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  “Please make it strong,” he said, sitting down and leaning his head back against a cushion. “It’s going to be another long night.”

  I went into the kitchen, where I put the coffee on and pulled the chicken from the refrigerator. I cut several slices from the breast for a sandwich. Once the coffee was ready, I carried a steaming mug and a small plate containing a sandwich into the living room. Jeff was sprawled on my sofa, out cold. I pondered waking him but decided against it. Even a small nap would help revive him. I carried his food and coffee back to the kitchen.

  The phone rang, and I hurried to answer so it wouldn’t wake Jeff. Jay was on the other end of the line.

  “I’m calling to thank you for lunch today,” he said.

  I wondered if he were feeling guilty or wanted to see if I had something to say about Mandy. I decided to keep my mouth shut. “You’re welcome,” I whispered.

  “Why are we whispering?” he whispered.

  “Mike’s vet dropped off her vitamins and fell asleep on my sofa while I was making him a sandwich.”

  “Should I be jealous?”

  “Of course not.” I hadn’t told Jay that Jeff was gay. For some reason I felt it would be a betrayal to a man who had become a good friend. “The poor guy hasn’t had a decent night’s sleep since I don’t know when. He just conked out on me.”

  “Is he spending the night?”

  “Why would you ask that?”

  “I’m teasing, Katie. What did he say about Mike?”

  “He thinks she’s worn down due to the puppies. He put her on vitamins. I took her to the park this evening. I met a very nice elderly lady named Lila. She invited Mike over to play with her Yorkie tomorrow. She said Mike needed a playmate.”

  “I would never have thought of that,” he said.

  “Lila is an expert on dogs.”

  “It sounds like it.”

  “Um, Jay, I need to talk to you about something,” I said, knowing I had to come clean with him once and for all about my office move. I’d put it off long enough.

  “Sounds serious,” he said. “I’m listening.”

  “I’d rather talk in person.”

  “Are you okay, Katie?” He sounded concerned.

  “I’m fine. It’s just . . . well, I agree that I need to be more open.”

  “You can talk to me anytime, Katie.”

  I started to answer, but the sudden sound of loud, piercing bells stopped me.

  “Well, maybe not this minute,” he said. “I have to go.”

  The next thing I heard was a dial tone. I hung up. I heard a noise behind me and turned. Jeff was standing in the doorway, disheveled and rubbing his eyes.

  “I’m sorry I fell asleep on your sofa.”

  “You were exhausted.” I got up and motioned for him to take a seat at the table. “The coffee is still hot, and I made a sandwich for you.”

  “You’re too good to me.”

  I set the coffee mug in front of him. “I think a little pampering is in order after all your hard work.” I handed him the plate with his sandwich.

  “You didn’t trim the crust?” he asked.

  “Don’t push it, Jeff.” I poured a cup of coffee for myself and joined him.

  He took a bite of his sandwich and chewed. “Wow, this is a great sandwich. This might just be the best sandwich I’ve ever had.”

  “I’m a marvel in the kitchen.”

  “No wonder Jay fell madly in love with you.”

  I stared into my coffee cup.

  “Uh-oh. Did I say something wrong?”

  “Jay and I are in marriage counseling. We seem to have so many issues.” I sighed.

  “I’m sure the two of you will work it out,” he said. “Everybody has issues. Take me, for example. Do you know how much I hate having to express an animal’s anal glands? And I’m a vet, for Pete’s sake! It’s in my job description.”

  I laughed. The good thing about Jeff was his sense of humor. “That is so gross. Don’t you have someplace you need to be, Dr. Henry?”

  “Yeah, I’d better go check on my patient. What do I owe you for the sandwich and coffee?”

  “Get out of here.”

  We both stood. I walked him to the door. He kissed me on the forehead. I realized, as I watched him pull from the driveway, how much I appreciated his friendship. It bothered me that I was able to spill my guts to him so easily but knew very little about him. He kept a lot to himself. I was reminded that Jay had accused me of the same thing, but it seemed I wasn’t the only one holding back.

  chapter 7

  I awoke early the next morning, and no matter how hard I tried, I could not go back to sleep. I trudged downstairs, poured a cup of coffee, and turned on the early morning local news. It seemed Atlanta never rested; there had been car accidents and crimes committed as I’d slept. Fire had gutted an apartment complex north of town. Fortunately, there were no casualties. Firefighters answered a lot of calls, many just as dangerous as the apartment complex, but only the big ones made the news.

  As I sipped my coffee, I mentally rehearsed how I would break the news to Jay about my eviction and my decision to share an office with Thad. Jay was not an unreasonable man; surely he would see that the move was good for my career. Plus, he knew Thad and I shared patients from time to time. He would understand my decision.

  I turned off the TV and went into the kitchen, where I refilled my cup. Mike came into the room, looking as though the weight of the world were on her shoulders. And she had seemed to be doing so much better the day before. Wouldn’t it be just my luck to have a bipolar dog, I thought. I saw her staring at the plastic bag of treats on the counter, and I gave her one. She gobbled it and headed out her doggie door for her morning business.

  I showered and dressed, then called Lila to make certain she was still expecting Mike.

  “Prissy is very excited,” she said.

  I led Mike to the car. Her mood had changed for the better; she loved riding in the car. Perhaps Lila was right. Maybe Mike needed a friend, just as I had needed one the night before. I thought of Jeff and hoped he’d gotten some sleep.

  Lila lived in a duplex with a neat lawn and well-tended flower beds. Mike and Prissy sniffed each other as I chatted briefly with Lila in her cozy living room. I noted an odd smell.

  “I’m baking my famous love treats,” Lila said as though reading my mind. “Prissy and I are early risers. Be sure to remind me to send a batch home with you when you pick up Mike at the end of the day.”

  Prissy was intent on licking Mike’s ear clean. “I guess they’ve bonded,” I said.

  Lila smiled. “Prissy loves making new friends. Now, get on with you and don’t worry about a thing. I’ve got a full day planned for our little ones.”

  I arrived at my office, where Mrs. Perez and her grandson waited. He was slender, dressed in jeans and a football jersey. He stood as I approached. Obviously somebody had taught him good manners.

  “Hi, Ricky,” I said, offering my hand. He’d gotten taller since I had last seen him. “Nice to see you again,” I added.

  “Same here, Dr. Holly,” he said politely.

  Mona wasn’t at her desk. I didn’t know if she was making coffee or giving health exams down the hall.

  I exchanged a few pleasantries with Mrs. Perez, then invited Ricky inside my office. I was about to close the door when Mona showed up with a tray containing three cups of coffee and a bottled water. I tried not to stare at the additions she’d made to her uniform, a nurse’s cape and cap. She handed the water to Ricky.

  “Thank you, Nurse Clara Barton,” I said.

  She gave me an odd look; obviously she had no idea who Clara Barton was.

  I invited Ricky to take a seat on the sofa. I sat in my chair. “I hear you’re going through a rough time,” I said. “How are you doing?”

  He shrugged. “I’m hanging in there. My mom said to thank you for seeing me. She would have been here if she could, but it’s hard for her to get off work
. Plus, she’s taking a couple of night classes and studying for an exam.”

  “What is her major?”

  “Elementary education,” he said. “She has always wanted to be a teacher. She taught my sister and me to read before we started school.”

  “How old is your sister?”

  “She just turned fifteen.”

  I smiled. “Do the two of you get along or do you argue like most brothers and sisters?”

  “We’re pretty tight,” he said.

  I took a sip of my coffee and set my cup on the table beside me. I could tell he was nervous. “Your grandmother thought it would be good if you had someone to talk to while you’re going through this difficult time,” I said. “I’m sure it must be very stressful.”

  “I didn’t beat up Father Demarco like the police accused me.”

  “How is he?”

  “My grandmother called the hospital last night. He’s still critical.”

  “I understand the two of you are close.”

  “I’ve been an altar boy since I was in fifth grade. I do volunteer work for the church. Father Demarco is helping me look for scholarships.”

  “You want to be a doctor, eh?” I asked.

  “I plan to be a regular GP and open a clinic one day for people who can’t afford decent medical care. Unless I go to prison,” he added. “The prosecutor wants me tried as an adult. Mr. Barnes is fighting it.”

  “That must be scary for you.”

  Ricky nodded but said nothing.

  “Who do you think attacked Father Demarco?” I asked.

  “I don’t know.”

  “Does anyone have a grudge against him?”

  “I can’t think of anyone. He’s just an old priest who likes helping people.”

  “Your grandmother thinks it was gang related. She says some members of a gang beat you up two weeks ago.”

  “I don’t know that they were in a gang. My sister and I were walking home from the bus stop, and a couple of guys started messing with her. I told them to cut it out, and that’s how the fight started.”

  “If you knew they were in a gang, would you tell?”

  He shook his head. “They’d come after me.”

  “Why do you suppose the nun told the police it was you?” I asked.

  “Maybe the person who did it resembled me. That’s the only thing I can think of. She’s really old. Her eyesight isn’t good.”

  We were both silent for a moment. “How can I help you, Ricky?”

  “You could tell the judge you don’t think I did it.”

  “I can’t do that. The only thing I can do is act as a fact witness. I could tell the court you appeared for all your sessions, but I can’t act as a character witness. The court would have to appoint someone.”

  He gave a huge sigh. “I need to get to school,” he said. “I have a third-period geometry test.”

  “Why don’t we schedule another appointment?” I suggested.

  He hesitated. “I’m not sure what good it would do, and I don’t want to waste your time.”

  “I’m a good listener, Ricky, and your mother and grandmother would probably feel better if you had someone to talk to,” I added. “Everything would be confidential, of course.”

  He seemed to consider it. “I hate to see them worry so much. Maybe I could come in after school.”

  We set up a time. I walked Ricky out. Mrs. Perez shot me a questioning look, but I avoided meeting her gaze as I checked with Mona to make sure she hadn’t scheduled an appointment in the slot I’d given Ricky. He followed his grandmother out.

  “Lewis Barnes called,” Mona said. “He had both good news and bad. I didn’t tell Mrs. Perez.”

  “What did he say?”

  “The good news is he convinced the prosecutor to try Ricky as a juvenile.”

  “What’s the bad news?”

  Mona hesitated. “They found the bat that was used to beat Father Demarco. Ricky’s fingerprints were all over it.”

  chapter 8

  I felt like someone had just punched me in the stomach. I sank into one of the chairs. “Are they sure?” I asked.

  “The police fingerprinted Ricky when they booked him. The prints were a perfect match.”

  “Well, then,” I said, not knowing what else to say. “That sort of changes things,” I added.

  “Kate, I’ve known Ricky for years. He’s not a violent person. I still think he’s being framed.”

  “Doesn’t sound like the evidence supports that, Mona.”

  “All I’m asking is that you give him the benefit of the doubt,” she said. “He may have a perfectly good explanation.”

  “It’s not up to me,” I said. “I’m not the one prosecuting him. I just remembered, I need to call the police department and talk to someone in missing persons,” I said, wanting to change the subject. “I’m hoping somebody is looking for Marie.” I turned for my office.

  “I’ll call,” Mona said.

  I thanked her and went into my office. I was still trying to come to terms with what I’d learned about Ricky Perez when my mother called. “Trixie didn’t come home last night,” she said. “That’s not like her. I’ve checked with the police department and all the hospitals. I just know Slick Eddie has done something bad to her.”

  “Mom, don’t you think you’re overreacting?” I said, although it didn’t sound good. But I didn’t want her to fret. I planned to confront Eddie the next time I saw him.

  “I feel it in my bones, Kate. Twins are like that. You’re going to have to level with me since I know Slick Eddie is a patient of yours. Is he a pervert?”

  “It would be unethical for me to tell you whether or not he’s a patient,” I said. “But having met him, I have no reason to believe he’s a pervert.”

  She sighed. “I’m still worried about her.”

  “Let’s not automatically assume the worst,” I said, only to remind myself that I had misjudged Ricky and may have done the same with Eddie Franks.

  “I’ll be there shortly to start packing your office,” she said before we hung up.

  I checked my watch. I still had a few minutes before my next patient arrived. I reached for a legal pad and jotted brief notes about my session with Ricky Perez. No matter what the evidence proved, it was still hard to believe that he was guilty of attacking a priest, especially one who had acted as his mentor.

  Mona peeked in. “I checked with missing persons. They don’t have anyone who fits Marie’s description, but they promised to keep an eye out. Are you okay?”

  I looked up. “I have a lot on my mind.”

  She sat on the sofa. “Have you told Jay about you-know-what?”

  “I told him we needed to talk. But I’d rather tell him in person.”

  “How do you think he’ll take the news?”

  “He’s not going to like it,” I said. “It’s just going to add to the stress of our relationship.” I sighed. “I can’t believe people actually pay me to help them solve their problems when I have so much trouble solving my own.”

  “I have a question, and I want you to answer it honestly,” she said.

  “Okay,” I said, waiting for the worst.

  “Does it bother you that I’m wearing a nurse’s uniform? I mean, I don’t have to wear it to work. I can just wear it around the house.”

  I chuckled. “No, it doesn’t bother me. Just be careful if my aunt Lou shows up, because you know how she is. She’ll expect you to treat her vaginitis.”

  Mona shuddered. “I don’t even want to think of that woman’s vagina. It gave birth to your sicko cousin, Lucifer.”

  “Lucien,” I corrected.

  “I keep getting his name mixed up because he looks like he should be the gatekeeper in hell.”

  I had to agree.

  I called the hospital and asked for Edith Wright. I was put on hold. Finally, she picked up.

  “Good morning, Edith,” I said. “It’s Kate Holly.”

  “I’d planned to c
all you as soon as I got caught up. It’s been a madhouse this morning. Oops, I probably shouldn’t have used that word. Anyway, your patient hit the skids. She literally crashed overnight, but you learn to expect these things with bipolar patients.”

  “How bad is she?”

  “If it gets much worse I’ll have to put her on suicide watch.”

  “Oh no! Have you spoken with Dr. Glazer?”

  “I left a message with that dingbat secretary of his. I had to spell my name three times before she got it. I was tempted to drive over there and slap her silly.”

  “I’ll put a call in to Dr. Glazer right now.”

  “Thanks,” Edith said. “It’ll be one less thing.”

  I dialed Thad’s office and asked to speak to him. From the other end of the line, Bunny gushed. “Oh, Dr. Holly, Thad told me you and your receptionist plan to move in this Friday. We are going to have so much fun!”

  “Mona and I are looking forward to it,” I said.

  “If you can hold two teeny-weeny seconds, I think Thad is finishing up with a patient.”

  Thad picked up a moment later. “I was just thinking about you,” he said. “Are you wearing underwear?”

  I ignored him. “Our patient has crashed and burned.”

  “Uh-oh.”

  I repeated what Edith had told me. “I’ve got a patient due in any minute. As soon as the session ends, I’ll drive over and check on her.”

  “You’ve got my cell if you need me.”

  Stanley Glick had only been in a couple of times. I liked Stanley because he paid his bill after each visit. His wife, also his business partner in a successful real estate company, had sent him packing after twenty-five years of marriage due to a midlife crisis of his that had come with a seventy-thousand-dollar Mercedes sports car and a blonde half his age.

  Stanley had been too busy with his new girlfriend to give much thought to the woman who’d raised his children. That is, until she’d met someone.

  “I can’t believe Doris actually invited another man to have dinner at our house and in front of our children,” he said.

  “The two of you are divorcing,” I reminded him. “Don’t you think she has a right to move on with her life?”