It took every bit of control for Abbey to maintain a calm demeanor and the lie.
"Ellie? She was in town while Millie was here."
"She came back early and stood outside the kitchen door. She accidentally overheard your conversation. When she confronted you, she said that you admitted that you had done it. She came to talk with me this morning and I called Chief Wilkins over."
Bill leaned over, took her hands, and looked in her eyes.
"Tell me the truth, Abbey. The police can exhume the body if we need to, but I know you don't want that to happen. Let Jed rest in peace. Just tell me the truth."
Abbey's eyes darted from their attorney to the Chief of Police, waiting for her answer.
"I need to speak with my attorney alone, Chief. If you would please wait outside, I would appreciate it."
"Yes, ma'am." The Chief got up and let the screen door slam behind him.
Abbey turned her attention to Bill. "Yes, I did it. He was just in so much pain. He was so restless all that day and all that night. I let my heart rule my head."
Tears were now falling, remembering her exhaustion and her fragile emotional state that night.
"What's going to happen, Bill? I did it for Jed. I did it for him."
"Abbey, I understand that. But the law doesn't allow for compassion killing. It wasn't physician assisted suicide. You're not a physician right now. But New Hampshire doesn't even sanction that at this time. That leaves only one charge, murder. And a smart DA will cry premeditated, that you did it with deliberate intent."
Abbey continued to look into the eyes of a friend. "What's going to happen to me? Will I be arrested? I don't know how much more distress this family can stand."
"I don't know, Abbey. It will be up to the District Attorney to decide what to do. But I do know you need a criminal lawyer. A good one that has handled similar cases. I have the name of one in Concord. I'll be glad to contact her if you wish. But Abbey, you need somebody right now. You will need to make a statement to the DA and then he'll decide what to do. But it's very likely he'll have no choice to seek an indictment. The law is the law."
"Well I guess you had better call this friend of yours. And set up a meeting with the DA." Abbey stood. "Bill, it was the right thing to do."
"I know Abbey, but you broke the law."
Ignoring Bill's last statement, Abbey had something else on her mind. "Where's Ellie now?"
"She's still with Liz in town. You know that she's very upset. Angry at you for, as she puts it, 'killing her father'. Abbey, talk to her. She needs to hear you forgive her."
"Who said I would?"