That's what's wrong . . . ' She was exasperating. He held on to his
patience and asked, 'Why doesn't it? ' 'Because she couldn't have
given you details. I promised I would keep silent. . . . I gave my
word . . . but that was before . . . and now . . . ' 'Grace, what
are you trying to tell me? ' 'Rebecca isn't the witness. Jessica
is.
' Xaniel was white with anger. 'Do you realize what you're saying? I
swear to God, if you're lying now . . . ' 'I'm telling you the truth,
' she insisted. 'Jessica was in the bank during the robbery, not
Rebecca.' He was pacing about the room like a caged animal. He kept
telling himself that shouting at Grace wouldn't accomplish anything,
but the urge was nearly overwhelming. He took a deep breath and then
asked in a chillingly soft voice, 'Why didn't you tell me the truth
before? Why in God's name did you wait so long? ' 'I promised Jessica
I wouldn't tell anyone. I gave her my word.'
'Dear God, ' he muttered. He threaded his fingers through his hair and
sat down.
'Try to understand, ' she pleaded. 'Jessica was terrified.'
'Does Rebecca know that Jessica is the witness? ' 'No, she doesn't.'
'Are you sure? ' 'Yes.' She turned away then so that she wouldn't
have to look at the fury etched on his face. She had never seen him
this angry before, and it frightened her.
'Now do you understand why I was so bewildered when you told me Rebecca
gave you specific details? ' 'Ah, Grace, ' he whispered as he tried to
control his anger.
'Danielt' He cut her off. 'Tell me how you know Jessica was in the
bank, ' he demanded.
'I watched Caleb for her, ' she explained. 'She had taken him with her
to the bank earlier that afternoon, and he was cranky and out of
sorts.
She put him down for his nap and then went back.'
'Why? ' 'She had tried to close her aunt's account, but she'd left one
of the signed documents on Tilly's kitchen table. That's why she went
back.'
'Then what happened? ' 'It was awful, ' she whispered. 'She'd run all
the way, and when she got to the back door, she started throwing up.
She was barely coherent, ' she added. 'I tried to get her to calm
