Page 81 of Of Literature and Lattes
“Can I talk to her?”
“No.” The word was short, direct, and it brooked no argument. Pullman slid a cloth from his coat pocket and wiped at his glasses. “We’re on dangerous ground, Ms. Harrison. One XGC client committed suicide in March, and that means a charge of reckless homicide is on the table. Right now we must make sure our information is accurate and handled properly. This is confidential medical information and it has already been abused.” He set his glasses back on his nose and peered over them. “Furthermore, beyond myriad legal issues, these are people’s very lives.”
Alyssa couldn’t breathe. All her refutations, rationales, and her insistence in every interview that all could be made well, played before her. She had consoled herself, justified herself, with the fact that “these are future predictions, not diagnostic.” Confirmation bias struck again. She believed only what she chose to see and had seen only what she needed to believe.
“Ms. Harrison?... Do you understand?”
Alyssa shook her head trying to clear away her guilt, which was tipping to panic with each shallow breath. “I didn’t know... No one reported that. I’ve been searching the internet every day, and it’s nowhere. No one said that happened.”
“It isn’t something we’ve made public.”
Alyssa felt her body go hot. She rolled her chair inches away, as if distance could help.
“Do you understand, Ms. Harrison? I need to hear you say you will not approach this woman. I also need to remind you that you signed a confidentiality agreement the day you arrived here. It covers all information pertaining to this case. All of it.”
“Yes... I... Of course.” She popped out of her chair. “Do you need me? I... I need to go.” She scanned the room for the way out. She had forgotten where it was. “Do I need to come back next week? I’m done. I... I don’t know what else I can tell you.”
Pullman stood. “We’re fine. Thank you. I’ll have the team look this over on Monday, and we’ll reach out if we have further questions.” He stepped beside her and pulled her chair closer. “You’ve gone pale. Why don’t you sit down again? I didn’t mean to shock you, I simply want you to understand the severity of this.”
Alyssa could not sit. She needed out. “I do, and I’m fine. I didn’t know, but I’m fine, really, I just need to go... Thank you.” She picked up her bag and stepped to the door. She spun around. “You’re not going to arrest me anymore, are you?”
“I may have more questions for you, but no, I doubt I’ll arrest you.” Pullman gave a half smile.
Alyssa fled the building.
Alyssa sat in her car outside the Sweet Shoppe. She shouldn’t be there. She should go straight home. She watched Jill Pennet inside wiping her counters; she watched customers come and go; and no matter how many times she told herself to drive away, she remained right where she was.
After another fifteen minutes, she got out of her car and pushed open the door.
The bell chimed, and savory smells hit Alyssa first. They reminded her of Jeremy. The Sweet Shoppe didn’t carry the savory baked goods Jill provided for Andante.
Jill emerged from the back room wiping her hands on her apron. “I’m sorry if I kept you waiting.”
Alyssa shook her head. Jill was about ten years older than she was. She didn’t know her personally, but she’d always known of her. Jill’s picture had still hung outside their high school gym during Alyssa’s years. High School All-American in field hockey. 1995.
“Not at all. I...” Alyssa stalled. She hadn’t thought this through. She hadn’t thought anything through. “I wanted to buy—” She looked to the display cases filled with sugary delights, none of which she could eat. “Lemon and rosemary,” she blurted. “You made grain-free lemon and rosemary cookies for Andante. I wanted to buy a dozen.”
Jill grinned. “I am so glad those are selling. It took me days to get that recipe right.” She gestured out her front windows and across the town square. “But I sell nothing here that I make for Andante. It keeps us from competing. We hope.”
“Oh...” Alyssa twisted to look out the window as well. After a moment she turned back to Jill. “But you’re okay, right? You’re okay?”
Something flashed in Jill’s eyes. Alyssa felt herself tip backward, as if physically pulling herself from a metaphorical ledge. “That came out wrong. I’m sorry. I mean your business. Andante isn’t taking too much of your business?”
Jill studied her before answering. “Not at all.”
“Good.” Alyssa looked down at the display case. She couldn’t look at Jill any longer.
“In fact, I think it’s improved it. People see the little sign over there and then remember to come over here. I’ve sold more out of this display case this week than I can remember in a long while, and I’ve got ten birthday cake orders to fill. Usually this time of year brings in about five per week.”
“That’s good.” Alyssa felt her breath hitch. “That’s really good.”
Jill’s eyes softened. “It’s okay if you turn around and hightail it over to Andante for your cookies. I won’t be hurt. They are mine, after all.”
“Yes. Yes... I’ll do that.” Alyssa spun and pushed her way out the door.
Chapter 36
Maybe it would all be okay.
