Chapter 21
Chapter
Twenty-One
“Hey,” Kara said to her mother, who was helping herself to coffee.
When Judith turned to face her, Kara noted that every blonde hair was in place, her makeup had been artfully applied to shave ten years off her face, and she wore the latest in fitness attire that put her perfect body on full display. Her mother took one look at Kara’s disheveled appearance and frowned. “Were you still in bed?”
“I was. I had a rough night.” She placed a hand on the baby bump. “The heartburn is brutal.”
“Oh it is. I had the worst time with that, too.”
“I still can’t imagine doing this eleven times.”
Judith’s smile had a brittleness to it that was new. “Is Dan here?”
“Yes, he’s resting, though. He was up with me during the night.”
“I’m sorry to disturb you. I just wanted…” Holding her coffee mug, she leaned back against the counter and sighed. “I need someone to tell me this is going to work out. My sons didn’t kill that woman. They couldn’t have.”
“Dan is doing everything he can for Kirby. He’s hoping for a dismissal of the charges or at least another bail hearing.”
“I’m so worried about Kirby. Keith knows how to handle himself in tough situations, but Kirby…” She shook her head. “I can’t picture him in jail.”
Kara’s heart went out to Judith, which was an odd feeling since she was usually inclined to keep her distance from her remote, emotionally unavailable mother. “I’m sure he’s hanging in there. He’s a survivor.”
“Is he, though? What if someone hurts him…”
“He’s in the town jail, not the state prison. He’ll be okay. Hopefully, Dan will get him out of there sooner rather than later.”
“We’re very thankful for all he’s doing.”
“We’re glad he could help. I know it’s hard not to worry, but from what Dan says, the case against them is flimsy at best. He thinks it was a massive rush to judgment before a full investigation could take place.”
“Daddy said that detestable Jonah Brown is their so-called eyewitness. He’s cost us a fortune fending off his ridiculous lawsuit.”
“According to Dan, the police didn’t know about the lawsuit until he told them. That’s included in the motion he filed.”
“Listen to you,” Judith said with a warm smile. “Talking like a lawyer.”
“He’s taught me well.”
“I want you to know…”
Kara waited, eager to hear what her mother had to say, which was also a first.
Judith took a deep breath and looked up at her, seeming more emotional than Kara had ever seen her. “I’m just thrilled that you’re so happy with Dan. He’s a remarkable guy and obviously head over heels in love with you. You deserve that, Kara.”
“Thank you. He’s made me very happy indeed.”
“I also want you to know that I’m… I’m sorry about what happened with Kelly and Matt. We never should’ve supported her the way we did. They hurt you, we hurt you, and I deeply regret that.”
Kara stared at her in amazement after hearing the words she’d never expected to hear. “Oh. Well. Thank you.”
“Being a mother is difficult, as you’ll soon learn, but there’re times when you have to take sides. I should’ve taken your side, and I’ll always regret that I didn’t. I wanted you to know that.”
Kara went to her aloof, untouchable mother and hugged her. “Thank you. That means a lot to me.”
“I hate this terrible rift between you girls, but I understand why you’ll never forgive her.”
“I forgave her a long time ago. I couldn’t hold on to that level of outrage and live a healthy life. But I’m never letting her fully into my life again. I hope you understand. When someone shows you who they really are…”
“You have to believe them.”
“Exactly.”
“In case you’re wondering, she’s very much aware of my disapproval of her choices and the way she and Matt treated you. I put it to the side for Connor’s sake, but she knows.”
“I’m strangely thankful to her because without what they did, I never would’ve met Dan, and that would’ve been truly tragic.”
“Yes, it would have, but it never should’ve happened the way it did.”
“No, it shouldn’t have. Thank you for what you said. It means a lot to me to know how you really feel about it.”
“I should’ve told you this a long time ago.”
“Doesn’t matter. Now I know.”
“I was jealous, you know?”
“Of what?”
“Your tight bond with my mother, a bond I never had with her—or with you.”
“I never thought you wanted that with me—or her.”
“I’m not like you and her. You two have a warmth about you that people gravitate toward. I’ve never had that. I love you all so very much but have the worst time showing that for some reason. I wish I was more like you and my mother.”
Kara was incredibly moved by the unprecedented confession from a woman who’d never once displayed an ounce of insecurity or introspection. “All you have to do, Mom, is tell the people you love how you feel. Show them with your words and actions. Be kind and available. That’s all I’ve ever wanted from you—your time, your attention, your affection.”
“I sucked at all that. I’m trying to do better.”
“It’s never too late to make a change.”
“I hope that’s true. I feel so disconnected from you and the others…”
“Take us one at a time. I’m fairly confident everyone will appreciate the overture—as long as it’s followed up by action.”
“It will be. I promise, Kara. I want to be a good grandmother to your baby. I want to be part of your life. I want to get texts from you with pictures and funny stories like my friends get from their kids. I can’t change the past as much as I wish I could, but I’m trying to change the future.”
“For what it’s worth, I’m proud of you. It’s not easy to admit failings and try to fix them.”
“I’ve been in therapy for a while now. It’s helped me to see some things a little differently. And just so you know, it’s worth a lot to me that you’re proud. I’m proud of you, too, and the life you’ve built for yourself on Gansett with Dan. It’s obvious that you’re both very well loved there.”
“We’ve found a beautiful life there.”
“I hope this is resolved soon so you can go home. But in the meantime, Daddy and I would love to have you two over for dinner, with Mom and Buster, too, of course.”
“We’d like that.”
“I’ll text you to make a date.”
“Thanks for coming by, Mom. It means a lot to me to hear the things you said.”
“I’m sorry again that it took so long.”
Kara shrugged. “Better late than never.”
Her mother initiated the hug this time. “Love you, sweet girl.”
“Love you, too.”
Kara waved to her mother as she drove off in her silver Mercedes sedan. Then she went into the bedroom to find Dan sitting up in bed, scrolling through his phone.
“What was that about?”
“You won’t believe it.” His eyes went wide as she conveyed the gist of the conversation with her mother. “She actually apologized for how she handled the Kelly and Matt disaster.”
“Wow, that must’ve been nice to hear.”
Kara stretched out on the bed next to him. “It was rather shocking, but also vindicating in many ways. She told me she wishes she was more like Bertha and me. She said she’s always been envious of our tight bond and easy way with people.”
“How do you feel about that?”
“Amazed. I had no idea she felt that way. I always thought my tight bond with Bertha annoyed her because I preferred being here to being home.”
“Your mother could learn a lot about how to be from both of you.”
“She said she’s been in therapy for some time now, and it’s been revealing.”
“I’m happy for you that she made that kind of effort.”
“Yeah, it was pretty cool after wishing for so long that she could be different.”
“Just proceed with caution. A tiger’s stripes don’t change overnight. I don’t want you hurt by her again.”
“I hear you, but this feels legit to me. She said she wants me to text her with pictures and funny stories about the baby. I never would’ve done that if she hadn’t said she wants me to.”
“This is great news all around.”
“It is, but I hear you about proceeding with caution. She wants us to come to dinner. I told her we’d like to do that.”
“Sure, whatever you want is fine with me.”
“Thank you for not holding her past transgressions against her.”
“When did I say I wasn’t doing that?”
Kara laughed and snuggled up to him.
He put his arms around her. “I’ll never forget the way they treated you, and I’ll never forgive them for hurting you. But that said… If you want to have a closer relationship with them, I’m cautiously optimistic for you—and for them. It seems they’ve learned a few valuable lessons later in life.”
“Yes, I told her better late than never.”
“As long as it sticks.”
“Right.”
“Now, about what we were doing before we were so rudely interrupted.” Dan tugged at the belt to her robe. “Naked day, take two.”
He’d no sooner gotten a hand inside her robe than his phone rang. “Goddamn it.”
Kara laughed at the agonized expression on his face.
“I can’t take all these highs and lows .”
She glanced at the tent in the covers caused by his erection.
“Don’t look! That makes it worse.”
She was shaking with laughter when he answered the phone with a gruffly spoken, “Torrington.”
He listened for a second. “As in one o’clock today?” Another pause. “I’ll be there. Thanks for letting me know.”
“What’s up?”
“The judge has asked to see counsel in chambers at one.”
“Is that unusual?”
“Highly, which means the motion has moved him to act. This is very good news.”
“Can I go with you the next time you go to court?”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
She nodded. “I want to see my sexy husband at work.”
“Then we’ll make that happen.” He glanced at his watch. “I’ve got some work to do right here before I have to leave, so hurry up and get naked.”
Kara giggled at the face he made. “Yes, dear.”
Dan was coming out of the shower when his phone rang. He groaned when he saw his mother-in-law’s name on the caller ID.
“Good morning, Judith.”
“Good morning. I spoke to Keith just now, and he’s asked if you can come by as soon as possible.”
“He’s not my client, Judith.”
“I believe that’s what he wishes to discuss.”
“I’ll get over there shortly.”
“Thank you, Dan.”
“No problem.”
“Is there anything you can tell me that’ll give me some hope?”
“The judge has scheduled a meeting with the attorneys today, which I’m taking as a hopeful sign. I’m working the case from every angle and hoping for more information shortly. I know it has to be so hard, but you have to be patient. This could be a marathon, not a sprint.”
“I feel like I’m coming out of my skin. My sons… accused of murder . My God in heaven… There’s just no way they’d ever hurt a woman. We might’ve failed them in many ways as parents, but they were taught to respect others, to protect women and children… They couldn’t have done this, Dan.”
“I’m doing everything I can, so try to stay calm. We have to take this one step at a time.”
“Okay,” she said with a sigh. “Okay.”
“The best thing you can do for them is to not talk to the media or anyone else who’s looking for juicy details or something they can use to make everything worse.”
“Understood.”
“I’ll be in touch after the hearing.”
“Thank you again, Dan.”
“You’re welcome.”
Dan texted Walter and asked him to pick him up in thirty minutes. He’d missed his run, but an extra hour in bed with his gorgeous wife beat a run any day.
Kara brought a mug of steaming coffee to the bedroom. Her cheeks were flushed from their lovemaking, and her eyes were bright with happiness and contentment. It was imperative to him that they stay that way. “Who were you talking to?”
Dan took the mug from her. “Your mother.”
Kara sat next to him on the bed. “Oh jeez. Is she driving you crazy? I can tell her to back off.”
“Don’t worry about it. I took care of it.”
“I’m sorry. I hate this.”
“It’s fine. She’s having a very hard time with this whole thing, which is totally understandable. She said Keith asked to see me.”
“Oh really? Is he figuring out that Matt isn’t the attorney he needs?”
Dan smiled at the catty tone. “Perhaps.”
“Are you going to see him?”
“Of course. I have no beef with him. If he wants my help, he’ll have it.”
“You’re too good for this family.”
“Nah, I’m only too good for you. Wait. That came out wrong.”
Kara laughed. “Shockingly, I knew what you meant.”
He slipped an arm around her. “I’m so lucky you put up with me.”
“Yes, you are. I can’t wait to see my man in action.”
“I’ll be so nervous if you’re there.”
“Shut up. You will not.”
Dan laughed. “Can’t get anything by you.”
“Why do you still try?”
“Because it’s always so much fun. Everything with you is fun.”
“Even defending my brothers on murder charges?”
“That’s not so fun but being here with you is. Spending time with Bertha is fun.”
“Renata wants to do dinner tonight. Are you up for that?”
“Absolutely.”
A toot from outside told him Walter had arrived. “That’s my ride.”
“I still can’t believe you hired a driver.”
“I’m getting a lot of good info from him, and I can work from the car. Well worth the investment.”
“Keep me posted.”
“I will.” He left a lingering kiss on her sweet lips. “Love you.”
“Love you, too.”
On the way to Bar Harbor, he took a call from Carter, the investigator. “Hey, man. How’s it going?”
“Making some progress on tracking down the ex-boyfriend. A guy named Billy Norton. They dated in high school and for a couple of years while she was in college. From what your team found on social media it looks like they broke it off over the holidays last year. She never mentioned him again after that. Friends were reaching out with messages of concern that went unanswered publicly.”
“Where’s he located?”
“Lives in Madison, Connecticut, where they grew up and works as a plumber. I’m going there today to do some more digging and talking to people in town to get a handle on him and them as a couple. I’m also trying to figure out where he was last weekend. I should have more for you later today.”
“This is great, Carter. Thank you. We’ve got the probable cause hearing on Thursday.”
“I’m on this full time.”
“Thanks again.”
“You got it.”
“Making some progress, bossman?” Walter asked.
“Maybe.”
Dan spent the rest of the ride poring over an updated police report that he’d received from Detective Cosgrove in his email earlier that morning. The only thing that had changed was two more eyewitnesses asserting that they’d seen Keith with Tanya after the bar closed, which wasn’t really relevant as far as Dan was concerned. He was fairly confident that Keith would be willing to concede that he’d walked with Tanya to the wharf area on the waterfront, where they parted company.
Walter pulled into the public safety complex a short time later, and Dan gathered his things. “I’ve got to be in Ellsworth by one.”
“No problem. I’ll wait for you right here.”
“Thanks, Walter.”
Inside, he asked to see Keith Ballard and was ushered through a security check and into a small airless room like hundreds of others Dan had been in during his career.
Keith was brought in a few minutes later.
Dan barely knew him, but at first glance, it looked as if Keith hadn’t slept in days. In some ways, he was glad to realize the ordeal was taking a toll on Keith. A little less arrogance and defiance would be helpful to his cause. His hair, which was standing on end, was more of a dark blond than Kara’s reddish blonde. He had blue eyes that were bloodshot and a ruddy complexion.
“Thanks for coming in,” he said when he sat across from Dan.
“Sure. What can I do for you?”
“I… Well, I need your help.”
“Okay.”
He finally made eye contact with Dan. “That simple? I ask, and you say okay?”
Dan shrugged. “That’s why I’m here. To help you and Kirby get out of this mess, but Kirby would have to approve me representing you as he’s my client.”
“Matt has no fucking clue what he’s doing.”
“And that surprises you?”
“Not so much. I’m sorry I was a dick the other day, but I’m kind of in shock that I find myself in need of your services.”
“I’ll do whatever I can for you, pending Kirby’s approval.”