waitress’s palm. She left quickly and never reappeared.
Gallegos had been edgy since we’d shown up, and Milo tried to put her at ease with chitchat about her job. The outfit she worked for was called Comprehensive Rehab and specialized in stroke victims. Her job was to help patients regain fine motor skills. She found the challenge satisfying.
Milo said, “Sounds like it would be.”
Gallegos fumbled with her teacup and avoided our eyes.
“Let’s talk about Gavin Quick,” said Milo. “Have you heard what happened to him?”
“Yes. I read it in the paper. It was horrible. I cried.” She had a slightly nasal, little-girl voice and narrow hands with smooth fingers. A diamond chip ring banded the third finger of her left hand.
More than a boyfriend.
“You cried,” said Milo.
“I did. I felt terrible. Despite what Gavin put me through. Because I
Milo blinked.
“Closed head injury,” I said.
Beth Gallegos nodded and spooned sugar into her tea but didn’t drink. “CHIs are weird that way. Sometimes nothing shows up on scans, but people change drastically. I’m sure Gavin wouldn’t have done those things if he hadn’t been injured.”
“You’ve had other brain-damaged stalkers?” said Milo.
Gallegos’s hand flew to her mouth. “No, God forbid I should ever go through that more than once. I’m just saying the brain controls everything, and when it’s compromised, you get problems. That’s why I did everything I could to avoid making it a criminal situation for Gavin.” Her eyes got wet.
“The way I see it, ma’am, he left you no choice.”
“That’s what everyone told me.”
“Who’s everyone?”
“My family.”
“Your family local?”
“No,” she said. “My parents live in Germany. My father’s a captain in the Army. At first, I didn’t tell them what was going on because I knew how my dad would react.”
“How’s that?”
“For sure he’d have gotten himself a leave, flown right over, and had a stern talk with Gavin. Once he did find out, I had a hard time convincing him not to do exactly that. That’s part of what led me to file charges. I had to assure Dad I was taking care of myself. But I had to do it, no matter what. It was just getting too intense, and Gavin obviously needed help.”
“You never told your family, but they found out.”
“My sister told them. She lives in Tucson and I confided in her and made her promise not to tell.” She smiled. “Of course, she didn’t listen to me. Which I understand, I’m not mad. We’re close, she had my best interests at heart.”
“Anyone else tell you to file charges?”
“What do you mean?”
Milo looked at her ring.
Beth Gallegos said, “He wasn’t my fiance, then. Actually, we started dating right before I filed charges.”
Milo tried to put warmth in his smile. “What’s the lucky young man’s name?”
“Anson Conniff.”
“When’s the big day?”
“Fall.” Gallegos’s dark eyes picked up some wattage. “Lieutenant, why all these questions about me and my family?”
“I need to tie up loose ends.”
“Loose ends? Lieutenant, please don’t get me involved. I really can’t go through it again- please.”
Raising her voice. The coffee shop was nearly empty, but the few patrons present turned to stare. Milo glared at them until they turned away.
“Go through what, ma’am?”
Gallegos whimpered and wiped her eyes. “Legal stuff, the courts- I never want to see an affidavit again. Please keep me out of it.”
“I’m not out to cause you grief, Ms. Gallegos, but I do need to talk to anyone Gavin had conflict with.”
Gallegos shook her head. “There was no conflict. I never yelled at Gavin, never complained. It’s just that the problem got out of hand. He needed to deal with it.”
“Did he stop?” I said.
“Yes.”
“Completely?”
“Completely.”
Her eyes danced to one side. I said, “You never heard from him again?”
She picked at her napkin, shredded the corners, created a small pile of confetti that she collected and placed on her saucer.
“It was basically over,” she said. “It was over.” Her voice shook.
Milo said, “Beth, you’re obviously a good person. That means you’re also a very poor liar.”
Gallegos glanced at the coffee shop door, as if plotting her escape.
Milo said, “What happened?”
“It was just once,” she said. “A month ago. Not really a problem call, a nothing call, that’s why I never told anyone.”
“Where’d he find you?”
“Here. At the office. I was between patients, and the secretary handed me the phone. He told her he was a friend. She has no idea about my… history with Gavin. When I heard his voice I… it made my heart pound, and I broke into a sweat. But he was… okay. Nothing weird. He said he was sorry for what he’d done, wanted to apologize. Then he told me he’d met someone and was getting his life together, and he hoped I’d forgive him. I said I already had, and that was that.”
“You figure he was telling the truth?” said Milo. “About meeting someone.”
“He sounded sincere,” she said. “I told him congratulations, I was happy for him.” She exhaled. “He sounded more… mature. Settled.”
“Did he tell you about the person he’d met?”
“No. He sounded happy.”
“He’s happy, he doesn’t bug you.”
“That, too,” she said, “but at the time what I thought was, ‘Gavin’s finally getting it together.’ ” She touched the handle of her teacup, swirled the bag. “I never disliked him, Lieutenant. All I ever felt for him was pity. And fear, when things got really intense. But I was happy things were working out for him.”
I said, “Anson’s probably happy, too.”
“I didn’t tell Anson about the call.”
“Too upsetting.”
“He’s been through enough with me,” she said. “We just started dating when the stalking began. It’s not a great way to start a relationship.”
Milo said, “Anson must’ve been pretty upset.”
“Wouldn’t anyone be?” Gallegos’s eyes got clearer. “You’re not going to talk to him, are you?”
“We are, Beth.”
“Why?”
“Like I said, anyone who had conflict with Gavin.”
“Anson didn’t have conflict- please, don’t go there- don’t draw Anson into this. He’d never hurt Gavin, or anyone else. He’s not like that.”
“Easygoing?” said Milo.
“Mature. Disciplined. Anson knows how to control himself.”
