Page 118 of After Anna

Because I didn’t stay. I wouldn’t stay and she was mad—

Noah, what were you doing in her hotel room in the first place? And why did you lie to me about it? How am I supposed to believe you? And what is going on with you?

Maggie, wait—Noah had put his hands up again, seeing that she had been losing control. Tears had spilled from her eyes. Mucus had bubbled in her nose.

Noah, my daughter cried herself to sleep! She told me that you’ve been trying to molest her! You’re telling me you didn’t! How am I supposed to believe you now?

Maggie, what does Anna have to do with it? These things aren’t related—

Yes they are! How stupid do you think I am? You have no credibility with me! You’re, like, a predator!

No, I’m not!

You’ve got a thing for young girls. Jordan was always too young for you! It’s disgusting!

I know that, she was a mistake, it was after Karen—

Stop using Karen for an excuse! I’m so sick of hearing about yourgrief! How inconsolable you were! I’m the one who picked up the pieces! And now, when I finally get what I want, my own daughter coming home, this is how you repay me? This is what you do? Attack her in a bathroom?

No, I’m telling you, don’t connect these things—

How can I not, Noah? I thought you never lied to me, but you lied to me tonight. That text is proof!

I did lie to you about that, but I’m not lying about Anna—

Liars lie, Noah, that’s what they do! I don’t know what happened to you. I don’t know if you’re going through a midlife crisis. I don’t know if the fact that I brought Anna home made you crazy, maybe got you thinking about young women again. Maggie’s lips had curled into a sneer of revulsion.Noah, you’re forty-three! A father. A stepfather. It’s disgusting! She’s underage! I should turn you in to the police, do you know that?

Maggie, wait!Noah had said, panicky. He’d taken a step toward her but she’d moved back into the hallway.Maggie, listen, you’re getting this wrong. I’ve never lied to you before—

Before when? Before tonight? Before Jordan? Before Anna?

Honey, you can’t, you have to believe me—

The hell I do!Maggie had pointed a shaking finger at him, crying harder.Get out of this house tonight, Noah! I don’t care where you go! Go see Jordan! Bring her some effing carbohydrates!

Maggie, no, please—

I don’t want you in this house! I need to think and I need to talk to my daughter!

Maggie, please, just let me explain—

There’s nothing more to explain. You don’t have anything more to say, do you?Maggie had put her hands on her hips, her eyes boring into him. She’d been looking at him as if she’d never seen him before.

Maggie, stop, slow down, I’m not what you think—

That’s what I’m worried about. Now get out!

“I have no further questions, thank you, Ms. Evans.” Linda turned to Judge Gardner, and Thomas rose.

“Your Honor, I have cross-examination.”

“Proceed.” Judge Gardner gestured, and Linda returned to her seat as Thomas came forward.

“Ms. Evans, you testified that you found certain threads of the victim’s on Dr. Alderman, and conversely, you found certain threads of Dr. Alderman’s on the victim, isn’t that correct?”

“Yes.”

“It’s true, isn’t it, that your experience and expertise do not reveal to you how those fibers were exchanged, now do they?”