Page 127 of Deception

“I know,” Dani said. “But we won’t get anything out of her if we try to bulldoze her.”

“She’s right,” he said. “Judith Winslow has a reputation for being a tough lady. You’re not going to outshout her.”

Madison palmed her hands. “Okay. I get it.” She turned to Clayton. “Why don’t you do the talking ... at least initially.”

He agreed and held the door for Madison and Dani. Inside the center, soft music played overhead. Photos of babies lined the walls. Two young, very pregnant girls sat in the lobby. Clayton approached the window and showed his credentials. “I’d like to speak with Mrs. Winslow.”

“Do you have an appointment?”

“No, but tell her Judge Anderson’s granddaughter is here to see her.”

She gave him a curious look. “I will. Have a seat and I’ll let her know you’re here.”

Five minutes passed. “She’s not going to talk to us,” Madison muttered.

Clayton held up his hand. “Let’s give it a few more minutes, and then I’ll play the Chief Nelson card.”

The side door opened and the girl from the window motioned for them to come. She led them to an office at the back of the center and knocked softly.

“Come in.” There was a finality in the tone of voice.

The girl opened the door and ushered them inside with Madison going in first, then Clayton, and Dani bringing up the rear. He turned his attention to Judith Winslow, who sat behind a massive cherry desk, her blood-red lipstick standing out against her pale face.

“I’ve been expecting you.” She extended her hands to the chairs in the room. “Have a seat.”

“This isn’t a social call,” Madison said, her voice tight.

“I’m aware that it isn’t, but there’s no reason we can’t be civil.”

Dani stepped from behind Clayton, and Judith caught her breath and pressed her hand to her chest. He hadn’t thought her face could get any paler, but it did.

68

Judith Winslow straightened her shoulders and turned to Madison. “I assume you found the papers.”

She hadn’t been expecting the woman to be so direct. Madison simply could not think of her as her grandmother. “I did. Contracts, actually, between you and my grandfather and scores of adoptive parents.”

Madison tilted her head. “It was you who trashed Grandfather’s office and locked Nadine in the closet.”

Judith shrugged but didn’t look away. “Did you have a good life?”

Madison narrowed her eyes. “I suppose so, on the days my mother wasn’t in the depressive stage of her bipolar disorder. Then all bets were off.”

“That’s still better than your life would’ve been with a fifteen-year-old with no future.” She tented her fingers. “You see, your mother lived that life. I had her when I was fifteen. Her father never contributed a dime to us. But then, it would be hard for a sixteen-year-old boy to provide for a family. There were many nights we went to bed hungry. I was determined that history would not repeat itself.”

“But did you have to sell us?” Dani asked softly.

“I did not sell you.” Judith Winslow’s eyes were steely. “There are legitimate costs to a pregnancy. Part of the money went to atrust for my daughter and the rest helped start this pregnancy center. Your parents didn’t think it was too much money.” She turned to Madison. “Or your grandfather.”

“You argued with him Wednesday morning at the coffee shop.” Madison leaned forward. “Did you go to the house that night and kill him?”

Judith jumped to her feet. “Get out of my office.”

Suddenly, pain flashed across her face, and she pressed her hand against her chest again. Judith swayed, then sank to the chair and jerked the desk drawer open. Seconds later she pulled out a small amber bottle, shook a tablet into her hand, and popped it under her tongue.

“Are you all right?” Clayton asked. “Can we call someone?”

For a few seconds she sat very still with her eyes closed, then she winced and popped another pill. “I think you better call an ambulance. I’m having a heart—” She pitched forward on the desk.

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