“No, right here!” Mary got her phone, scrolled to the text, and set it on the table, playing the video. She knew it wouldn’t deliver, and the very thought made her want to throw up. Machiavelli leaned over to get close to the phone, and Flavia adjusted her glasses. They all watched the video in silence until the end, when the shadowy silhouette climbed out of the window and vanished.
“Ha!” Machiavelli laughed, cruelly. “Mary, that doesn’t show anything. That could be anybody. It could even be a woman. You can’t tellanythingfrom that.”
“Mary, he’s right.” Flavia eased back into her chair, troubled. “I don’t understand. Is this why you think it’s Stretch? It’s just a shadow. You can’t see a face.”
“Flavia, it’s Stretch, I know it is, I just can’t prove it. I know they did it, and you’re in denial because it’s Nicky.” Mary began to feel nauseated, but she didn’t know if it was physical, emotional or both. She put her hand on her belly, but the baby wasn’t moving.
“Let me see that again.” Machiavelli picked up Mary’s phone, watching the video closer. “There’snothinghere. It really could be anybody.”
“No, it’s Stretch.” Mary wiped her brow, newly damp.
“Wait. Look, Mary.” Machiavelli pointed excitedly, freezing the video, enlarging it even further, and showing her the screen. “See that bump, on the killer’s left wrist? Maybe it’s a woman, wearing bracelets, with, like a pendant or a charm. It could be a woman in pants.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” Mary tried to focus on the video, and since it was enlarged, she saw what Machiavelli meant. There was a small bump on the shadow’s left wrist, visible only when the killer opened the window and his sleeve rode up.
“Or it could be a man with a big watch, who wears it loose. A man’s watch, but oversized—”
“Like Nicky’s.” Flavia pulled up her son’s sleeve to reveal aclunky stainless-steel watch. “I gave him this watch, but lots of men have them. The murderer could be a man with a big watch like Nicky’s.”
“My Panerai?” Nicky said, with a note of pride. “I love this watch. It’s a real diver’s watch, designed for the Italian Navy. I don’t wear it loose, but maybe the killer did. He could’ve been wearing another type of big watch.”
“Youdid it, not Stretch! It wasyou!” Suddenly Mary felt terrible. She didn’t know what was wrong with her, then she felt a rush of warmth in her underwear.
“Mary?” Flavia squeezed her arm. “You’re so pale. What’s the matter?”
“Um, I think I need to go to the doctor.” Mary rose, nervous.
“Nicky, get her to your car!”
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
“Is the baby okay?” Mary asked, her heart in her throat. She lay on the examining table in the examining room, holding her breath while Dr. Foster read a long continuous paper graph inching out of a fetal monitor machine, which sat next to the examining table on a rolling cart. A plastic fetal heart rate monitor and a contraction sensor had been taped to Mary’s belly, as soon as she had gotten to the office.
“The baby is fine.” Dr. Foster smiled, looking up from the tape. Her heavy black glasses slipped down her nose, and her pearl earrings matched her long, white coat. “The heartbeat is normal and steady.”
“Thank God!” Mary felt tears come to her eyes, but held them back.
“You had a scare, but it’s over now.” Dr. Foster came to Mary’s side, letting the monitor tape drop.
“But the baby hasn’t been kicking for, like, a day and a half.”
“I know, you told me, and that can be worrisome. It doesn’t always mean something.”
“But the spotting? This is the second time.”
“Again, I’m not overly worried, but I think it’s time for youto go on restricted activity, for two weeks. Stay home, off your feet for a week. Then check back with me.”
“You think?” Mary couldn’t process it fast enough.
“Yes, I know your job is important to you. But I play it safe, always do. You told me how active your day was yesterday and today. I’m hearing that you’re very busy.” Dr. Foster frowned. “I even saw you on TV the other day, in the middle of a mob scene. It was all I could do not to text you.”
“What you saw was a protest after a memorial service. A friend of mine was murdered. It’s just been such a busy time, and everything is so important.”
“My condolences.” Dr. Foster nodded gravely. “And believe me, I understand that you have a lot of things to juggle, all important. Welcome to motherhood.”
Mary managed to smile, wiping her eyes.
“But that doesn’t change my orders. Please stay home for two full weeks. Then call me and come back in. We’ll see where we stand.” Dr. Foster smiled in a professional way. “You’re going to be here for a few hours. I want a full reading, so we have a complete picture. So rest now, and we’ll keep monitoring the baby. After you leave today, go directly home to bed. I’ll have the receptionist tell your friend that you’ll be awhile longer.”
