“But you’ve made me want to learn more about myself, to see if I can’t fix that broken part. I think we studied that course together, in first-year psych, the part about people with personality issues who never accept that they’re the ones who are different. So if they’re marching, if they lead with their right foot while everyone else uses their left, they say with unshakable belief that it’s everyone else who’s out of step, not them. I think I’m like that.”

Pia looked around. She hadn’t realized the nurse had left, nor had she seen or heard the man enter the room. He was stocky, in a cap and gown, just like she and George were wearing, over his streetclothes. He was standing at the back of the room as she stood with George by Will’s bed. The man waved his hand as if to say, “Don’t mind me! Go on!”

“I never understood people’s feelings, George. I sneered at people who said they were in love because I never knew what that meant. I don’t know if I can change, and I don’t know if someone can be taught how to love. But I do know I want to try to change.”

Pia reached out and touched George’s cheek with one fingertip.

“Please try to forgive me.”

George closed his eyes.

“Pia, there’s nothing to forgive. I’m just so happy you’re safe.”

Pia stepped back and studied Will’s peaceful face, then turned toward the visitor. She sensed he was there to talk to her.

“Miss, I’m Detective Captain Lou Soldano. You’re Pia Grazdani, I assume?”

“Yes.”

“You have to come with me now.”

“I understand. Do you mind if I use the bathroom first?”

“Of course not,” Lou said.

After Pia told George she’d see him later, she and Lou walked out of the intensive care unit.

“I’m glad to see you,” Lou said. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Pia said, before disappearing into the women’s room near the elevators. After locking the door, she took out her smartphone. Quickly she tapped out an e-mail, forwarding a sizable message she’d already written. After making certain it had gone, she used the toilet. She then looked at herself in the mirror over the sink and said: “Now the shit hits the fan.” Taking a deep breath, she composed herself to go out and meet Detective Lou Soldano who represented her old nemesis, the City of New York.

Chapter 64.

64.

EAST TENTH STREET
NEW YORK CITY
MARCH 26, 2011, 2:13 A.M.

The man was aware of the buzzing of a phone right next to his ear. He went immediately from deep sleep to partial consciousness but it took him a few beats to realize where he was. He picked up the phone, saw his device, didn’t recognize the number but accepted the call just to stop the noise.