Lisa Gardner: Alone

"Richard Umbrio murdered my father," Catherine said steadily.

"How dare you suggest I had anything to do with him. For heaven's sake, he killed Tony and Prudence. What incentive did I have to engineer such a thing?"

"You didn't, not for Tony and Prudence. I suspect Judge Gagnon was the one who paid Umbrio for those targets. But Rick Copley, on the other hand… the ADA was going after you, Catherine. If he had his way, you would've lost Nathan."

Catherine thinned her lips mutinously. She said nothing.

"And then there's the judge himself," Bobby continued quietly.

"A man so cautious, so clever, he left behind no phone or financial records that tie him to Colleen or Umbrio. And yet Umbrio headed straight for him. How did he know to go after Judge Gagnon, Catherine? Who gave him the judge's name?"

"You would have to ask Umbrio."

"I can't, Catherine. You killed him."

She didn't say anything more. Because she had no defense, or because she didn't think he'd believe her if she did? He doubted he would ever know the answer to that. When it came to Catherine, he doubted he would ever know the answer to a lot of things.

"Dr. Lane told me something early on," he murmured.

"She said that, for a woman like you, when it came down to protecting your world, there wasn't any line you wouldn't cross. It's true, isn't it, Catherine? To protect yourself against Judge Gagnon, you were willing to deal with the likes of Umbrio. Through Colleen Robinson, you paid money to the devil himself."

He paused a heartbeat.

"Rick Copley," he said quietly, "was a very fine man. So, I think, was your father."

Catherine didn't speak, but he thought he saw tears in her eyes.

"I hope," she said after a moment, "that someday, when you have your own child, you will never know what it's like to fear for his life."

"You had other people to help you, Catherine. I helped you."

She finally looked at him.

"But I didn't know that in the beginning, did I?"

She rose off the bench, still regal, still ungodly beautiful, and even knowing what he knew, he found himself holding his breath.

"D.D."s a good detective," he said softly.

"My son is safe. For that, no price is too high."

"You really believe that, don't you?"

She smiled crookedly.

"Bobby, it's the only thing that keeps me sane at night. I'll miss you in Arizona."

"Goodbye, Catherine."

Catherine retrieved her son. Bobby sat on the bench, snow-flakes falling on his face, and watched them walk away.

After another moment, D.D. emerged from the white van parked down the street. She sat down heavily on the bench beside him.

"Told you you wouldn't get anything," Bobby commented.

She shrugged.

"It was worth a try."

He reached inside his jacket, and went to work on the wires.

"You think she's honestly moving to Arizona?" D.D. asked. Then she added, "I can always extradite her when the time comes."

".Sure."

"I'm going to get her, Bobby."

"It hardly matters." D.D. scowled.

"What do you mean by that?"

"All she'll ever need is one man appointed to the jury, then Catherine will never spend so much as a day behind bars." Bobby rose off the bench.

"Face it, they don't make 'em like her anymore."

"Thank God," D.D. muttered.

Bobby smiled. He stuck his hands into his front jacket pockets and headed home.

As always, I'm deeply indebted to many folks for helping make this book happen. The following list of people kindly and patiently offered me expert opinions. Of course, any mistakes and incidences of artistic license are my responsibility alone.

For information on law enforcement sniping and tactical units, I would like to thank: It. Gary Maroni, Trooper John Bergeron, and Major Marianne McGovern of the Massachusetts State Police; Special Agent James Fitzgerald, FBI; and It. James Swanberg, Rhode Island State Police. I also pass along my sincerest appreciation to several other law enforcement professionals who wished to remain nameless; you know who you are.

Next up, the legal department. My deepest gratitude to Sarah Joss, Assistant Attorney General's Office; Bill Loftus, Civilian Investigator, Suffolk County DA's Office; Jerry Stewart, ADA, Suffolk County DA's Office; Detective Sgt. Richard Clancy, Boston PD, Suffolk County DA's Office; and Patrick Loftus, Defense Attorney.

For medical research, I couldn't have done without the wonderfully devious minds of Margaret Charpentier, Clinical Assistant Professor, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, and Kelly L." Matson, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice, University of Rhode Island. I'm also deeply indebted to my very good friend, Dr. Greg Moffatt for his insights into post-critical incident counseling as well as overall homicidal tendencies. And of course, where would I be without great friend and fellow writer Betsy Eliot, who spent a grand afternoon taking me all over South Boston, and siccing me on her relatives. You're the best, Bets!

In the fun news department, I'm very pleased to announce the first ever winner of the Kill a Friend, Maim a Buddy Sweepstakes. Many people entered, but only one could win the magnificent opportunity to have the person of his or her choice die in my novel. So here's to Jillian Zizza, winner of the contest, and to Jillian's dear friend, Colleen Robinson, whom she nominated to be the Lucky Stiff. Both will be receiving free signed books to celebrate this great honor!

If you would like to nominate yourself, or someone you love, to die in my next novel, never fear. Kill a Friend, Maim a Buddy will begin again in the fall. Check out www.LisaGardner.com for more details.

Finally, to Kate Miciak, quite honestly the most brilliant editor a girl could have. To Melinda, Barbara, Kathleen, and Diana, for! serving once again as brilliant proofreaders. To Brandi, because we all know I couldn't have done it without you. And to my husband and my very own Tuesday's child, for filling my world with grace.

Lisa Gardner sold her first novel when she was just 20 years old. In 1993 she graduated magna cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in international relations. She lives in New Hampshire.