Chapter Twenty-Two
Steve stood on his lanai in the dark, looking at Amber as she slept in his bed. It was a sight that was familiar to him, standing in the same place but admiring a different woman.
He turned away from the view and faced the ocean still shaken up from the event that had taken place not long before.
He'd awoken from a dream about Catherine, startling himself as he rolled over and said her name only to realize it was Amber next to him and not his wife.
The dream had felt so real; touching her, talking with her.
He gripped the wooden railing trying to fight off the painful emotions that were quickly surfacing, threatening his security that he thought he had under control.
He bent his head and closed his eyes as the built up moisture spilled out, catching it and smearing it over his face with his hand as he tried to wipe away the evidence.
Catherine was never far from his thoughts. She lived in his heart and always would, but over the past few weeks with Amber, he'd felt that he'd dealt with the death and was moving on, but it wasn't true. The dream had proven that.
He missed her now more than ever.
He hadn't dreamt of her in weeks, attributing this vivid one because it happened to fall on the same night that he had eagerly brought someone else into his bed, the bed he and Catherine had shared. The guilt was eating at him so excruciatingly that he couldn't even look at Amber. How could he have moved on so carelessly while his wife lay in a coffin, buried in the ground? The dishonor he felt to their marriage was heartbreaking, not knowing how to get past it as the tears just kept coming.
He felt a hand on his back, startling him as he quickly moved away from it, feeling both embarrassed by his tears and fearful that he might feel relief from the gentle touch, his guilt holding onto that pain that he felt he deserved. He had called her by another woman's name, his dead wife no less.
"Steve," Amber whimpered, seeing the sorrow that was consuming him. She grabbed ahold of his arm as he tried to walk away. "Wait."
"I'm fine," he replied, pulling out of her grip, wanting out of the room.
"Stop!" she cried out, following behind him, but he refused. She yelled again just as he was reaching the door. "Steven! Stop!"
Out of his respect for her, and that alone, he did as he was told.
She came around the front of him as he stood his ground but turned his head, trying to hide the evidence that was engulfing him. "I'm sorry, Amber, for what I said."
She put her hands on his shoulders, squeezing them, willing him to hear her, "I understand what you're feeling! It's ok. I don't care what you said. You miss your wife, and being with me has made you miss her even more. It's ok to feel that! I want you too. You need to feel it, but you also need to find a way to let the guilt go. I don't want to take Catherine's place, nor do I don't want this baby to take Adam and Ava's place. We need to find a way to cope with the guilt of being the survivor. I need you for that, and you need me for it too, because I know what you're feeling!"
He put a hand over his face, the impact of her words setting off a whole new set of emotions. He did need her, more than he thought he did. "I'm sorry," he cried.
Amber stood on her toes and put her arms around his neck, holding him tightly as he buried his face in her neck. "No apologies. You love her as much as I love my children."
"I don't want to lose you because of this," he whimpered. "I need you, Amber." Admitting that to her was like a breath of fresh air as he breathed it in, finding that relief he thought was impossible to attain.
"I know. I need you too," she assured him, "I'm not going anywhere."
She held him firmly, not letting him go, the same as he had done for her during her earlier breakdown.
His embrace was equally strong, clinging to her, feeling his crisis coming to a peaceful end because of her.
They finally released the tender hold but stayed close as he wiped away the remaining moisture from his eyes, not feeling that shame anymore in the least.
He looked at the gentle smile she had for him as a wave of love overshadowed the guilt. He did need her he thought. In this unfortunate course of his life, he grew to need her more than he ever had anyone before, even his wife.
…
Amber felt his lips on her forehead as she opened her eyes, seeing him leaning over her fully dressed. They had gone back to bed after the earlier incident but now he was up and ready to go…somewhere.
"What time is it?" she asked groggily.
"Five," Steve whispered. "Go back to sleep."
"Where are you going?"
"To the office. I want to get a head start on your case."
"At five in the morning?" she questioned.
"Yes, but its ten in Indiana," he reminded her with a raised eyebrow and cool grin.
Amber smiled sleepily, "Early bird gets the worm."
"Or in my case, squashes the worm," he joked, kissing her on the lips this time before standing up. "I'll call ya later."
"Ok, be safe," she whispered, rolling over and already half asleep as the next words staggered out of her mouth. "Love you," she mumbled, her eyes closed.
Steve was halfway out the door and stopped, turning his head looking back at her, questioning what he thought he had just heard.
She looked like she was already back asleep, hugging her pillow and breathing softly.
He stared at her for a few seconds longer, digesting the words that still seemed to be floating in the air. She had said it so casually as if it was a natural occurrence with his daily departure. It wasn't proclaimed in a romantic way in which it required a return, it was sweet, and the meaning behind it just made him all the more determined to get to work and take care of the business of defending her.
He descended the steps with a broad smile.
…
Steve held the phone receiver with his shoulder as he leaned over his desk and grabbed a pen out of the blue pottery cup that Gracie had made for him in school four years before. It was one of his top favorite items that garnished his office.
"Warren County Sherriff's Department," the woman answered on the other end in a dry professional manner. "How may I direct your call?"
"Officer Christopher Hairfield please," Steve replied, tapping the pen impatiently on the warrant that was on his desk.
"One moment please."
He heard a click and then it began to ring.
He sat up, anticipating the voice on the other end, taking in a deep breath and letting it slowly, trying to soothe his temper. He was anxious to speak to the person who was causing Amber added grief, wishing they were face to face.
It rang three more times when the woman's voice reappeared. "I'm sorry but Detective Hairfield is not at his desk. Could I please take a message for him?"
"Is there someone else I could speak with? His partner or the Captain perhaps?"
"One moment please. I'll see if Detective Heroshi is available," she replied in the same robot tone as the line clicked again and began to ring.
"Detective Heroshi," the voice answered almost immediately.
Steve held him in the same regard as he did Hairfield. "This is Lieutenant Commander Steve McGarrett with the Honolulu Police Department, I'm calling in regards to a warrant that your department issued for Amber Michelle Scott, case number D as in Delta, 54290841."
"Yes," John replied, not needing to look up the case to know which one he was referring, "that was done by my partner Detective Hairfield. He's the one you will want to speak with about this."
Steve thought that to be an odd statement. "Do you know how I can reach him?"
"You said you're with the Hawaiian Police Department?" John asked.
"Yes, does he have a cell number? I need some information about the case."
"Actually, Commander, he's on a flight to Honolulu as we speak. Do you have the suspect in custody?"
He was shocked by that news. "He's on his way here…now?!"
"Yes. He wanted to see if he could get some cooperation from your department in locating the suspect."
The arrogance of him coming to his island to try and take Amber back to Indiana made his eye switch and the vein in the side of temple begin to throb. He wanted to deal with Hairfield face to face and was happy to know he was going to get his chance, but in the meantime, he'd settle for his partner if he had too. He just wanted the information on what they had as soon as possible so he could get to work on clearing her name.
"No," Steve replied, "she has not been arrested. I don't know how you run your department over there," he said coldly, "but here we do some investigating before we go running out and start arresting our citizens for murder."
The sarcasm was crystal clear. John was beginning to get irritated that he was taking on the burden of Chris' amateur way in which he was handling this case, both with the warrant and with keeping him in the dark.
"I agree Commander and I can assure you that's how I work as well. However, Chris," he began and then paused, wanting to criticize his partner, but held his tongue. They were partners whether they liked each other or not, but he also felt they should always have each other's back, even if it wasn't mutual. "What can I do for you, Commander?"
I need the file," he said coolly. "What is the evidence you have to issue a warrant for murder a year after the deaths?"
John turned his chair toward his computer and began typing in the password for his credentials. "What's the case number again on the warrant?'
Steve was equally puzzled by that question, "I have to tell you? You don't have it?"
"I told you, I'm not directly involved with this case," John replied, feeling foolish for even saying that, cursing his so called partner once again. "Chris has been working solo on it."
"I thought you said you were partners?"
"We are."
"I'm sorry," Steve huffed, "but are you telling me you work separate cases from your partner?" He thought that was absurd. Every case he worked Danny worked and vise versa, that's just the way it was.
"This is a unique situation." John defended himself now, not thinking of Chris, feeling slightly humiliated knowing he was obviously talking to a veteran officer who thought it odd as well that he wasn't involved. "Chris found some evidence and re-opened the case on his own. We've only been partners for a short time and even though I had offered my help and experience, he declined."
"Wow," he replied, sitting back in his chair. "And by your experience'," he said, "I'm only assuming that you have been on the force longer than him?"
"Yes, fifteen years longer."
"Ok then, so am I safe to say that I am working with a novice detective when he lands?"
"Let's just say that he doesn't work in the same style as I do."
Steve could hear the sarcasm in his voice, beginning to get a clear picture of this partnership. "Maybe you can help me get a heads up on this case then, Detective. I'm going to need the current file and the file from the original case. I'd like to be up to date when I meet with Detective Hairfield so we can go over the facts and there is no miscommunication. Can you make that happen?"
John pulled up his account, "Sure. I'll upload it to the national database right now. You should see it within the hour."
"I appreciate that, Detective Heroshi, thanks for your help."
John was impressed that when he used his last name he had spoken it with the proper Japanese pronunciation. Not hearing it since he had left New York six months before. "I'm just glad to hear that someone from your department is looking in to her case."
That got Steve's attention, "Really? Do you have reservations about this new…evidence?" he emphasized the word evidence as if it were a foul word.
And on the other end of the phone, John's attention was ignited as well. "Commander, can I ask you a question?"
"Sure."
"Do you know Amber Scott personally?"
He was silent, wondering if he had given it away by his harsh tone. "Why would you ask that?"
"It's not because I can hear the anger in your voice over our obvious fault in issuing this warrant, nor is it because I've been a detective for fifteen years and trust my instincts. Those were both added interests, but the one that gave you away Commander is why you would drag yourself into the office first thing Monday morning at five thirty Hawaii time to get information on a warrant unless you had some kind of personal stake in it? Unless of course I'm mistaken, and if so, then I apologize, but I don't think I am."
Steve was silent again, but did have a slight grin on his face over the clever way in which he had been discovered. He was beginning to like this guy.
"You're a good detective," he replied, "but I also sensed some sarcasm in your voice as well, am I wrong to say that you have reservations as well about this warrant and about Christopher Hairfield's professional work and motives for this case?"
John smiled on the other end, "I have to say Commander, if you and I teamed up we might be able to solve the Hoffa disappearance."
Steve laughed over his unexpected sense of humor. "To answer your question, yes, Detective Heroshi, I do know Amber Scott and I also believe strongly in the justice system that I serve now and when I was in the service, and I don't like it when people try to manipulate the law to appease themselves or their own misguided thoughts. Don't you agree?"
John sat back in his chair, "I do agree Commander. And to answer your question, yes, I do have reservations about the warrant, but then again I don't know the backstory, I only know the current one, but I also don't agree with people who use their credentials to help out a friend who may or may not be guilty of murder."
Steve nodded, not able to disagree with him on that, not taking offense to it either, Heroshi didn't know him from Jack. "I agree Detective. Maybe we should both read over the file, old and new and then talk and see where we stand."
"Ok," he agreed, "I don't want to see anyone accused of a false crime," John said, "especially murder."
"And I'm not about to let anyone, and I mean anyone, get away with a crime, especially murder."
John nodded, wishing this guy were his partner and not the one he was stuck with. Chris had better have his I's dotted and his T's crossed, he thought amusingly, because this Commander McGarrett was not playing around. "Do you have a number where I can reach you, Commander?"
Steve gave him his cell number and direct office number, "You can reach me twenty-four seven," he said to him, "and you can call me Steve, Detective Heroshi." He was confident in saying that he liked him.
"Very well, Steve, I'm John."
"Thanks for your help, John. One more thing," his eyes narrowed as that vein began to throb again, "do you know which airline Hairfield is flying?"
….
Danny came in the office earlier than normal carrying two cups of fresh coffee and went straight to Steve's office, he knew he'd already be there and he was right.
"Good morning," he announced coming through the door that was propped open.
"Good morning, Partner," Steve smiled, glad to see him there, feeling a little extra appreciative over the partner he had in Danny after talking with John.
Danny set the cup down on his desk, "So have you closed the case yet?" he grinned, stepping back and taking a seat in the armed leather chair across from his desk.
"I spoke to his partner this morning in Indiana."
"Really? How did that go?"
"Well I got the file from him and I also got the strong impression that there is no friendship beyond the partnership."
"Hmm," Danny replied, "perhaps his partner too tries to get him killed around every turn," he joked.
Steve rolled his eyes, "You'd be bored to death without me."
"Yea probably," Danny grumbled.
"I've been reading over the current police file on Amber," Steve pointed at his laptop and chuckled, "This new eye witness they suddenly found, he's claiming to have seen Amber in the boat with her husband and kids that morning. He's twenty-three years old and has been arrested eight times on various charges from petty theft to drug possession," he huffed.
"Sounds like a set up to me. Is that what you're thinking too?"
"This whole report is a joke. I'm even in it."
"What?!" Danny looked at him surprisingly.
"Yep," he focused back on his laptop and maneuvered the mouse over the file. "And I quote, she met up with an unidentified male on the Pacific Crest Trail and is traveling with him, possible second suspect, Caucasian, between 25 to 45 years of age, six foot, dark hair and medium build." He looked across at Danny as they both busted up laughing.
"Are you serious with that?" Danny pointed at the laptop. "You're making that up."
"You can't make that shit up," Steve laughed. "Medium build?" he joked angrily, raising his right arm and flexing his bicep. "This isn't medium build."
"I'm impressed that someone described you as being potentially 25 years old," Danny teased.
They both laughed again over that.
"Who does this guy think he is?" Danny chuckled. "A comedic Sherlock Holmes?"
"Well we're going to get a chance to find out," Steve grinned. "His partner John said Hairfield is on a plane in this direction as we speak."
"No way?!" Danny laughed again. "He's coming here without an arrest being made yet? This guy means business," he said, meaning it more as a punch line of a joke rather than a threat.
"You do know, with her staying at my house, I've been potentially harboring a fugitive."
"Not potentially," Danny correct him, "you are harboring a fugitive." He raised the next subject a little nervously, knowing it would not go over well. "We need to get her in here, or move her."
Steve sat back in his chair, "Or simply clear her name, which is my intention. We might be able to do it before that little douchebag even lands. I can meet him at the airport, kick his ass for bringing this down on Amber to begin with and then put him on another flight home all before he even gets the chance to breathe the Hawaiian air."
Danny smiled, envisioning that scenario. "Ok, works for me. So what do ya got so far and where do you want me to start?"
"Web cams," Steve said, "find web cams from Amber's old home address all the way to the dock where her husband took the kids. He left early in the morning, six-thirty on a Saturday, so there shouldn't be much traffic."
"Got it."
"What about me, Boss?" Kono asked as she stood at the door to his office.
Steve motioned for her to come in, "Good morning. You're early."
"I knew you two would be here. How's Amber holding up?"
"She's ok. I think the shock of it has settled, and I told her I'd take care of it, which I plan to do."
Kono smiled brightly, "Oh I'm sure of that. What do you need from me today?"
"I need you and Chin to hold down the fort while Danny and I are busy getting this thing settled. But can you also check a flight manifest for me?"
"You mean for the douchebag?" she chuckled, hearing part of the conversation as she walked up. "Sure, does he have a name that he goes by or does everyone just assume he goes by Mr. Douchebag because he is one?"
Danny and Steve looked at each other and laughed.
"Well, if they don't have him listed as Mr. Douchebag, then you should try for Detective Christopher Hairfield. Let me know what time his flight lands."
"I'm on it." She got up and started for the door. "Chin's on his way. He stopped for gas." As she came out she stopped, seeing Amber coming through the glass doors into the offices. "Hey," she said, leaning back into Steve's office. "Amber's here."
"What?!" He got up from behind his desk and met up with her as she was slowly walking down the corridor towards him, admiring each office as she did.
"Hi, I like your offices. Very nice."
"Thank you," he replied perplexed, looking at her oddly as she stood before him, "What are you doing here?"
"After you left this morning I started thinking. Since there is a warrant out for my arrest and I'm staying at your house, and you know that there is a warrant out for me, you are breaking the law by allowing me to stay there, or knowing my whereabouts without arresting me. So…I'm here to turn myself in."
"You don't have to do that."
"Yes I do. I'm not going to do anything to jeopardize your career or you in general. So lets just do what we have to."
He loved her for the fact that she was doing it for him, but the vision of her being in a jail cell made him cringe, but more than that, the idea of Hairfield having any kind of access to her wasn't going to happen, not if he had anything to do with it.
"Hey," Danny jumped in, "this may not be a bad idea."
Steve looked at him like he was crazy, "Of course it is! I don't want Hairfield having any kind of contact to her when he lands."
"What do you mean when he lands?" Amber asked, her face quickly turning to a deep concern.
Steve saw it too, the one thing he wanted to avoid. "I talked to his partner this morning in Indiana, he's on a flight here right now."
"What?!" Amber stepped back as the fear turned to panic. "Steve," she whimpered, "I don't want to see him!"
"You won't," he assured her, hating the look of terror that sprung to life in her eyes, on her face. "I won't allow it."
"If he's coming here then he wants to take me back. You don't know him. He's a dangerous man!" It was as if Kevin himself was on that flight.
Danny couldn't help but step in, moving in front of Steve, "Amber, you don't have to be afraid. We've seen the report and we've seen the new evidence that he says he has and it's bullshit. We already have several strategies to clear your name. It'll happen quickly."
"He's just very…" she began nervously when Danny cut her off.
"He's nothing. You think he's dangerous?" Danny chuckled, pointing with his thumb over his shoulder at Steve, "This is dangerous. This guy Hairfield, he has no idea what he's in for."
Kono let out a loud laugh over that. "He's got that right. The boss is going to clean the floor with him."
"Hey you guys," Steve jumped in, "you're going to scare her away from me too." He smiled and winked at her.
Just as before, she felt the fear slide away, knowing she had a barrier of protection around her, led by Steve. "Ok," she agreed a little more calmly, "thank you," she looked over at Kono, "thank you all, but I still don't want to give him any leverage, so I still want to turn myself in."
"I think that's a smart idea," Danny said, he looked at Steve with a playful grin, "Book her McGarrett."
"No way," Steve pointed at him, "don't even try to use my line!"
"I'm going to get moving on that flight manifest," Kono announced, making her way to her office.
"And I'm going to check out the webcams," Danny said.
"Don't you need to fingerprint me?" Amber asked.
"No, but I might frisk you," Steve grinned, moving out of her way so she could enter his office.
She bashfully rolled her eyes at him as she went inside.
She looked around at the masculine yet also tastefully decorated space. "This is your office?" she said as if impressed.
"Yes. Do you like it?"
"I do. It's very comfortable and inviting," she looked over her shoulder at him. "It reminds me of your house."
He didn't go around to his chair behind his desk as he normally would; instead he took a seat on the leather couch. "I'm not going to arrest you."
"I want to go by the book so Chris can't accuse you of any wrong doing."
"I was recruited to work directly for the Governor of Hawaii, Amber, and with it comes unique…privileges if you will. I can protect you far greater than you know, and I will."
She looked at him for a long time, seeing the bearded man on the trail with her and the man now sitting on the couch in the impressive office with the equally impressive job. They really weren't as far apart as she had once thought, mindful of the many times she had thought how easy life would be with him. He was proving that to her now, even in her time of crisis. He was unwavering in his pursuit to keep her safe. She felt truly blessed to have him in her life.
For the first time her vision of life with him went beyond just co-parenting. She wanted more. She wanted marriage again and more than just this one child with him. The guilt and fear were lifted, knowing she could truly trust him.
She was in love with him, it wasn't a question anymore; it was the simple truth. But could he ever feel the same about her? The night before had been extremely difficult for him, and she was glad she was there to help him through it, but it wasn't her name he had said in the dark as he awoke, wondering if she could ever live up to the woman that he had lost.
He misinterpreted the expression that overcame her as a sign of fear over her dilemma and not of a potential broken heart. He came off the couch and stood before her, putting a hand on her face as a form of comfort. "This will all go away, Amber. I promise." It was breaking his heart that she felt what she did, and awoken the anger in his gut for the man that was the cause of it.
"I know you will keep me safe, but why?" she asked boldly. "Is it because of me, or is it because of the baby?"
He removed his hand, knowing precisely what she was asking, but took the easy road, not prepared to answer that question to the degree that she was asking. "For you both."
She looked at him; knowing first hand how short life could be, needing him to know how she felt incase they walked out that door and never saw each other again.
"I love you," she said honestly and then quickly let him off the hook. "Don't say anything. Not now. And if you never do, that's ok too. I lived with a man for twelve years who said he loved me and then destroyed my life. I've lived with you for seven months and have never felt safer or more loved. So the words aren't as important to me as the way you make me feel."
He wanted to say it, but it just wouldn't come, not after the night before, he wasn't ready, at least not today.
"You are easy to please, Amber Scott," he confessed sincerely, thanking her with a kiss on the cheek for not rushing him, but for loving him all the same.
She smiled, feeling the tenderness of it all the way down to her toes.
"Hey," Kono said, leaning into his office. "He landed about an hour ago."
Steve gave her a slight toss of his head, acknowledging the information. He focused back on Amber. "I want you to go home."
"Steve, I still feel the need to…."
"I know," he cut her off. "Your objective of turning yourself in has been noted, so now I'm confining you to house arrest, at my residence."
Amber sighed, giving up the argument, "Ok, fine. I'll go home."
"It was pretty brave of you to come down here and turn yourself in to protect me. That too has been noted," he smiled, "as well as the reason for it," he said of her heartfelt confession, "that is greatly appreciated." He hung his head, feeling bad once again for saying Catherine's name. "About last night, Amber, what I said."
"You have a big heart, Steve. I think a lot bigger than what you want most people to see, but I see it. You're a good man. You would never do anything to purposely hurt me, I know it."
It was true. He let the matter go, thankful that she had too, "C'mon, I'll walk you to your car."
She stopped on her way out, mindful to thank Danny and Kono for their help.
As they came down the wide marble stairs of the main police station Amber stopped halfway down, "Steve, you don't have to walk me out. You have more important things to do."
"Ok, call me if you need anything. I don't know what time I'll be home."
"I'll have something ready for you no matter time it is."
He liked the sound of that, attributing her effort because of what she had confessed earlier, loving the benefits from it already. "This mess will all be over by the end of the day," he assured her.
Amber nodded her understanding, "Ok. Be safe," she said as she continued on down the stairs and toward the doors.
Steve watched her until she was out of sight. He went to turn and go back up but came down the rest of the steps instead, stopping at the main counter.
"Hey, Duke," he called out to the older man in uniform that was a veteran of more than thirty years.
"Hi, Steve." He made his way over to him, "What can I do for you, Commander?"
"Can you let me know if a cop from Indiana comes in asking questions about a murder warrant? His name is Christopher Hairfield."
Duke started to write down the information and then looked up at him, "Officer Hairfield? He's already here. Checked in about ten minutes ago."
Steve quickly shifted his body, looking around the room at all the familiar faces trying pinpoint the man that he was anxious to meet, feeling that vein in his temple begin to pulsate.
"Where is he?" he asked accusingly.
Duke pointed to the other side of the room, "I saw him walking outside a couple of minutes ago."
Steve felt his heart skip as he ran toward the door where Amber had just exited from as well.
Amber came out the glass doors to the parking lot, holding it open for an officer on his way in.
"Mahalo," he replied with a pleasant smile.
Amber returned the gesture, "You're welcome." She made a mental note to ask Steve what the Hawaiian term was for 'you're welcome'.
She loved living here and wanted to know more about the Hawaiian culture and the language of the people. She wanted to explore the island more too. Steve liked hiking and kayaking and was a surfer too. She'd never seen him do it, but saw the surf boards in the garage. She smiled as she walked to her car, feeling a wave of love wash over her, picturing him on the beach with a toddler on his shoulders, knowing what wonderful father he was going to be.
She went to reach in her purse that was over her shoulder when she was suddenly pushed forward into the side of her car. Her purse fell to the ground and she gasped from the pain as her stomach hit the rearview mirror.
She barely had time to react to the attack before Chris abruptly turned her around and shoved her again up against the car with his forearm under her neck.
"You thought you were going to get away with it, didn't you?" he said in low threatening voice.
She couldn't speak from the pressure on her throat and the fear that was engulfing her.
He couldn't believe when he saw her walking out the doors of the police station, it was as if fate had put her in his hands.
"You made his life hell," he growled. "You may not have had your hand on the gun, but you were the one that forced his hand to point it and pull that trigger. I'm going to make sure you spend the rest of your life in jail for what you did to him."
Amber shook her head, not understanding where all the hate was coming from.
He saw the fear, pleased over it, and then her eyes suddenly grew wide and she screamed out.
She didn't scream from fear of Chris, but from the rage on Steve's face as he rushed towards them.
Every visible shred of his body, all the way down to his clenched fists told her he was going to kill Chris right there in front of her, she was sure of it.
