"A glory call?" Cleo tugged on her ear.
"Save a cop, get your name in the paper. A Black teenage boy doesn't receive the same press."
"Did it influence you?" Cleo's eyes squinted.
"No. Everyone bleeds red," she huffed.
"Did you have words with Dr. Knox during Austin Bailey's operation? You planned to take action?" Terry flattened his lips.
"Yes, I was tense. Austin was dying, and Knox delayed coming to help to make a complaint. That was unprofessional. His obligation was to Austin." She shook her head. "Damn it, I needed Austin to live,” she yelled.
"Knox told you that you needed to get laid. He said he would sleep with you out of mercy. How did that make you feel?" Cleo asked.
"How do you think it did? Angry and hurt. I was holding Austin Bailey's heart in my hand. I needed to focus. Randy said something like that to me many times. He was a pig."
Cleo's lips parted. Holding Austin's heart was not an expression. "So, did it make you mad when he left the OR?"
"At that point, I didn't give a crap. There is only so much room to work. Six surgeons were working with me. Once he attached the ECMO machine, Austin did not need him. He left to treat Viola Dufour."
The lawyers went at her for another hour. She explained why she moved to Iowa, what happened at the fatality meeting, and that she had no alibi for the night Randall Knox was murdered. "Do you think they’re going to charge me?"
"You had means and motive. You were home alone which gives you the opportunity. One more question. Are you left- or right-handed?" Newsome asked.
"Left-handed. But I can use both. I used my right hand for part of Austin's surgery."
"Practice?" Cleo speculated.
"PRACTICE? Are you out of your mind?" Elizabeth's gaze narrowed. "I massaged his heart with my left hand and repaired a bronchial artery with my right. Do not ever question my ability to operate again."
"Dr. Reed, I suggest you work on curtailing that temper." Cleo met Elizabeth's scowl with one of her own.
Terry Newsome defused the tensions when he asked Cleo to get Elizabeth some water. "We have all we need now. Dr. Reed, you cannot leave Silverton. If they want to question you again, you remind them you won’t speak without Cleo or me present. Don't give them a DNA swab."
Elizabeth turned away. "I already did. I didn't do this."
"That's alright; we will deal with what happens. The judge refused their request for an arrest warrant based upon lack of evidence. They’re waiting for the DNA, prints, and fibers. I don’t know if they were cocky or stupid—they didn’t ask for a search warrant. They have ample grounds for that. Call me if they show up. They can wait until one of us gets here. Keep to your normal routine, and we’ll speak soon. Please remember showing your frustration won't help the situation."
"Your fee? Don't I need to sign a retainer?"
"Kieran Chase already did," Terry said.
"I don't know Kieran Chase."
"Ask Mr. Bailey." The lawyers packed their briefcases, leaving her with her thoughts and Martin.
Chapter Nine
"Thank you." Elizabeth walked the attorneys and Zach to the door. After seeing them out, she turned around to see Martin standing behind her. Her shoulders lowered in defeat. "Why are you doing this for me, Marty?"
"You're not a murderer." There was a soft, protective look in his gray eyes.
Elizabeth turned away from him. "You don't know. It’s better if you leave.”
"I do, and I’m not going anywhere, Sunshine." He moved closer and wrapped his arms around her. A shudder traveled down her whole body. "I understand some of what happened after I left. I'm so sorry, I wish I could have been there for you."
"How?" Tears came flooding out in a torrent.
Martin gathered her against his body, scooped her up and carried her into the living room. On the couch, he cradled her in his lap as her warm tears soaked his chest. With her head tucked under his chin, he caressed her silky hair and let her cry. "I received a background check on you."
