Just Take My Heart - Mary Higgins Clark [15]
Thank God for Zach, she thought several times during those days. She recalled how reluctant she had initially been to have any more than a passing acquaintance with him and how relieved and grateful she was now that he had been feeding and walking Bess. He'd even done it while she was on her brief vacations, insisting there was no need to put Bess in a kennel.
“We've become pals,” Zach had said in his shy, diffident manner. “She'll be safe on my watch.”
But, on Sunday night, when Emily returned home at ten p.m., she found it disturbing that Zach was sitting in the porch room with Bess on his lap and watching television.
“Just keeping each other company,” Zach explained, smiling. “Guess you went out to dinner with some friends.”
Emily was about to reply that knowing that she would be working late, she had brought a sandwich and fruit to the office, but then she stopped herself. She did not owe Zach any explanations. At that mo?ment, she became acutely aware that Zach, in his isolation, though he probably didn't realize it, was becoming focused not only on Bess, but on her.
It was a creepy feeling, and for a moment it made her shudder.
Just Take My Heart
11
On the Sunday night before the trial, Richard Moore and his son Cole, who had assisted in preparing the defense, had dinner with Gregg Aldrich and Katie in the dining club in Gregg's apartment building. They had arranged for one of the small private rooms so they could speak openly, and at the same time shield Gregg from the curious gaze of other diners.
Moore, an adept raconteur, was able to coax smiles and even a few chuckles from Gregg and Katie as the salads and entrees were being served. It was a visibly relaxed Katie who stood up and excused herself before dessert. “I promised Dad that if he let me stay during the trial I would keep up with the assignments they sent me. I'm starting right now.”
“What a strong and mature kid she is,” Moore said to Aldrich after Katie left. “You've done a great job with her.”
“She continues to amaze me,” Aldrich said quietly. “She told me that she wouldn't stay for dessert because she was sure we'd want to have some last-minute discussions. I assume that she was correct?”
Richard Moore looked across the table at his client. In the six months since he had been indicted, Gregg had aged ten years. He had lost weight and even though his face was still handsome, he looked weary and there were deep circles under his eyes.
Cole, a younger version of Richard, had immersed himself in this case, and had expressed to his father how concerned he was about the outcome of the case. “Dad, he's got to understand that it's in his best interest to consider a plea. Why do you think he's never allowed us to negotiate with the prosecutor?”
That was a question that Richard Moore had pondered fre?quently, and he thought he might have the answer. Gregg Aldrich needed to convince not only the jury, but himself that he was inno?cent. Only once had Gregg referred to the fact that he was surprised, even shocked, to have come home on the morning of Natalie's death and realize he had been jogging for over two hours. It was almost as if he was questioning himself, Moore recalled. Was it because he was in such denial that he had killed her that his mind had shielded him from the memory? It wouldn't be the first time I've seen that, he thought. And Cole and I have privately agreed that he very probably did kill Natalie ...
The waiter came to the table. All three ordered espresso and skipped dessert. Then Richard Moore cleared his throat. “Gregg,” he said softly, “I wouldn't be doing my best for you if I didn't raise this topic again. I know that you have never wanted us to have any plea discussions with the prosecutor's office, but it's probably not too late to ask them to consider it. You are facing the rest of your life in prison. But I honestly think that they're nervous about this case, too. I really believe that I could get