Page 48 of The Nature of Secrets

Where was the line between carrying out the law and finding justice?

Her cell vibrated, dragging her from the dark thoughts.

Local number.

“O’Sullivan.” She shifted into reverse.

This case—the similarities between her situation with Derrick and Winthrop’s dead husband were undeniable. Working the Winthrop case had Finley seeing herself in a different light.

She didn’t like what she saw one little bit.

“Finley, this is Jessica Lauder.”

Lauder’s voice sounded as if she was winded. Maybe they’d had group Pilates? “Is everything all right, Jessica?”

“I need to speak with you,” Lauder urged. “It’s important.”

Finley merged into traffic. “I can be at your office in under ten minutes.”

“No.”

Finley braked for the traffic signal at the intersection. No? “Are you at home today?”

“No. I ... I just need to speak with you privately.”

A smile tugged at Finley’s lips. So, the first breach in the carefully constructed wall of solidarity had happened.

That was the thing about secrets: they were only secret if only you knew them.

“Name the place.”

“I can come to your office.”

Worked for Finley. “I’ll meet you there.”

The Finnegan Firm

Tenth Avenue, Nashville, 2:00 p.m.

Jack hadn’t returned from a late lunch when Finley arrived. She gave Nita the lowdown and had her send Jessica to her office when she arrived.

The youngest member of the Winthrop five looked an emotional wreck. Her hands visibly shook. Her eyes were bloodshot as if she hadn’t slept.

After Finley had rounded up bottles of water, the women settled on opposite sides of her desk.

“Take your time,” Finley suggested after an extended silence while the other woman sipped her water, “and tell me what’s happening that has you concerned.”

Jessica placed her water bottle on the edge of the desk and met Finley’s gaze. “I’m very concerned about Ellen.”

Finley waited for her to go on. There would be more.

“She’s not herself,” Jessica added. “I’ve never seen her this way.”

“She just lost her husband,” Finley reminded Jessica. “She hasn’t suffered this kind of loss before; I’m sure it’s a new place for her. It might be a while before she’s herself again.”

Jessica shook her head. “I think it’s more. It’s as if ...” She seemed to search for the right words.

Finley had a few she could toss out, liketoo in control,too unshaken, but she waited. She needed to hear what this woman saw and felt.

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