Weep No More, My Lady

I thought I heard Ted shout at Leila to put the phone down. I thought I heard her say, 'You're not a falcon.' But Leila was sobbing. That's why I misunderstood. Helmut was nearby. He heard her say, 'You're not Falcon.' He heard accurately. I did not.

That tape of Alvirah Meehan in the treatment room. Listen carefully. That first voice. It sounds like the Baron, but there's something wrong. I think it was Craig imitating the Baron's voice.

Scott, there's no proof of any of this. The only proof will be obtained if Craig has found me too dangerous.

We'll see what happens. There is one thing I know and probably have always known in my heart. Ted is incapable of murder, and I don't care how many witnesses come forward to claim they saw him kill Leila.

Elizabeth

Scott put down the letter and looked sternly at Elizabeth. 'I wish you had trusted me to help you. You almost lost your life.'

'It was the only way,' Elizabeth said. 'But what did he do to Mrs. Meehan?'

'An insulin injection. As you know, during college he worked summers at the hospital in Hanover. He picked up a lot of medical knowledge those years. But initially the insulin wasn't meant for Alvirah Meehan.' Scott looked at Elizabeth. 'He had become convinced you were dangerous. He had planned to find a way to do away with you in New York this week, before the trial. But when Ted decided to come here, Craig persuaded Min to invite you too. He persuaded her that you might back off from testifying against Ted once you saw him. What he wanted was a chance to arrange an accident. Alvirah Meehan became a threat. He already had the means to get rid of her.' Scott stood up. 'And now I'm going home.'

At the door he paused. 'Just one last observation I'd like to make. You, Baron, and you, Syd, were willing to obstruct justice when you thought Ted was guilty. By taking the law into your own hands, you did him no favors and may indirectly have been responsible for Sammy's death and Mrs. Meehan's attack.'

Min jumped up. 'If they had come forward last year, Ted might very well have been persuaded to plead guilty. Ted should be grateful to them.'

'Are you grateful, Min?' Cheryl asked. 'I gather the Baron did write the play. You not only married nobility, a doctor, an interior designer, but also an author. You must be thrilled-and broke.'

'I married a Renaissance man,' Min told her. 'The Baron will resume a full schedule of operations at the clinic. Ted has promised us a loan. All will be well.'

Helmut kissed her hand. Again Elizabeth was reminded of a little boy smiling up at his mother. Min sees him now for what he is, she thought. He'd be lost without her. It cost her a million dollars to find that out, but maybe she'll decide it was worth it.

'Incidentally,' Scott added, 'Mrs. Meehan is going to make it. We can thank Dr. von Schreiber's emergency treatment for that.' Ted and Elizabeth followed him out. 'Try to put it behind you,' Scott told them. 'I have a hunch things are going to be a lot better for you two from now on.'

'They already are.' Ted's voice was firm.

Two

The noon sun was high overhead. The breeze was coming gently from the Pacific, bringing the scent of the sea. Even the azaleas that had been crushed by the patrol cars seemed to be trying to struggle back. The cypress trees, grotesque in the night, seemed familiar and comforting under the splendid sunshine.

Together Elizabeth and Ted watched Scott drive away, then turned to face each other. 'It really is over,' Ted said. ' Elizabeth, I'm just starting to realize it. I can breathe again. I'm not going to wake up in the middle of the night and wonder about living in a cell, about losing everything in life I value. I want to get to work again. I want…' His arms went around her.

'I want you.'

Go ahead, Sparrow. This time it's right. No dillydallying. Do as I tell you. You're perfect for each other.

Elizabeth smiled up at Ted. She put her hands on his face and brought his lips to hers.

She could almost hear Leila singing again, as she had so long ago, 'Weep no more, my lady…'

***