Page 57 of Feared

“He’s suing us. You never know.”

“Okay.” Mary took the call, and Machiavelli popped onto the screen, dressed in a gray suit with a white polo shirt. His hair was slicked back, and his narrow eyes glittered darkly. He was wearing his fake-earnest face, but Mary didn’t know why.

“Mare, you looked damn good on TV. I think you’re even sexier pregnant, you know that?”

“What do you want? I told you not to call.”

“I went to early Mass. I didn’t see you.”

Mary suppressed an eye roll. They lived in the same parish, and the thought of him sitting in her church made her blood boil. “Why are you calling?”

“I wanted to pay my respects about John Foxman. My condolences. I lit a candle for him. So did my mom.”

Listening, Judy shrugged, but Mary wasn’t fooled. “Thank you,” she said, coldly. “Now why did you really call?”

“Is Judy still with you? Tell her I’m sorry.”

“I’m hanging up.”

“I’m giving you another chance to settle, considering. Thismust be tough, after Foxman’s murder. You got your hands full. Judy’s crying at the Roundhouse. You’re stressed outandyou’re havin’ a baby. You don’t need this hanging over your head.”

“We’re not settling. Didn’t Roger tell you that?”

“Yes, but I’m talking to you now. Come on, I’m not gonna negotiate against myself. Gimme a number.”

“No, now I have to go—”

“Mare, you’re not thinking. My case against you just got stronger. You know that, don’t you?”

“How? Why?” Mary grimaced, disgusted. Judy recoiled, off-screen.

“Mare, think. Foxman’s statements, hisadmissions, are already on the record. They’re going to come into evidence in my case against you guys. They’re not hearsay anymore. And, now you won’t have a chance to rehabilitate or cross-examine him.”

“That’s so sick! That’s ghoulish!” Mary recoiled. She hadn’t even begun to think about how John’s murder affected their reverse-discrimination case.

“Whatever, be real, Mare. It makes my case more credible than ever, even sympathetic. The main witness against you ends up murdered? You know I’m gonna use that. I have anobligationto my clients to use that. I’m going to turn that frown upside down—”

“You are so revolting! Never ever call me again!” Mary hung up, and Judy looked appalled.

“He’sruthless.”

“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you.” Mary shuddered. “Sorry I took the call. I should’ve known better.”

“We can’t settle, no way.” Judy shook her head, newly determined. “I’ll turn his frown right-side up. With myfist.”

“Attagirl,” Mary said, forcing a smile.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Mary and Judy got dropped off at the entrance of Glenn Meade, and they walked along a paved asphalt path that led to William’s house, which was on the southern edge of the campus. Oak trees lined the path, shedding dappled sunlight on the manicured lawns, and Mary marveled as they walked along. Glenn Meade wasn’t a single group home like the one she had seen, but a large, clustered development of modern, redbrick apartment buildings, modified to accommodate some 125 residents and connected by paved asphalt paths. The campus was fifty-five acres and surrounded by woods that had been made handicap accessible with more paved asphalt paths.

“This place is incredible,” Mary said as they walked along.

“I know, it’s wonderful. John used to feel really good that William was in such a nice place.”

Mary spotted a sign that readDuck Pond,which blew her mind. “I’ve been to plenty of group homes, and this is the nicest. It must cost a fortune. Who pays, can I ask?”

“Yes, but it’s a sad story.” Judy frowned. “William has cerebral palsy, caused by a birth injury. The obstetrician who delivered him was drunk at the time. He was an alcoholic.”