'Norman's wet brother-Merman.'
She laughed. I stretched out, closed my eyes too. She put her legs atop mine. I sank, feeling myself warm, massaging her toes, trying to loosen up. But I kept thinking of the conversation I'd just had with Chip and remained tight.
Cindy just phoned me to say you're Coming by, tomorrow afternoon.
Meaning he hadn't been home when I'd called.
Hadn't been the man I'd heard Cindy speaking to.
The edginess...
Robin said, 'What's the matter? Your shoulders are all bunched.'
I told her.
'Maybe you're reading too much into it, Alex. It could have been a relative visiting-her father or her brother.'
'She doesn't have either.'
'So it was a cousin or an uncle. Or a service call the plumber, the electrician, whatever.'
'Sure is. Cassie's so damned dependent and everyone's failing her.'
'You're doing everything you can.'
'I suppose.'
We stayed in the water. I worked at relaxing again, settled finally for loose muscles and a tight mind. Soap- sud clouds gathered around Robin's shoulders like an ermine stole. She looked beautiful 'Try getting one of those guys on a Sunday evening,' I said.
'They're rich. The rich get what they want when they want It.
'Yeah, maybe that's all it was.... Still, I thought she sounded nervous. As if I'd caught her off guard.'
'Okay, let's say she's having a fling. You already suspect her of poisoning her kid. Adultery's a misdemeanor in comparIson.
'Having a fling the first day back from the hospital?'
'Hubby didn't see anything wrong with flying off to his office the first day, did he? Ifthat's his usual pattern, she's probably a lonely lady, Alex. He isn't giving her what she needs, so she's getting it elsewhere.
Anyway, does adultery relate to this Munchausen business?'
Anything that makes someone with those tendencies feel helpless could have an effect. But it's more than that, Robin. If Cindy's having an affair, that could provide a motive. Ditch hubby and kids, get free to be with her lover.'
'There are easier ways to get free of your family.'
'We're talking about someone sick.'
'Really sick.'
'I don't get paid to deal with healthy heads.'
She leaned forward and touched my face. 'This is really getting toyou.' and I told her so.
She said, 'What a flatterer, Mer.' But her grin was deep and heartfelt. At least I'd made someone feel good.
We got back into bed and tackled the Sunday paper. I read carefully this time, searching for anything on Western Peds or Laurence Ashmore but finding nothing. The phone rang at ten forty-five.
