“Boy, was that a stupid scheme.” Her face got red as she remembered the phone calls, and she looked at Barney to see if there was a response. But he seemed the same as before.

“If I’d been interested in weird sex, those guys were more than willing,” she continued. “But I don’t think any of them killed Sam Miller. Only one of them seemed like a real professional killer.” She shrugged. “I guess it was a silly idea.

“Barney . . .” Her voice rose. “If you could just tell me what happened the night of the accident, it would be an awful big help. What made you swerve? A gunshot? A bright light? I have an idea,” she said, dropping her voice and leaning closer to him.

She looked up, startled, as the door opened and a tired-looking Marge entered the room, along with Dave Davidson. The three of them stood awkwardly together in the small room.

Lucy smiled. “Hi, Dave.”

He nodded but didn’t speak to her, and Lucy thought briefly of Mr. Shay, the minister of the church she had attended as a child. Mr. Shay had been a round, jolly man who made everyone feel at ease. Dave Davidson was tall and thin, and he had a permanent slouch. Through years of counseling sessions he’d developed the habit of helpful listening and rarely initiated a conversation himself. Lucy had no doubt that this technique was useful in helping troubled souls focus on their problems, but it did little to smooth the course of social exchange, especially in uncomfortable situations in places such as hospital rooms or even in the vestibule after church services. Dave’s attentive gaze always reduced Lucy to profound speechlessness, and as he himself did little but proffer his limp white hand, Lucy routinely scooted past him after church on Sundays.

As she stood there today she felt the familiar urge to flee. But first she had to tell Marge the good news.

“Marge, look! Barney has opened his eyes. The nurse says one of these days he’ll just start talking as if nothing happened. Isn’t that great?”

Marge and Dave didn’t react with the joy she had expected. In fact, they seemed to be waiting for her to leave. Lucy was only too happy to oblige.

“I think I’ll get some coffee. You can find me in the coffee shop whenever you’re ready.”

“Thanks, Lucy.”

“See you downstairs,” Lucy said as the door swung shut. But she couldn’t help wondering why Marge wasn’t as overjoyed about Barney as she was.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

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Lucy stood for a moment looking at the door that had just been closed so firmly; then she shrugged and began walking down the corridor to the elevator.