Page 106 of After Anna

“So what I’m doing isn’t good enough?”

“No, it’s not.”

“Well, that’s nice.” Noah returned his attention to the computer and slid his reading glasses back on, his mouth a bitter twist. “I’m not going to fight with you anymore. I have work to do. I have to moderate a panel. I’m leaving Sunday morning until Thursday night. I decided to stay for the closing sessions. I can pick up three CME credits, and Anthony Fauci is speaking, the NIAID Director. He identified AIDS, you know.”

“I know,” Maggie said, though she hadn’t been exactly sure. “You’re going to stay ’til closing?”

“Yes, I wanted to anyway, and given what’s going on here, it makes sense.”

“So you’re running away.” Maggie folded her arms.

“No, I’m doing my job.”

“Did you remember we have the barbecue on Saturday? I emailed the invitations, and you’re leaving me to prepare by myself.” Maggie knew it wasn’t what was really bothering her. It was just what she could get him on.

“I’ll be home in plenty of time to help.”

“I can’t leave things until last minute. Food shopping, going to the beer distributor, getting the extra chairs and folding tables from the garage, cleaning up in the backyard, that has to be done in advance.”

“I’ll be here for the heavy lifting. Leave it for me.” Noah squinted at the screen, evidently dismissing her.

“Fine,” Maggie turned angrily away. Something was going on with him, but she didn’t know what. She climbed the stairs, starting to wonder about the conference. And why he was staying longer.

And then she realized. He would seeher.

Jordan.

Chapter Fifty-one

Noah, After

TRIAL, DAY 4

Noah sat at counsel table, as the Commonwealth witness was about to take the stand. He couldn’t help but think that the prosecution had produced enough evidence to convict him. Thomas had warned him that he would feel the worst by the end of the Commonwealth’s case, and even though Noah had been prepared, it was cold comfort.

Linda stood at the front of the courtroom waiting while her witness was sworn in, a slim Indian woman dressed in a trim blue suit, with steel-rimmed glasses and her dark, glossy hair in a short pageboy.

“Please state your name for the record,” Linda said pleasantly, as the witness sat down.

“Dr. Lydia Kapoor.”

“And please tell the jury your occupation.”

“I am the assistant coroner for Montgomery County.” Dr. Kapoor was probably fifty-something and she gave off an air of experience and clinical authority.

“How long have you been in that position?”

“Approximately seven years.”

“And in that time, how many autopsies would you estimate you have performed?”

“We perform about 220 autopsies per year.” Dr. Kapoor pressed up her glasses.

“And did you perform the autopsy on Anna Desroches, the victim in this case?”

“Yes.”

Noah could see the jury shifting in their seats, anticipating the testimony to come. The gallery was beginning to crane their necks, and his attention was caught by a woman he recognized instantly. It was Jordan.