Suspicion of Madness by Barbara Parker Read Free Book Online Page A

crisper, she slid across them in a different way.
    They opened the windows to hear the night sounds and feel the air that drifted languorously across their heated skin. Crickets sang in a steady rhythm. From far away came the drone of a boat. She sank into the mattress like floating on the surface of the sea. She drifted near sleep but not into it. Anthony was still awake. She could tell by the way he occasionally let out a sigh. She scooted closer so that her cheek fitted nicely between his shoulders. "Hey." She put her arm around him. He kissed her hand and held it close. She could feel his heart beating. "What's on your mind?"
    He was silent for a time, then said, "I spoke to the detective in the case tonight. He says that Sandra McCoy's throat was slashed to the bone. The intention may have been to let her blood drain out before she was pushed into the quarry."  
    "Oh, God."
    "I don't believe Billy is capable of that."
    "He couldn't have done it. He has an alibi. Remember?"
    "Yes. An alibi." There came another long silence. "Four years ago the prosecutor offered us a plea as the case began to fall apart. A youthful offender boot camp until Billy turned eighteen, then three years of probation. I said no. After Richie failed for the third time to show up for his deposition, and the prosecutor saw the case going down in flames, he said, 'You know, Billy needs some help. Plead him guilty and I'll agree to probation on the condition that he gets some court-supervised therapy.' I refused. Billy was already seeing a psychologist, and I didn't want to burden him and his mother with having to report to the state. So he walked away without a scratch. I went back to Miami and forgot about him. And here we are."
    Gail sat up. The moonlight shone through the windows on Anthony's face. "Oh, sweetie, you don't think you're to blame for what he did to himself, do you?"
    "I don't know, Gail."
    "Of course you aren't." She kissed his shoulder. "If only we could be perfect. If we could see into the future. So many things went into making Billy who he is, and to want to end his life. He's so lucky you're here for him. What other attorney would care as much?"
    Anthony rolled over to his back. He traced a line across her cheek, down her neck, and finally to her breast, which he cradled as if it were a flower. "Tú que no sabes lo mucho te quiero."
    Her body warmed under his touch, and suddenly all her arguments seemed petty. She wanted this man. Waiting another eight months made no sense at all. Too much could happen in eight months. She would be thirty-six then. He could get tired of waiting. They could die in an car crash. Any number of awful things could happen, and then it would be too late.
    Her eyes stung. "The answer is yes."
    "Your Spanish is slipping. I didn't ask you anything. I said, 'You don't know how much I love you.'"
    "You mean to tell me you don't remember the question?"
    "What question?" He watched the path of his hand as it traveled to the other breast, circling lazily.
    "Do I want to marry you before we go home? Do I want to live with you? Can I somehow explain it to Karen? The answer is yes. Yes, yes."
    He frowned. "You want to get married in the Keys?"  
    "Oh! I knew it. You're so rotten! You didn't mean a word."  
    "Yes, I did."
    "You did not. You were counting on me to say no. Admit it." She grabbed a pillow and swung it at him.
    "Ay, niñita." He was laughing. "All right, I didn't think you would say yes, but I am glad you did."  
    "Swear?"
    "Te lo juro de todo corazón." He made an X over his heart. "I want you for my wife. I have no second thoughts, Gail. Don't ever say that to me again. And don't tell me tomorrow that you've changed your mind. You wouldn't make it back to Miami alive."
    "I won't change my mind."
     
     

 
    5
     
     
    At 6:30A.M. the clock radio buzzed. Gray light was filtering through the shutters. Anthony groaned and swung his feet to the floor. Gail didn't move. How long had he slept? Four