All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright Mary Faderan and Colin Firth
The first Monday of March was a mild day. The sun
was shining, and any residual snow had melted into puddles
on the streets of Hartford. There was a slight breeze, and
every one that walked outside commented on how lovely the
day was.
Jonathan Moore and Mike Oates stepped out into the
sunlight, followed by Olivia. Everyone looked happy. Olivia
was dabbing her eyes with tissue. But a smile wreathed her
face. They were joined by Inspector Ingraham, who looked
speculatively at Mike.
“Well, this is the day you have to head to West
Virginia, Mike,” Inspector Ingraham said.
“Already?” asked Olivia with wide eyes. “We wanted
to have a small celebration.”
“Sorry. It’s not something I can do anything about.
Mike is remanded to serve out his sentence as a doctor in the
wilds of the Blue Ridge Mountains.”
Mike smiled at his mother. “I’ll keep in touch, Mother.
You need to understand it’s something we agreed to. I have
my freedom, at least, to be out of a prison cell.”
Jonathan, who had not spoken much, spoke now.
“Mike, you will be fine. I’ll check in with you as your lawyer,
and you and I will have a call every week, just so we keep to
the agreement.”
“That’s fine.”
“What about me? Can I visit Mike?” Olivia inquired.
“Yes, of course. But he is going to be living in a very
cramped space.”
“Well, I don’t care. I’ll demand to see my son.”
“OK, Mike,” Ingraham said with some asperity. “I’ll
take you with me now. Goodbye to you both.”
Olivia watched as Mike and Ingraham went down the
street and out of view. “Have you told Lauren anything?”
“She knows.”
“Will she—?”
“Not sure, Olivia, my love. I just don’t know.”
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