a private investigator to track the payment, but he had no luck. I pulled the file of his findings. It’s over by the door.”

“Thank you.” I jot that down. “That’s it? The only contact?”

“Nothing else, thank goodness. I can only hope that he’s forgotten about me. Moved onto his next obsession.”

“How did you two meet?”

“Chad, of all people. Caldwell Inc. was working with one of James’ legitimate businesses on some project. Chad invited him over for drinks, and I just happened to be there.” She scoffs. “He told me later it was love at first sight.”

“How did he act with you at first?”

“Cordial. A little flirty, but nothing overt. Then he started showing up everywhere. At my gym. Outside my charity meetings. Even at the opera. We’d chat, nothing more. I didn’t really think anything of it until a month later.”

“What happened?”

“I was ‘mugged,’” she says, doing the quotation marks with her fingers. “James just happened to be strolling by to rescue me. He, of course, set the entire thing up, not that I would find that out until it was too late. I invited him up to this apartment to wait for the police. I’ll admit I was shaken, and I let him kiss me, but I never slept with him, despite what his attorney insinuated.

“After I came to my senses, I pushed him away and he grew…angry. He told me he loved me, and I ordered him to leave. He actually apologized, and left. The next day I received a necklace. And the next day, matching earrings. I called James and told him to stop. That I was in love with Chad, and nothing would change that.