Page 135 of Everything She Feared

“Criminal, I see. But we don’t—Hold, please.”

Hold music played. A Beatles’ ballad, “Yesterday.” Then the receptionist came back.

“Sorry for the delay. I’m going to connect you.”

The line clicked, then a man answered.

“Lincoln Berdell.”

“Hello, Mr. Berdell. Are you an attorney?”

“I am.”

“And this call is confidential?”

“Yes, go ahead and tell me about your situation. Let’s start there.”

Sara began by saying that years ago her parents had been clients of the firm for property and estate matters. Sara never mentioned Magda and she didn’t think it likely Berdell would be aware of any connection. She began summarizing Katie’s circumstances but didn’t get far.

“Excuse me, Ms. Harmon,” Berdell interrupted her. “I understand.” She could hear his keyboard clicking. “We don’t handle cases like this. You’re going to want a juvenile criminal defense attorney.”

“But I don’t know any.”

“I know a firm, and an attorney there, Rose Aranda. I’ll get your information and have Rose reach out to you as soon as possible.”

Unable to concentrate, Sara kept busy flipping the pages of books, preparing the box for donation while mentally contending with her confusion and dread. Time went by slowly until her phone rang with a call from Rose Aranda.

Sara outlined Katie’s predicament to Aranda, reiterating the fact that she was with Anna Shaw when she fell.

“I recall the news reports,” Aranda said. “If detectives are coming tomorrow at four, I’ll be there at three to talk further with you and Katie. You did the right thing, Sara, by agreeing to cooperate and seeking legal help.”

“Thank you, Rose. I have to ask, what’s your fee?”

“It’s normally three-fifty per hour. The first consultation is free, so I’ll count tomorrow as a first consultation. We also do pro bono work. We’ll work something out, Sara. Don’t worry.”

Adina and Tamika got Katie back home in time for supper.

Over homemade tacos Sara explained what would be taking place tomorrow with the detectives.

“Fingerprints?” Katie said. “Does that mean I’m getting arrested and going to jail?”

“No, sweetie, it’s police stuff. We’ll have a lawyer here helping us. You’ll meet her tomorrow. Her name is Rose and she sounds nice.”

Katie stared at her plate with a blank expression. Then Sara said: “What is it?”

“I didn’t make Anna fall, Mom.”

“Are you ready to tell me more about that day?”

Katie shook her head.

“No, because if I did, you would think I made Anna fall, but I didn’t.”

“Did you make Anna fall, Katie? Even by accident?”

Katie shook her head.

“Is that the truth?”

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