Page 10 of The 24th Hour

He said, “That wasn’t pretty, but we know a lot more about Mary Elena now, don’t we?”

“Yep. If she freaks on the stand …”

“Our case flames out of control.”

CHAPTER 7

YUKI’S MOTHER HAD once said, “Yuki-eh, you have three trains of thought at same time.”

It was true enough. At the moment, those three trains were on parallel tracks, converging on a one-track tunnel. Yuki told Gaines she’d get back to him in a while, then slid into an empty cubicle. Phone in hand, she took her best shot. She called Mary Elena’s psychiatrist, Dr. Stuart Aronson.

By the fourth unanswered ring, Yuki prepared herself for a useless, leave-a-message recording, but before that happened, a masculine voice growled in her ear, “Stu Aronson.”

Yuki said, “Doctor, this is ADA Yuki Castellano—”

“I’ve got a patient in the waiting room,” Dr. Aronson said. “I’ll call you back—”

“I’ve got an emergency here and need direction,” Yuki cut him off.

“Make it fast,” said the doctor.

Yuki explained Mary Elena’s immediate condition quickly and finished with “What should I do?”

“Put her on the phone. Has to be quick,” Dr. Aronson said. “I can only give her five, six minutes.”

Mary Elena was still curled up in the side chair, but she looked more relaxed. Her eyes were closed and one foot touched the floor.

Yuki said, “Mary Elena?”

She opened her eyes. “Did I fall asleep?”

“Yes and that’s okay. But I was worried about you so I called Dr. Aronson—”

“You called my shrink?”

“Yep. He’s here on my phone right now.”

Mary Elena unfolded her limbs and sat up in the chair.

“But why? He’s very busy.”

“He’s free now for a few minutes.”

Mary Elena said, “I’ve never spoken with him on the phone before. Why did you call him? I’m okay.”

Yuki said, “If I say you were speaking as Lily, do you know who I mean?”

“Oh. Lily. She thinks of me as her mother. Did something happen?”

“I think so. I want to be sure you can go through this trial without harm. I’m on your side entirely, and so is Nick. Do you remember Nick?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Please take the phone. Speak with your doctor.”

“And say what?”

Yuki said into the phone, “Dr. Aronson, Mary Elena is here. Please ask her to hand you off to me before you go. I would appreciate it.”

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