Part 261 (2/2)

She watched him roam restlessly around the room. There was nothing she

could say, not now when she could barely feel. If things had been

different ... She wondered, if things had been different, if she

would have reached out, if she could have trusted enough. But things

weren't different.

”Who do I have to talk to?”

”You can talk to me.” The control was back when he turned to her. ”Or I

can get a female officer if you'd be more comfortable.”

”No.” Her restless fingers began to pluck at the violas. ”No, I can

talk to you.”

”There's a stenographer waiting.”

”All right. We can do it now. I'd like to get it over with.”

It wasn't easy. Somehow she'd thought it would be, with her emotions so

deadened. But there were enough left, just enough to bring on the

shame. She didn't look at him as she spoke. As time dragged on she

told him everything. She hoped that by talking about all the fears, the

shames and humiliations, she would be purged of them. But when it was

done, she only felt tired.

Michael dismissed the steno with a nod. He couldn't speak, didn't dare.

”Is that all you need?” Emma asked.

He nodded again. He needed to get out. ”We'll have it typed up. You

can read it over when you're feeling up to it, and sign it. I'll check

back later.”

He swung out of the room and started for the elevators. McCarthy

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