'It's impossible to say. Unless something turns up he'll go to trial.
He might get off or he might not. A high-powered lawyer could drag things out for a long time.'
'But it's possible he'll be convicted?'
I hesitated,then nodded.
'And go to prison?'
'It's possible.'
'God.'
She picked up her mug and stared down into it, then raised her eyes to meet mine.'Should I get us more coffee, Matthew?'
'No more for me.'
'Should I have some more?Should I have another drink?'
'If it's what you need.'
She thought about it. 'It's not what I need,' she decided. 'Do you know what I need?'
I didn't say anything.
'I need you to come over here and sit next to me. I need to be held.'
I sat on the couch beside her and she came into my arms eagerly like a small animal seeking warmth.
Her face was very soft against mine, her breath warm and sweet.
When my mouth found hers she stiffened for a moment. Then, as if realizing that her decision had long since been reached, she relaxed in my arms and returned the kiss.
At one point she said, 'Let's just make everything go away.
Everything.' And then she did not have to say anything after that, and neither did I.
A little later we were sitting as before, she on the couch, I on my chair. She was sippingunspiked coffee, and I had a glass of straight bourbon that I'd finished a little more than half of. We were talking quietly and we stopped our conversation when footsteps sounded on the stairs. A girl about ten years old entered the room. She looked like her mother.
She said, 'Mommy, me and Jennifer want to- '
'Jennifer and I.'
The child sighed theatrically. 'Mommy, Jennifer and I want to watch Fantastic Voyage and Eric is being a pig and wants to watch The Flintstones and me and Jennifer I mean Jennifer and I hate The Flintstones.'
'Don't call Eric a pig.'
'I didn't call Eric a pig. I just said he was being a pig.'
'I suppose there's a difference. You and Jennifer can watch your program in my room. Is that what you wanted?'
'Why doesn't Eric watch in your room? After all, Mommy, he's watching our set in our room.'
'I don't want Eric alone in my room.'
'Well, me and Jennifer don't want him alone in our room, Mommy, and- '
'Sara- '
'Okay. We'll watch in your room.'
'Sara, this is Mr. Scudder.'
'Hello, Mr. Scudder. Can I go now, Mommy?'
'Go ahead.'
When the child had disappeared up the staircase, her mother let out a long, low-pitched whistle. 'I don't know what on earthis the matter with me ,' she said. 'I've never done anything like that before. I don't mean I've been a saint. I was … last year there was someone I was involved with.But in my own house, God, and with my children at home. Sara could have walked right in on us. I'd never have heard her.'
She smiled suddenly. 'I wouldn't have heard World War Three. You're a sweet man, Matthew. I don't know how this happened, but I am not going to make excuses for it. I'm glad it happened.'
'So am I.'
'Do you know that you still haven't spoken my name? All you've called me is Mrs.Broadfield .'
I'd said her name once aloud and many times silently. But I said it again now. 'Diana.'
'That's much better.'
'Diana, goddess of the moon.'
'And of the hunt.'
'Of the hunt, too?I just knew about the moon.'
'I wonder if it will be out tonight.The moon. It's getting dark already, isn't it? I can't believe it. Where did the summer go? It was just spring the other day and now it's October. In a couple of weeks my three wild Indians will
