Page 75 of Only Girl Alive

The prosecution and defense worked together, which was almost unheard of.

The story of a ten-year-old committing such a heinous crime remained a top news story. Hannah’s attempt to kill Eve placed her team in the limelight. A month later, Eve had still not taken her vacation.

The media went after the fundamentalist church with no holds barred. Eve’s team was seen as the avenging angel of justice. She would have preferred they remain anonymous. After the judge lifted the gag order, it was worse. Eve’s past was scrutinized and someone discovered she’d been part of the polygamist sect as a child. She worried it would be hard for the team to do their job. Her boss disagreed.

“This will die down,” he said during their one-on-one meeting. Lieutenant Crosby was in his fifties. Clean-cut, graying hair, and hard eyes from his years of handling high-profile cases. If anyone knew how the media worked, it was him. “Do your job like you’ve always done and the media will be bored of your work quickly.”

“I’m requesting a week off.”

“Granted. Please tell me you’re heading to a tropical setting and I’ll allow two.”

Eve hadn’t really planned anything but downtime. She wasn’t a beach-type person.

“One will suffice.”

“Call when you return.”

Eve had one thing on her plate for the time off and then she would relax. She had to jump through hoops to get it.

Her team was handling an extortion case without her. Clyde was in charge and most of the work was done from the office. He’d called in a state accountant who was wading through mountains of paperwork. It was a good time for Eve to take a vacation.

She pulled up outside the facility. She’d worn a long-sleeved pale pink blouse with a three-quarter navy skirt. Her hair was higher on the back of her head than she wore it for work. Her navy shoes had one-inch clunky heels. She carried a paper gift bag with no tissue paper inside. It was examined by security personnel.

Eve was led through a long, well-lit institutionalized hallway. No outside windows. The heavy doors solidly snapped into place after they walked through them. The destination was a small area outside with surrounding walls on all four sides. There was grass, a stone picnic table, and trellis against the walls with vines weaving in and out of it.

Hannah sat at the table. She was wearing a blue shirt and khaki pants. Her hair was cut short and it made her appear younger.

“Hi, Hannah,” she said. “I’m Eve.”

“I remember you.” Hannah’s eyes grew larger. They had the same intensity but not the maniacal gleam Eve remembered. “I tried to hurt you.”

“I simply wanted to visit and make sure you were okay.” Eve didn’t know if she should sit down. She’d been nervous since the call came that her request to visit Hannah had been granted.

“Do you want to talk to me?” Hannah asked.

Eve was sure that was all Hannah did. Every psychiatrist in the country probably wanted to get their hands on her and talk. She shook her head.

“I wanted to visit. It’s up to you though. I’m not here to ask questions.”

“You can sit down. What did you bring?”

Eve sat across from her and placed the bag on the table.

“When I was young, my mother gave me something like this so I thought I would return the favor. It’s for you, if you want it.”

“Like a gift?” Hannah’s curious gaze stayed on the bag.

“Exactly like a gift.” Eve pushed it closer.

Hannah lifted her body slightly and looked inside. She reached her hand in and pulled out the white-and-brown stuffed kitten with soft animal-like fur. It had a flat face resembling a Persian.

Hannah’s eyes lifted to Eve’s.

“It’s for me?”

Children in the polygamist community did not receive gifts.

“If you want to keep it, it’s yours.”

---