I SEE YOU an unputdownable psychological thriller with a breathtaking twist by PATRICIA MACDONALD (bookstand for reading txt) 📗

‘I understand,’ said Rayanne. ‘Nothing could be more important than that.’

Hannah turned to Jamie. ‘I’m sure you’ve heard about the trial.’

Jamie looked uneasy. ‘I did. I couldn’t believe it.’ He turned to Greta. ‘These are our next-door neighbors that I told you about.’

Greta nodded solemnly.

‘The prosecution is due to wrap up this morning. Lisa’s lawyer is very good. So far, she has really poked holes into their case. As far as I can see, their case is circumstantial, but circumstantial or not, the whole thing is a nightmare,’ said Adam frankly. ‘We’re just hoping it will soon be over and we can get Lisa home.’

‘Her lawyer said that Lisa will take the stand today, to testify,’ said Hannah.

‘Lawyers don’t usually let a defendant do that unless they’re sure you’re innocent,’ Greta piped up.

‘Greta’s in her first year of law school,’ Jamie explained proudly.

Hannah nodded, not mentioning what Marjorie had told them — that she had advised Lisa against testifying. ‘You saw what happened at the bail hearing,’ Marjorie said. ‘She’s a loose cannon.’ But Lisa had insisted on her right to defend herself and would not be dissuaded. Marjorie told them that she planned to prep Lisa extensively for her testimony and keep her on a short leash.

‘Tell her I was asking for her,’ said Jamie.

‘I will,’ said Adam.

‘Um, can I get you guys some coffee from the cafeteria?’

‘Oh, you don’t have to do that,’ said Hannah.

‘These two might want to stretch their legs,’ said Adam, realizing before Hannah did that Jamie and his girlfriend might want to escape from the gloomy waiting room for a little while, now that someone was there to sit with Rayanne for a little bit. ‘Bring me back a small coffee, regular.’

Hannah shook her head. ‘Nothing for me. Thanks, dear.’

‘No problem,’ said Jamie. He and Greta headed for the door, arms around one another’s waist, as if they had been longing for the opportunity to entwine themselves again. Young love, Hannah thought with an indulgent sigh.

‘She’s a very nice girl,’ said Rayanne.

‘I can see that,’ said Hannah, as Adam sat down and glanced at the baseball game on TV. ‘He deserves a nice girl.’

The morning session in court was brief. The prosecution presented an expert on combustion, who asserted that the gas valve could have been left open up to two hours, given the lack of airtightness in Troy’s rented fishing camp, and the gas would still have exploded when it came in contact with the candle flames. That meant that even if their eyewitness had been an hour off in the time she saw Lisa drive by, Lisa could still have been the one responsible.

They also presented a video deposition from Claude Dupree, one of Troy’s old buddies from nursing school, who lived and worked at a hospital in Hawaii. Claude said that on the night in question, before Lisa arrived, they Skyped and Troy told him that he was planning to break up with her. ‘I asked him why,’ said Claude. ‘I thought he really liked her. Troy told me that this woman, Lisa, was bad for him, and he couldn’t continue with it. “She’s on her way over,” Troy said. “I’m going to put an end to it.”’ With the deposition of this last witness the prosecution rested.

The judge announced that there would be a break for lunch, after which the defense could call its first witness. Jurors were cautioned not to discuss the case, and everyone left the courtroom.

Hannah and Adam went outside to get some air. They sat on a bench in a park across from the courthouse. ‘What did you think about that last witness?’ Hannah asked.

Adam shrugged. ‘It’s just talk,’ he insisted. ‘It doesn’t necessarily mean anything. Two guys bullshitting.’

Hannah nodded thoughtfully, worried.

As they returned for the afternoon session, Hannah heard someone calling her name. This was nothing unusual in the vicinity of the courthouse, and normally she did not acknowledge it or turn around. Almost always, it was someone from the press. But this time she heard a familiar note in the voice and turned to look. Jackie Fleischer was crossing the street, and motioned for Hannah to wait. Hannah waved back and stood in place.

‘What are you doing here?’ Hannah asked.

‘I wanted to come to court this afternoon. Just to offer some moral support,’ said the psychologist.

Hannah was touched. ‘I really appreciate that. Thank you.’

‘I was hoping you wouldn’t think I was intruding.’

‘Intruding? Are you kidding? How would it be possible to intrude on us? Every moment of our lives is reported on television. I’m just glad to see a friendly face. The defense begins its case this afternoon.’

‘Yes, I heard that on the car radio,’ said Jackie. ‘It sounds like the prosecution’s case is pretty feeble.’

‘Let’s hope the jury thinks so. Come along. You can sit with us,’ said Hannah.

Jackie nodded as she joined Hannah and Adam, who began to edge forward, making slow progress through the courthouse doors.

After Judge Endicott reminded the jury of their responsibility not to make up their minds before all the testimony was in, the defense was asked to call its first witness.

‘The defense calls Lisa Wickes to take the stand, please,’ said Marjorie.

Lisa stood up and walked purposefully to the witness stand. She was wearing a dark suit with a skirt, and her hair was pulled back from her face with a headband. She looked even younger than her twenty-one years, serious and studious. She took the stand and promised gravely to tell the truth.

‘She looks so young,’ said Jackie. ‘Just a kid.’

‘She is just a kid. But this is aging her by the day, I think,’ said Hannah. ‘Her and her parents.

‘Oh, here we go,’ said Jackie seriously, as Marjorie Fox was given the nod by