Part 4 (1/2)

The volunteer smiled. ”I think I know the perfect dog for a young man.”

Harry beamed at the description.

She went to the next to the last cage and unlocked the door, coming out with a scruffy-looking, half-grown dog. The dog squirmed in her arms until she put him down. He walked over to Harry, wagged his tail, sniffed him briefly, then sat in front of him as if to say, ”You're satisfactory. I pick you.”

”He's been house-trained,” the volunteer said. ”The woman who had him became ill and went to live with a relative who turned out to be allergic to dog hair. It broke her heart. I would have taken him myself, but I've already adopted four dogs.”

”Does he have a name?” Holly asked.

”Caesar.”

”A n.o.ble name for a ...” She stopped for fear of hurting her son's feelings. He obviously thought the dog very handsome. She'd had a puppy in mind, but Mikey--no, Harry-- was on his knees, his arms around the animal as it slurped its tongue against his cheek.

She'd never had a dog and always wanted one. Her parent said no, and so had her husband when they were first married. She should have left then. She should have realized ...

But then she wouldn't have Mikey. She caught herself. She 'had' to start thinking of him as Harry.

”We'll take him,” she said.

”He's had his shots. You need to bring him in next month to be neutered,” the volunteer said, then paused. ”You've had a dog before?”

Suddenly afraid the woman might jerk the dog away if she said no, Holly nodded. Maybe nodding wasn't as big a lie as actually mouthing the words.

Moments later she had paid the fee, filled out the form with her new address and received a free leash, a pamphlet advising how to be a good dog owner, as well as a voucher that was good for neutering.

”By the way, my name is Julie,” the volunteer said, peering at the address. ”I see you're new in town and I know how lonely that can be. I give a free obedience cla.s.s once a month. Please come if you're interested.” She wrote down a time and place.

”Thank you.”

”And call me if you have any problems with Caesar. We take them back if they don't work out. No blame. Don't just abandon him.”

”No, I won't. I wouldn't.”

”Perhaps I can visit and see how he is doing.”

”I... don't have a phone yet.” Holly suddenly realized for the first time that she might not be able to get one. She supposed they 'did' check credit ratings or at the very least require a Social Security number.

So many things to consider. Despite all the small accomplishments she'd made today, her heart sank. How could she do this? She was sure to make a mistake.

How many mistakes had she already made?

She forced herself to push that thought aside. She thanked Julie and invited her to stop by the house they had rented.

The dog sat primly beside Harry in the car seat she'd toted across half the country. Her son was not going to let Caesar get more than an inch away from him. Caesar seemed content as well, occasionally putting one paw on his lap.

She had to buy some dog food, but it was too hot to leave the dog in the car while she shopped for it. Caesar would eat human fare tonight.

Human. She suddenly realized she felt human for the first time in years. Perhaps fear made her feel alive. Or was it the freedom? Yet she wasn't really free. She had killed a man.

The pleasure of the day faded. She was reminded of something else she needed to do today once they got the dog home. She wanted to go to the library and check the Internet for Louisiana newspapers. There would be news stories about her disappearance. A lot of them. She was, after all, the daughter of a judge, the wife of a rising state senator.

However, she had seen nothing in the newspapers she'd purchased when traveling from Florida to Arizona, nor had she heard anything on the television. She'd held her breath every time she'd turned it on.

But now she had to get to their new home and make it theirs. She had to find metal for her work. If she didn't sell something soon, they would be in trouble. Perhaps tomorrow she would take the two sculptures she had brought from home to the various galleries and gauge their interest.

She had to earn a living. Something she'd never done before.

She wouldn't let herself think it could all come to a screeching halt today, tomorrow, next week, next year.

She wouldn't think about it. She couldn't, and keep going.

'NEW ORLEANS'.

Meredith rang the doorbell of her parents' house at six-thirty in the morning.

She didn't just barge in. Never had. Doubted that she ever would. Once she'd moved out on her own, she'd never again considered the house on Chestnut Street her home. If, indeed, it had ever seemed like home.

Built in the early 1800s, the house now resembled a museum. There had never been a newspaper lying around or a cup of coffee left on a table for more than a moment. A book left in the living area might well disappear forever.

Her father did not like disorder.

Mrs. Edwards, the housekeeper, opened the door. She was always ”Mrs.,” never Maude, although she had been with the family for nearly ten years. Her father hated change and was willing to pay a premium price for consistency.

The housekeeper's homely face wreathed into a smile. ”Miss Meredith. Good to have you home.”

”Thank you. Is my father here? I'd hoped to join him for breakfast.”

”Six-thirty sharp, just like always,” she said. Then the smile slipped from her face. ”Almost like always, 'cept Mrs. Rawson isn't here.” She hesitated, then added, ”Any news about Mrs.... your mama?”

”Not good, Mrs. Edwards.”

”I should go to see her.”

”She wouldn't recognize you,” Meredith said. ”It's all right. My father needs you here.”

”I'll bring you breakfast. Two eggs over light?”

”You know me well. Thank you.”

”The griddle is still hot. It will just take a few minutes.”

”I'll go with you and get my coffee.”

She followed Mrs. Edwards into the large kitchen, poured herself a cup of coffee, then went into the dining room.

Her father was reading the newspaper as he ate. He looked up when she came in. ”Meredith. This is a surprise.” His eyes regarded her critically. ”You look like h.e.l.l.”

”Probably because I stayed with Mother last night.”