Page 4 of Jury Woman, Part 4 of 6

October 4, Sunday

LILY'S EYES were red-rimmed when the call connected. She sat cross-legged on the couch with a throw pillow clutched against her stomach. Josh slouched beside her, gnawing on his bloody thumbnail.

"Mom." Lily's voice wobbled. "I didn't mean to cause so much trouble. I swear. I just thought—" She stopped and pressed her lips together.

For a moment she looked about nine years old, the age when she still crawled into my bed during thunderstorms.

"I know, sweetheart," I said. "It's all been handled. Nobody's in trouble."

Josh pulled his thumb from his mouth long enough to speak. "When that marshal guy walked in, I thought they were going to arrest us."

"That's not how it works, honey. As long as everyone follows the rules, you have nothing to worry about."

He went back to his thumb, then stopped. "Are we in danger?"

"No," I said quickly, firmly. I didn't want them to be afraid.

"Then why's it such a big secret?"

I chose my words with care. "It's just better if the jurors' names stay private. That way reporters don't go knocking on doors, pestering relatives and friends."

"That man told us if anyone asked questions, we should call him."

"That's right, sweetheart. But it probably won't happen."

Behind me, Deputy Wells cleared his throat. The sound was soft, but it may as well have been a gavel.

"Let's talk about something else," I said brightly. "How's school?"

"Fine," they mumbled, practically in unison.

"Lily, isn't Homecoming coming up?"

"In a couple of weeks."

"Are you and Scott going to the dance?"

Her chin trembled, and fresh tears spilled over. "He hasn't asked me yet."

My heart sank on her behalf. Sixteen, and already learning what it felt like to wait for a boy to decide your worth. "Maybe you could ask him. Girls do that now, don't they?"

She squeezed the pillow and said nothing.

"What about you, Josh? Anybody you'd like to take?"

"No way."

Lily sniffed, a flicker of her usual spark returning. "He'd have to shower first. And learn what deodorant is."

"At least I'm not getting ditched for Ariana Taylor," Josh shot back. "Scott's been walking around school with her all week. Maybe that's why he hasn't asked you."

"Shut up, Josh!" Lily flung the pillow at him, launched herself off the couch, and stormed out of frame. Somewhere upstairs, a door slammed hard enough to rattle the picture frames.

"Josh," I said. "That was unkind. Don't tease your sister about Scott. Not right now."

He hunched his shoulders up around his ears. "I hate all this drama. It's all anybody does in this house anymore." He stood. "I gotta go walk Tucker."

"Josh, wait. I love you. And tell Lily I love her, too."