“First time you’ve been away from him since he was injured?”
“Yeah. And truth to tell, he’s probably doing better with it than I am.”
“You know you can take more time if you need it.”
“Thanks, Norm, but no. I just have to stop fretting over him like a mother hen with her chick. He’s OK, and I need to get back to work.”
“Speaking of that,” Clayton said. “I need to get him in here, Colin. We need his statement. And we need to start prepping him for the grand jury.”
Colin blew out a breath. “Christ, Norm!”
“I’ve been moving the case along. We’re going to blow right past Class 5 abduction. We’re going to throw the book at this bastard. Intent to defile, aggravated assault, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, great bodily harm...the works. But we need Joshua. The other victims will testify, no question. But Josh is the only one he directly threatened with rape and murder. Plus, Pageconfessedto Josh that he raped the other victims. If we want to go for abduction with intent to defile, which can earn Page a life sentence, we’re going to need him to affirm those statements.”
“You need him to testify before the grand jury.”
“You know I do.”
Colin stared down at his desktop. The attorney inside him understood the need for Joshua’s testimony and approved of Clayton’s request. But the husband in him cringed at the thought of asking Joshua to relive his harrowing ordeal.
“He’ll do it, Norm,” Colin said finally. “I’ll talk to him tonight.” Colin gave his head a taut shake and hissed out an angry breath. “But, God, Ihateasking him to go through all that.”
“You know how important it is, Colin. He’s our key witness. Our case against Page will be a lot less effective without him.”
Colin nodded, but his head was lowered as Clayton rose and moved to leave his office. “Hey, Norm, wait!” Colin called, suddenly alert. “When do you need him? When’s the grand jury due to be impaneled?”
“Next week, if Josh thinks he’s up to it. It’s to our advantage to get him in front of a jury as fast as we can, while the story is still fresh in people’s minds. His kidnapping got a lot of press. I’d like to exploit that as much as possible.”
Colin blew out a breath and nodded. “OK, Norm. I’ll talk to him tonight for sure. I’ll have something for you tomorrow morning.”
“Colin, if he’s not well...”
“No. I don’t think that’s going to be an issue. It’s three weeks since the assault, and he’s improved every day. Physically, he’s well on the road to recovery. It’s just...” He glanced into Clayton’s eyes. “Emotionally and mentally, he’s still a bit fragile at times. He’sOK, but it doesn’t take much to—well, to upset him.”
“We’ll be as easy on him as we can, Colin. But we need him to testify.”
“I understand, Norm.”
Clayton threw Colin a wave as he exited the office. For a moment Colin simply stared after him, lost in thought. He felt his stomach clench in dread.I have to tell him,he thought.But, damn! I’d rather take a sharp stick to the eye.
* * *
When he arrivedat home that night, Joshua was on the porch waiting for him and leapt into his arms the moment Colin ascended the steps.
“Hey there, bud! You’re gonna knock me off the porch,” Colin teased. He pulled Joshua’s body tight against his own and buried his face in Joshua’s neck. “You OK, baby?”
“I’m fine,” Joshua told him. “Had an online session with Deena, cleaned house a bit, and made dinner.”
Colin leaned back and stared at him, his frown suggesting both worry and disapproval.
“I didnotoverdo!” Joshua insisted. “Honestly, none of it caused even the tiniest symptom.”
“Let’s go in,” Colin said, leading Joshua by the hand. “Because what I have to tell you may change all that.”
“Well,that’scertainly ominous.”
Colin pulled him to the couch and took his hand. “Talked with Norm today.”
Joshua’s eyes swung to the unlit fireplace. “Oh god.”
