Page 73 of I'm Watching You

Zack seemed satisfied. ‘Ever had any trouble with anyone connected to the shelter? Anyone ever follow you home?’

‘No. That hasn’t been an issue. But I’ve been called every name in the book by enraged husbands and boyfriends. Even the victims can get nasty when I push them to testify against their abusers. But that’s all par for the course. Nothing new.’

‘What about the woman who was killed by her husband about nine months ago? What was her name? Rogers?’

‘Pam Rogers. And I blame myself for that one.’

He frowned. ‘Why?’

‘I should have seen it coming. Pam was extremely codependent and terrified of living without her husband. I told her time and again not to call her husband, but she couldn’t let it go. Thirty minutes after I left for the day, she called him. A half hour after that he picked her up. He was hitting her before they were in the car. The volunteer on call telephoned me. We called the police.’

‘She was found dead the next morning,’ Zack said.

‘Yes. I went to her funeral. One of her brothers approached me. He was angry and blamed me for what had happened. I remember someone from the crowd dragging him away.’

‘She was an adult, Lindsay. You couldn’t have stopped her.’

‘But if I’d been there I could have talked her out of calling.’ Thebut-ifsstalked her.

His voice softened. ‘You can’t be there twenty-four/seven.’

She shook her head. ‘I still remember the pain in her brother’s eyes.’

‘What was his name?’

‘Simon Palmer.’

‘Where does this guy live?’

‘Richmond. Southside, I think. He’s an accountant.’

‘You had any contact with him since his sister’s funeral?’

‘None.’

The doors to the kitchen swung open and a young waitress with honey blond hair swept into the room with a tray of water glasses, bread sticks, and plates of pasta. Lindsay recognized Zack’s older sister, Eleanor, immediately. Eleanor was thirty-three years old, vivacious, and had Down’s syndrome. She had as much pride as the other Kiers and was determined to be as independent as possible.

Lindsay beamed. ‘Eleanor!’

‘Hi, Lindsay,’ she said, grinning.

When Lindsay had met Eleanor, Eleanor had been living in her parents’ house but had wanted a place of her own. Her fiercely protective family had vetoed the idea. It had been Lindsay who’d suggested that the room over the Kier family garage be converted into an apartment. The idea had been a hit, and within months the room had been turned into a fully functioning apartment. Eleanor had been thrilled. So had her parents.

Eleanor set her tray on a stand and served them.

Lindsay then stood and hugged Eleanor. ‘You look wonderful.’

Eleanor grinned broadly and hugged Lindsay back. ‘You look skinny.’

Lindsay laughed. Eleanor had no pretense and always said what was on her mind. The honesty was refreshing. ‘So everyone keeps telling me. I guess I’d better eat.’

Zack stood. There was softness in his gaze when he looked at his sister. He was a year younger than her, but he’d always been her protector. He’d once told Lindsay that Ellie was the reason he’d become a cop.

‘So what are you doing here this afternoon, Ellie? I figured you’d be helping Mom and Dad with the party.’

Eleanor made a face. ‘No way. Mom is driving us all crazy. She wants the party to be perfect. And Dad is mumbling a lot under his breath.’

Zack smiled. ‘What else is new?’

---