Peter Simmons broke in
forcefully。 〃Unless you have anything different to ask； I suggest we let
Mrs。 Boulton go。 There are other depositions to be taken； from my client
and yours。〃
Reluctantly the other lawyer agreed。 〃Very well。 Thank you； Mrs。
Boulton。 I have no further questions。〃
Anne heard nothing of the remaining exchange。 Feeling hollowed out； she
let her father…in…law guide her from the room and the building； then
drive her home。
〃There； now； that wasn't so bad；〃 he said when they were back at Anne's
place； but her silence must have tipped him off。 He went to the liquor
cabi and returned with a glass of amber liquid。 〃Drink this。 It'll
help。〃
She downed the liquid quickly； sputtering in reaction to the flame that
scared her throat。 Unable to think； much less speak； she let her head
fall back against the sofa and closed her eyes to the world。
〃Let me call your mother； Anne。 She'll want to be with you。〃
Anne shook her head once； then again。
〃Are you sure？ Would you like me to stay awhile？〃
She forced her head up and her eyes open。 〃No。 I think I'd like to be
alone。〃
He looked torn； but he bent and kissed her head。 〃It's over now。 Keep
telling yourself that。 It's all over。〃 With a reassuring pat to her
shoulder； he let himself out。
Over。 Well； it certainly was that。 Anne's heart might have grieved for