Page 31 of After Anna

If the Defendant has committed prior acts of abuse against plaintiff and/or minor children, please describe these prior incidents, including any threats, injuries, or incidents of stalking, and indicate approximately when such acts of abuse occurred.

My stepfather Noah Alderman put his hand under my dress during a driving lesson on Thursday, April 27, at about 8:30 pm.

Noah read with a sinking heart. “Yes.”

“Anna testified in support of her allegations at an emergency PFA hearing on May 8, did she not?”

“Yes.”

“And you testified as well and denied those allegations at the hearing, didn’t you?”

“Yes.”

Linda’s dark eyes glittered. “Is itnormalfor a stepfather to be called to testify at a PFA hearing regarding sexual abuse against his stepdaughter?”

“No.”

“Is itnormalfor a stepfather to make sexual advances against his stepdaughter?”

“No,” Noah answered, hiding his dismay.

“Dr. Alderman, isn’t it true that you tried to seduce Anna but she spurned your advances?”

“No.”

“But after Anna filed for a PFA, your wife asked you to leave the home, did she not?”

“Yes.”

“So what you meant earlier in your answer was ‘before Anna,’ wasn’t it?”

“Yes.” Noah felt his throat go dry. He was off to a bad start.

“Dr. Alderman, isn’t it true that Anna was murdered only two days after she filed the Petition for a PFA against you?”

“Yes,” Noah had to admit, and still on the screen was the PFA petition, next to the beautiful photo of Anna on the easel. He knew this was all calculated, an opening tableau against him.

“Dr. Alderman, let’s move to the night in question, May 10, shall we?”

Noah took a deep breath.

Chapter Sixteen

Maggie, Before

Maggie climbed the staircase at the Congreve Inn, and Anna rolled her overnight bag behind her. Maggie had been delighted that Anna had decided to spend the night with her rather than in the dorm, and they had already packed the car. They reached the door, and Maggie got out her key. “Anna, I’m starved, aren’t you? How about we get room service?”

“Sweet.” Anna lugged the roller bag onto the landing. “The room service here is supposed to be great. They make eggplant parm with local cheeses. All the Parker parents stay here.”

“Well, you’re not a Parker anymore.” Maggie entered the room and flicked the light switch, which illuminated old-fashioned crystal lamps on the night tables. The hotel room had two queen-size beds with dotted-Swiss canopies, and chintz chairs matched the faded flower wallpaper. The far wall had a long panel of windows flanked by chintz curtains, and the effect was charming.

Anna rolled her bag inside. “Canopy beds! I love those.”

“Make yourself comfortable, and I’ll order us two eggplant parms. How about a salad to go with?”

“Great!” Anna shed her coat and sat down on one of the beds.

“Let’s have dessert, too.” Maggie crossed to the dresser, which hada printed menu under glass. “The choices are lemon poppyseed cake, chocolate cake, bread pudding—”