Courting Death - Carol Stephenson [36]
My flippant answer of “once a prosecutor always a prosecutor” died on my lips when my mother appeared in the archway, tears flowing down her cheeks.
I put down the marker. “Mom, what’s wrong.”
“They’re coming for me,” she wailed. “I saw them standing around my bed waiting for me to die so they can steal my body.”
I wrapped my arms around her shaking shoulders and drew her frail frame close. Alzheimer’s was not only sucking her essence away but also leeching her physical body as well.
“Don’t you worry. I won’t let them get you.”
I looked over at Melissa. “Why am I working a case that’s not mine? Because it’s personal. They made it personal when they attacked me in the hospital, and now Mom’s dreaming of bogeymen.”
Understanding lit Melissa’s eyes and she nodded. “Here, Mom.” I guided her to her favorite chair. “Sit down and we’ll play your favorite movie.”
She sniffed. “Sound of Music?”
“You bet.” I went to the TV cabinet, sorted through the DVDs and found the musical. I popped it into the player and turned the set on. The phone rang and Melissa sprang up to get it.
I adjusted the set’s volume. “Nicole, it’s for you.” She came back into the room and extended the portable phone.
“Thanks.” As the opening scene rang out, Mom joined Julie Andrews in singing about the hills being alive with music, and I crossed into the living room.
“Hello?”
“It’s Maria.” Maria was the firm’s go-to secretary. “The office messaging center forwarded me a call from Brian Whitman. The police have arrested Claire.”
“Call him back and tell him I’m on my way.” I disconnected and walked to the stand to replace the phone. I was mentally ticking off what I needed to do when I noticed the message light blinking. I pressed Play. A rough voice spoke in a sing-song manner.
“Annette Sterling, we’re coming to take you away, ha-ha. We’re coming to take away your flesh and bones, ho-ho, hee-hee.”
I heard a gasp behind me and a white-faced Melissa came to stand beside me. “Nicole, that message.”
“Yes.” Fury raged inside me as I hit Save on the machine. “The call didn’t come in this morning before I left for the race. Sophie mentioned she had left Mom alone for a few minutes right before she had her spell. I bet Mom overheard the message as it was being recorded.” I jotted Sam’s number on the notepad I kept by the phone. “Here. Call Sam and tell him about this. Get his ass out here. I’ll be home as soon as I bail out my client.”
Still pale, Melissa nodded. I started to turn but paused. I reached out and touched her arm. “I know you walked into a mess, and I won’t blame you if you want to get out of here. But please wait until I get home.”
The shadows lightened in her eyes and she gave me a fierce hug. “I’m not going anywhere. We Sterlings have to stick together, right?” She released me. “Besides, you’re right.” She tapped the phone. “This is personal.”
“Damn straight.” I’d get the bastards who dared terrify a sick woman. I raced into my bedroom and changed. Grabbing my purse, I headed out to the front door. I heard singing and crossed into the living room. From my vantage point I watched as Melissa leaned forward and joined Mom in the final bars of “Do Re Mi.”
The heavy chain that had been hanging around my neck for so long suddenly felt lighter.
A sharp, cold wind whipped through the detention center parking lot. I wrapped my jacket tighter around me as I watched Brian Whitman bundle his almost-catatonic wife into a car being driven by a family friend. During the first appearance she’d stood so withdrawn beside me that I’d had to nudge her to get her attention.
Fortunately, the bail had been low given the nature of the charge. The judge had deemed the defendant not to be a risk to others or for flight. That didn’t mean she wasn’t a risk to herself.
Brian patted his wife’s shoulder. “I’ll be home as soon as I swing by the office to get some paperwork.” He shut the door and hunched his shoulders as he watched the car drive off. When he turned, he started at seeing me. He gestured with his