Page 119 of Nobody's Fool

But I hold my tongue. “That’s why I’d like to talk to Caroline,” I say instead.

“I don’t really understand,” Judith says with an exaggerated tilt of her head. “What could Caroline tell you about Victoria’s death? Wasn’t the shooter aiming for you?”

“We don’t know for sure.”

“But surely you can’t think someone wanted to kill Victoria.”

“Someone kidnapped her. Someone held her for eleven years. We are digging into that too.”

“And you think that led to her death?”

“I don’t know,” I say. “It’s possible. Either way, she should have justice for what was done to her.”

“After her death?” Judith playfully arches an eyebrow. “Do you think the kidnapper matters to the dead?”

“I’m not deep enough for such meanderings,” I say, “but at worst, it could stop someone from doing it again.”

“That’s true, I suppose.”

“The night Victoria disappeared,” I say, trying to get us back on track, “there was a New Millennium party at McCabe’s Pub.”

“I’m well aware.”

“And Caroline was there.”

“Of course. In fact, Caroline cohosted with Victoria.”

“Where is Caroline?” I ask again.

She spins back toward the portrait. Now her eyes land on her only daughter. “Are you familiar with the Solemani Recovery Center?”

I am. It’s a very high-end, exclusive rehab center. “That’s where she is?”

Judith nods. “I’ll inform them of your visit, so they can”—she pauses as though thinking of the right word—“prepare Caroline. Will tomorrow morning work for you?”

“Any chance I could see her today?”

A tight smile now. “I’m afraid not, no.”

“Is Caroline okay?”

Judith bites down on her lower lip. “I’m not sure she is ready for visitors, but if it will help the Belmonds, we are both more than willing to cooperate.”

“I appreciate that,” I say, spitting nails.

We stand there. She is taller and so moves closer, but I’m used to that. She can’t intimidate me that way.

“I’ll be on my way,” I say.

“Did you know that I used to see Talia Belmond?” Judith says to me, and there is something teasing in her voice. “Professionally speaking, I mean.”

I didn’t expect that. “You were Talia’s therapist?”

“Her doctor, yes. After her daughter vanished, well, you can imagine. I can’t say very much about our sessions, of course.”

“But she started seeing you after Victoria disappeared? Talia Belmond, I mean.”

“Yes. She had severe trouble dealing with the trauma”—Judith flashes her razor-sharp smile at me—“and of course, the guilt.”

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