I did. Terrifying was a mild word for it. “Is he upstairs?” She lifted one shoulder. “Can I talk with him?”
“Why?” She drew out the word, but it lacked inflection. I heard despair beneath it.
“To make him feel better? To tell him it’ll all be okay?” Both were for her, too. I wanted her to know she wasn’t totally alone. When her shadowed face told me nothing, I added, “He’s home, isn’t he?”
“For now, but they have it in for him.”
“Did he do it?” I whispered.
She whispered back, “He says no.”
“Do you believe him?”
“I don’t know. His father was a liar.”
I was a minute processing that. “You’ve never mentioned his father before.” She gestured, like she would have taken the words back if they hadn’t already hit air. But they had, so I asked, “Does he know about this?”
She shook her head. “He’s not in the picture.”
“Should he be—I mean, helping with legal costs and all?”
“No. I’m good.” She folded her arms around her middle.
“Maybe—”
“I’m good.”
Words, body language—she was shutting me out. But I was her friend. Needing to get her talking, I asked, “Was Jay a help?”
“Yes.”
“He did this kind of work before he came here. He’s good at it. His name was the one I was given in case I ever needed help.”
She snuffed. “Like you’d ever need help.”
“We all do sometimes. It was a strong recommendation.” When she remained silent, arms crossed, shoulders hunched, I tried, “The town will support you. So will the Spa.”
The dimness didn’t hide her worry.
“Do you remember Ben Zwick being here?” I asked. “Did you ever work with him?”
“Jay said I shouldn’t talk.”
“This is me. I won’t say anything.”
“Not even under oath?”
She had a point. If I was ever subpoenaed—but I couldn’t go there, couldnotgo there. Feeling helpless and angry at that, I said, “I want to help, Grace. What can I do?”
“Leave. You should leave.”
“You need someone here. Did you eat? You need to eat. So does Chris. I can make eggs or soup. I can stay the night and guard the door. I’ll sleep on the sofa. I’ve done it before.”
“No. Don’t make it worse, Maggie.”
I didn’t imagine how my being there could do that, but I had to respect her wishes. “Did they take your phone?” She gave a short nod. “Did Jay get you another?”
“A burner,” she said with a derisive snort and looked away.
