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.The downstairs included the living room, a large combination den and game room complete with pool table and jukebox, a guest room, bathroom, kitchen, and laundry room.Jess stopped midway down the first floor hallway and flipped a switch inside the last downstairs room."This is where I spend most of my time," she said glancing into the room."It's not completely picked up, but not too bad for me.My office."The walls of the room were covered with trophies, plaques, and pictures.As Harriett made her way around the room, she read the inscriptions on the trophies and smiled at the pictures.Obviously, Jess had been a basketball player in her high school and college years, and if the trophies and plaques were any indication, Harriett assumed that she had been a very good player."A jock, huh?" she laughed over her shoulder."Only in my younger and wilder days," Jess chuckled."But I had a good time."Harriett followed Jess back into the living room."What's upstairs?""The master suite," she answered."Basically just an oversized bedroom, sitting room, and master bath.""I've never seen a bedroom that took up an entire floor before," Harriett said.Pressing a switch at the bottom of the stairs, theater style lighting illuminated each step as Harriett followed Jess up the stairs and into the largest bedroom she had ever seen.Plush burgundy carpeting covered the floor, which held a minimal amount of furniture.The far wall of the room was floor to ceiling windows with French doors opening onto a second story deck.Moonlight filtered through a skylight over the king size bed."Oh, my God!" Harriett breathed."There's so much space.""The problem with most people is that when they find themselves with extra living space, they feel an irresistible urge to fill it up with something.I've always preferred simple over extravagant." Jess turned a dial near the entrance to the room and brought the lighting up for a better view of the expansive room."Just the way I was raised, I guess.""This is incredible, Jess.Really.""Thanks," Jess smiled."The bath has a garden tub with a Jacuzzi that is very relaxing after a tough day."Harriett wandered around the room and master bath and couldn't get over how impressive it was.Standing next to the bed, she ran her hand over the wood on the headboard."This is lovely.What kind of wood is this?" she asked as she ran her hand over the smooth surface."Birdseye maple," Jess said, shoving her hands into her pockets."I saw some a couple of years ago and fell in love with its uniqueness.Found a retired furniture maker and had him construct this bed out of it for me." Seeing the look on Harriett's face, Jess answered her unasked question."This isn't the bed Renee and I shared.I couldn't stand having it here.Too many memories," she said, her voice cracking slightly."I'm sorry."Harriett reached out and squeezed her arm gently."I didn't mean to bring back bad memories, Jess," she said softly."It's okay.Talking about the bad times allows us to cope with problems and makes it easier to talk about good memories.If I don't talk about it, I'll never be able to get on with my life.""Now you sound like my psychologist," Harriett said."Well, to tell you the truth, Harriett, Helen Mortenson was my psychologist for a while after Renee died.That's how I got your unlisted number," Jess grinned."That witch!" Harriett laughed."Isn't that a breach of confidentiality or something?""How about another cup of coffee and some dessert?" Jess offered."And maybe more good conversation," Harriett said as she took Jess's hand and moved toward the stairs.AN HOUR LATER Jess had been bombarded with questions about her past and her work until she finally threw up her hands."Are you this relentless when you question witnesses in court?""Sorry, occupational hazard," Harriett smiled."Now that you know everything about me except maybe my shoe size, tell me about Harriett Markham.And I should tell you that I'm a trained interrogator, too."Leaning back against the sofa, Harriett sighed, "Pretty boring story."Jess rested her arm along the back of the sofa and looked at Harriett."You know pretty much all there is to know about Renee.Anyone significant in your past?""That's a little complicated," Harriett answered, clearing her throat."How so?""There was someone a long time ago.She was a senior partner in the law firm I worked for in Dallas.It was intense, and I know now, a mistake.""Did you love her?"Harriett looked into Jess's eyes."Very much.""And." Jess coaxed."I was involved in an extremely difficult case, which resulted in my leaving the firm and moving to Austin.""And she just let you go?""She already had a partner, which I guess made me the 'other woman.' So it was for the best.""But you don't regret it," Jess stated.Harriett smiled slightly."No, I don't regret it.""Do you still love her?""I'll always love her, but I'm no longer in love with her.She was an important part of my life once." Harriett couldn't bring herself to divulge the temporary rekindling of her affair with Alex.Maybe someday, but not that night.Jess glanced at the mantle clock and sat up."Damn, it's after one.Your niece is probably wondering where you are.""I'm fine, and Lacey doesn't wait up for me when I go out for the evening.""You said it had been a stressful week," Jess said as she got up and carried their coffee cups to the kitchen."I just thought you might be getting tired."Harriett followed Jess into the kitchen and helped her rinse and load their dinner dishes into the dishwasher.For a few minutes there was an awkward silence between them.Being with Harriett had made Jess realize how much she hated being alone and how much she missed Renee."I really enjoyed dinner tonight, Jess," Harriett said."The food was delicious, and the conversation was wonderful.""I'm glad.It's been a while since I've had anyone over for dinner," Jess said quietly.In fact, it's been more than a while since I've been with anyone I'd want to get to know better, she thought as she glanced at Harriett."We'll have to do it again sometime.""I'd like that," Harriett smiled warmly.She had been pleasantly surprised at how comfortable being with Jess was.There was a quiet shyness about her that she found intriguing."Would you like to go to the club tomorrow night? Maybe have dinner someplace before we trip the light fantastic?" Jess offered."So I can spend my evening fighting off other women who want to dance with you?" Harriett teased."Your services seemed to be in great demand the last time you were at the club."Stepping closer to her, Jess smiled, "I promise to turn down my legions of admirers and save every dance for you.""Well, who could possibly turn down an offer like that?" Harriett laughed.Chapter Twenty-Six"I COULD LOSE my job if they catch you in here, Wayne.""Look, Kelsey.I know the prosecution or Riley or both have more than they're telling us.And I know you're the techie who ran the tests on the fuckin' rifle.Were the bullets a match or not?" Wayne pressed.Howard Kelsey was the best ballistics technician in north Texas, but he was also your basic Harvey Milquetoast.He couldn't be bribed, but he sure as hell could be intimidated."All six that I examined were from the same lot the police found at the defendant's home.The firing pin marking on the shells were consistent with that model Browning and the lands and grooves matched as well.The bullets were all lubricated, which means.""Yeah, yeah, I know what it means.They travel faster out of the barrel.So what?""Well, why would anyone need a bullet that travels faster if it's gonna run into a target moving toward it at sixty or so miles per.Just seems like an unusual choice.If they hadn't been such specialized bullets, there's no way they could have been traced to your client
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