Mrs. Pennington said.
“In public. I won’t permit it.”
“We’re a long way past propriety here, Margaret. It’s Candace’s
decision.”
“She’s not old enough to decide something like this,” Mrs.
Pennington said.
“I’ll give a statement,” Candace
said. “And I’ll testify if I
have to.”
“Candace …”
“Good,” Jesse said. “Is there
someplace you can go and give
Molly your statement?”
“They can use the kitchen,” Pennington said.
As she followed Candace from the room, Molly smiled at Jesse, and, shielding the gesture with her body, gave him a thumbs-up.
Everyone was quiet for a moment. Jesse looked through the big window at the brisk gray ocean.
“Kids like Candace,” Jesse said, still looking at the ocean,
“often need some therapy after an experience like this one.”
“You mean from a psychiatrist?” Mrs.
Pennington
said.
“Yes,” Jesse said. “If you need
a referral I can get one for
you.”
Mrs. Pennington looked at her husband.
“We’ll see,” he said.
“Thanks for the offer.”
“As far as the case goes,” Resnick said, after a moment, “a plea
bargain would certainly seem possible.”
“Be up to the defense lawyers and the DA,”
Jesse
said.
“But you agree that it could happen?” Mrs.
Pennington
said.
“It often does,” Jesse said.
38
“We had sex an hour before she
died,” Jesse
said.
Dix nodded.
“I’m sad,” Jesse said.
“And I’m insulted.”
Dix tilted his head slightly.
“I’m the chief of police and I’m
trying to catch these bastards
and they shoot a woman I just made love to.”
“You think it was intentional?” Dix said.
“I don’t know,” Jesse said.
“But it makes me
mad.”
