Judge Fredrickson peered down at Cal. He wore a deep frown. His white hair stood out from his head like a curly halo. Simon, the lawyer Harry rounded up for him, shuffled papers around on the defense table. They were mostly blank. He'd never tried a case before, and he wanted to look busy. Cal's face was stony, his dark eyes cold. Despite Harry's claims, he doubted any effort had been made to contact his lawyers. He hadn't been allowed to make a single phone call.
"These are very serious charges," Fredrickson said. "Do you understand everything you'd been accused of?"
"Your Honor, my client understands," Simon said, leaping to his feet. "And it is our intention to plead not guilty."
"We're only here to determine if there's enough evidence to take this matter further," Fredrickson said. "And I must say, I believe there is."
"But your Honor-"
"You'll get your chance, Simon," Fredrickson said, motioning for him to sit down. "I'm reluctant to bring the two young women into court, but unfortunately, I'll have to. I understand your positon, Mr. Nylund, but it can't be avoided."
Charlie Nylund, the county prosecutor, nodded. "I understand, your Honor."
Jack, Fabrizo, and Tom watched from the back of the room. All three wore grim expressions. It had taken a great deal of convincing to get Jack there. Rose finally persuaded him, arguing he should go for her sake. "Face him," she said. "I can't. I'm stuck here in bed, but you can go and show him we're not afraid." She was lying, and Jack knew it. She was still deeply afraid. So he went.
"I'm setting trial for one month from now," Fredrickson said. He banged his gavel. "Court adjourned."
The three of them remained motionless as Cal was led past, his hands cuffed in front of him. Harry held his arm. Simon trailed behind. Cal glared at them all, but he leaned toward
Jack, as if he wanted to speak. Jack stared at him, unmoved.
"Well, that wasn't so bad," Tom said.
"The girls'll have to talk about what happened," Fabrizo said. "In front of everyone." He shook his head.
"We should've expected that," Tom said.
"Let's get back to the house," Jack said.
…..
As they walked, Fabrizo said, "I don't know if this is the right time, or if there is one now, but there's something I should tell you."
"What is it?" Jack asked.
Fabrizo's gaze was on Tom, who gave a slight tilt of his head, as if he knew what was coming. "I've asked Lucia to marry me," Fabrizo said.
"You did?" Jack said. He smiled. "Really?"
"What did she say?" Tom asked.
"She said yes," Fabrizo replied. "I didn't plan it. We were talking about the future, about visiting Sicily together, and it just happened."
"Well, I'm glad she's finally found someone," Tom said, clapping Fabrizo on the back.
"Do you mean that?" Fabrizo said. "We have your blessing?"
"Yes, I mean it," Tom said. "And you do. 'Course you should probably get married before our father gets back from Boston." Seeing Fabrizo's stricken look, he added, "I'm joking. Dad'll be just as pleased as I am."
"I should've spoken to him first," Fabrizo said. "Or you. I wasn't thinking."
"It's fine," Tom assured him. 'While he's gone, I'm in charge. Besides, I suspect Lucy wouldn't listen if she didn't like my response." He chuckled.
"When do you plan on having the wedding?" Jack asked.
"We haven't gotten that far yet," Fabrizo said. "Soon, I hope, but I don't know if anything can happen with all this going on."
"Why can't it?" Tom said. "There's no reason for us to stop living. Lucy's getting better, and the trail's a month away. We should wait for Rose to get better too," he added.
…
"How'd it go?" Adam asked, when they came in.
"Trail's in a month," Tom replied.
"Really? That soon?" Billy said.
"If they wait too long he'll get out of it," Jack said. "If he gets his lawyers here, he still might."
"You shouldn't talk that way," Tom said.
"I know," Jack said. "I wanna be confident things'll turn out right. I'm just worried he'll wiggle free, and only the girls will be punished for what he did."
"Well, if the law won't help-" Adam began. A shotgun lay on the table, with a cleaning cloth next to it. He licked it shut. "We could help ourselves."
"I don't want to hear that kind of talk either," Tom said firmly. "We can't take the ourselves out of the law, no matter what."
"You gotta admit, you'd like to," Jack said.
"Maybe I would," Tom said. "But we can't, and we won't. We're better than that."
"I know," Jack said. "It's just hard." He sighed. "Let's talk about something else. How're the girls?"
"Rose's asleep, and Lucy's ready to get out of bed," Billy said. "Though the Doc told her one more day."
"And he was wrong," Lucy said from the doorway. She was dressed, but her hair was loose, and she wore only thick socks on her feet. "I'm going crazy up there."
Fabrizo smiled. "You look much better," he said.
"Thank you. At least someone agrees with me," she said. "What are we talking about?" She turned to Fabrizo. "Did you tell them yet?"
"Tell us what?" Billy said.
"I told Tom and Jack," Fabrizo said.
Lucy looked at Tom. "And?" she said expectantly.
"And you have my blessing," Tom said.
"For what?" Adam asked.
Fabrizo took Lucy's hand. They exchanged grins. "Fabrizo's asked me to marry him," she announced. "And I accepted."
"What?" Billy said.
"Really?" Adam said.
"Don't tell me you don't approve," Lucy said.
"Would it stop you?" Billy asked jokingly.
"I doubt it," she said. "But I'd hate to think you didn't."
"We couldn't be happier for you," Adam said. "Really. We were just talking about this. At least something good's happening."
"I'm so glad to hear you say that," Lucy said.
"So am I," Fabrizo added. "I love Lucia, and knowing I have her family's approval matters a lot."
Lucy beamed up at him. "It seems wrong to be this happy now."
"No, it's not," Jack said. "You should be happy. You deserve it."
"Thank you, Jack," she said.
Their eyes met, and a silent exchange passed between them. The last remnants of their former relationship finally swept away for good.
…..
"How're you feeling?" Jack asked.
Rose was sitting up, her back against the pillows. "I feel rested," she said.
"Good." He kissed her palm.
"What happened today?"
"They're gonna try him," he said. "His lawyers aren't here. I think Harry has something to do with that."
"Do you think we'll win?"
"I hope so," Jack said. "Let's not talk about this now. I've got good news."
"What?"
"Fabrizo and Lucy are getting married."
"Are they really?" Rose said. "How wonderful!"
"He asked her a few days ago."
"How did her brothers take it?" she asked.
"Really well, actually. They seem happy about it."
"I hope everything works out for them," she said.
"I'm sure they'll be as happy as us," Jack said.
"Jack, when this is all over, what will we do?"
"I've been thinking about that," he said.
"Do you want to stay here?"
"We might not be able to," he said. "Once this gets out, people might not be so friendly."
"It's so absurd," Rose said. "We didn't do anything."
"I know." He squeezed her hand. "We can take that trip we talked about. Get married in Paris."
"I'd like that." Rose paused. "Jack, I want to divorce him. Now."
"Alright. When you're well enough, we'll go talk to a lawyer, just like we planned.'
"I wish it were over already," she said.
"So do I. But they can't refuse to grant you a divorce now," Jack said. "Not after what he did."
"What if they can?" There was anxiety in her eyes. "He doesn't have to be three. His lawyers could stop it."
"His lawyers are gonna be too busy trying to get him out of jail," he said confidently. "They won't have time to worry about this." He gave her hand another squeeze. "It's past lunch time. Are you hungry?"
"Yes."
"Then I'll bring you something," he said.
"I wish I could eat downstairs." Her words were punctuated by a short, painful cough. She pitched forward, handkerchief to her mouth. Jack rubbed her back. "Keep coughing," he said. "That's the way to get better."
Rose wiped her eyes. "It's like ripping something out of my throat," she said. "I keep expecting to see blood."
Her word alarmed Jack more than he let on. "That won't happen," he said. "You're a lot better now, Rose. Another week, and you'll be fine."
She was recovering well, more quickly than he expected, but he knew the severity of her illness. If they weren't careful, it could get much worse.
"I'll bring you some lunch, and you can take your medicine," Jack said.
"I suppose I have to take a nap afterwards."
"If you feel tired," he said.
"I don't." She sighed. "I feel like getting up. Are you sure I can't?"
"I'm sure, Rose. Trust me. Please?"
…..
"I want to speak to my lawyer!" Cal ordered. He stood at the edge of his cell, face pressed against the bars. "I demand a phone call!"
"You'll get one as soon as I can arrange it," Harry said.
"Now!"
"Pitching a fit won't help your situation," Harry said. "The closest phone's down the street. I can't just take a prisoner over there in the middle of the day, people everywhere. It wouldn't be right."
"I am not a prisoner."
"That's where you're wrong," Harry said. "For the time being, you're a prisoner. You're to be held here, in jail, until trial."
"This is absurd," Cal said, his eyes flashing. "You have to right to keep me here."
"Legally, we do. You've committed some very serious crimes. It's our job to see justice is done."
"Justice?" Cal spat. "What about my justice?"
"Seems to me you've already gotten that on your own. It's why you're here."
Cal glared at him. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said. "I came for my wife."
"Oh, we know that. Dead or alive, right?"
"I never touched her," Cal said.
"Then who did?" Harry asked.
"Maybe it was her lover."
"Uh-huh. And Jack chased her and Lucy into the woods too?" Harry said. "You just happened to be caught standing over them, your gun in Rose's hand?"
"I came here to take her home."
"Doesn't look like she wanted to go," Harry said. "Why is that? Why would a woman choose to live with Jack when she could be living in ease and luxury? He's a nice guy, but it seems like an easy choice. That's what I'm having trouble with. What made her go off with him? You know what I think," Harry went on. "I think you know why. I think you had something to do with it."
"You'll never prove that."
"Maybe not. Jack doesn't think we will," Harry agreed. "He was such an optimist when I knew him, always sure things would work out. Maybe he knows something I don't. Maybe she's told him things."
"My wife has a very active imagination," Cal said. "It's a problem."
"I'm sure it is." Harry looked into his eyes. "I don't know or particularly care who you are," he said quietly. "You might scare some people, and you might be a real tough fella where you're from, but not here, you understand? I aim to see the law upheld."
"How noble," Cal sneered.
….
Rose searched the bed for a clean handkerchief, but all she found were old ones Jack missed when he cleaned the room. She groped for the oil lamp on the bedside table and turned it up higher. It amazed her how one quick turn of the knob could take the room from semi-darkness to fully lit. All her life she'd used gas and electric lights. Candles were for decorative purposes only. Oil lamps were something she only read about in books.
The lunch dishes had been taken away. She saw medicine bottles and a spoon, but that was all. She gripped the edge of the table as another coughing fit seized her. Rose didn't remember falling asleep. She blinked, and suddenly she was alone, gasping for breath.
She felt something break loose in her chest. There was a final cough, and it was in her mouth. She looked around for a place to spit. She couldn't bring herself to use the floor. Rose hurried over to the window and stuck her head out.
The blast of air was so cold she couldn't feel it at fist. She gulped it down, momentarily soothed by it. The night was pitch black. Finally, shivering, Rose closed the window.
Her stomach rumbled. Lunch felt like a distant memory. Where was Jack? He must have left while she was asleep. For a moment, Rose was angry at waking up alone. He should be there. "No, that's not fair," she told herself. "He's done enough."
Lady watched her from the bed, chin resting on her paws. "Shall we go downstairs?" Rose said. Lady lifted her head. "Come with me?" Rose said, scratching the dog's ears. Her tail wagged. Rose smiled. "Come on them."
Lady's nails clicked on the wood floor, but Rose's steps were silent. They moved down the hall. For the first time, Rose saw the house clearly. It was about as old as theirs and well-taken care of.
The kitchen door was ajar. She saw a sliver of light; voices carried through.
"I thought she was getting better?" Fabrizo said.
"She is," Jack said. "For now."
"What's that mean?"
"I'm worried," Jack answered. "Her coughing. It doesn't sound good. It reminds me of the time I had pneumonia as a kid."
"You think it'll get that bad?"
"I don't know," Jack said. "God, I hope not."
"Rosa will be fine," Fabrizo said reassuringly. "She's a strong girl."
Jack smiled. "She is, isn't she? Maybe I'm underestimating her."
"You are."
"What about you and Lucy?" Jack asked. "Still set on getting married here?"
Fabrizo nodded. "As soon as we can. I'd like to do it in Italy, but neither of us wants to wait that long, and this way, her family can be there too."
"What about yours?"
Fabrizo shrugged. "Mine probably doesn't want to see me," he said. "If I show up unmarried, they'll probably insist I marry someone else they've picked out."
"You're never going to see them again?"
"I will," Fabrizo said. "I miss them. But if Lucia is my wife, they'll treat her better. Otherwise, she'll just be some American girl I've brought with me. They'll question her. You know. You remember what Sicily was like," he added.
"Yeah, I do. Strict place."
Fabrizo laughed. "The strictest."
It was at that moment Lady grew tired of waiting. She padded into the kitchen. "What are you doing down here, girl?" Jack said. He bent down to pet her. "Why aren't you upstairs with Rose?" At the mention of Rose's name she turned, looking for her. She let out a curious bark.
"What is it?" Fabrizo said.
Rose stepped forward. "It's only me."
"Rose." There was a hint of reproach in Jack's voice. "What are you doing up?"
"I woke up. I was hungry," she explained. "You weren't there, so I thought I'd come down and look for some dinner."
"You shouldn't be out of bed," Jack said.
"I feel alright." As if to prove her wrong, a wave of coughing hit as soon as the words were out. Rose held her hands over her mouth. Her body shook.
"Here," Jack said, offering her a clean handkerchief. He put an arm around her shoulders.
"Thank you."
"You shouldn't be up," he said.
"Jack, I'm so tired of being in bed," Rose said.
"He's right, Rosa," Fabrizo said.
"You too?" Rose said wearily.
"We only want you to get well," Fabrizo said.
"I know," Rose said. She coughed again.
Jack touched her face. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes glassy. A fine layer of perspiration covered her skin. "Are you cold?" he asked.
"No," Rose answered. "I'm quite warm, actually."
He pressed his wrist to her cheek. "You feel warm," he said. "Almost hot."
"I don't feel feverish," she insisted. "Really, Jack, I don't feel unwell. No more than…." She leaned against him, trailing off.
"Let's get you back to bed," Jack suggested. He scooped her up in his arms.
"You need anything?" Fabrizo asked.
'Would you bring up some water and the thermometer?"
"Sure," Fabrizo replied.
"Jack, I'm fine," Rose said.
"You're gonna be," Jack said.
….
Her temperature was 101. Jack sat next to her bed for the rest of the night. He placed damp clothes on her neck and forehead, dunking them in a bowl of water to keep them fresh. Rose slept fitfully. A few times she woke herself up coughing. Jack checked for blood each time. By dawn, her temperature hovered at 99, and she slept soundly. Jack watched, alert for any changes.
