“We’ll see about that,” she said. “This is completely unacceptable… . Did I expect it? Well, it’s become the pattern, now, hasn’t it, but I hoped … No, no, no. I can’t. Certainly not in this case … Well. I’d really rather not … Yes, she is, but due to certain circumstances, I hesitate … Indeed, I did. Who the hell hasn’t seen it?” She looked at Benton. “Then maybe you understand why I don’t want to do that … Uh-huh. I’m hearing you. I got it loud and clear the first time you said it. I suppose I could find out if she’s willing and get back with you. But I wouldn’t blame her for wanting to get the hell out of here, catch the last shuttle to Logan… .”

She ended the call.

They were outside the hospital now, on the sidewalk. It was almost four, and getting dark, and very cold, and their breath was as thick as smoke.

“Marino doesn’t mean to hurt people,” Benton felt compelled to say. “He didn’t mean what happened.”

“You’re saying he didn’t mean it when he raped Kay.” Matter-of- factly as she put on gray mirror-finished glasses that hid her eyes. “Or is what’s all over the Internet today untrue? I wish to hell you’d sent him to some office other than mine. He’s fully involved in this goddamn case, and there’s no way to keep the two of them apart indefinitely. You have to talk to her.”

“What’s in that gossip column gives a false impression.”

“A forensic linguist would have a field day with that statement. But I’ll take your word for it. What’s on the Internet’s a complete fabrication. Glad to hear it.”

She pulled on kid-leather gloves and turned up the collar of her shorn mink coat.

“I didn’t say it was completely untrue,” he replied.

He stared at the distant Empire State Building, lighted red and green for the holidays, a warning beacon flashing atop its spire to remind aircraft to stay clear. Berger placed her hand on his arm.

“Look,” she said in a gentler tone. “You should have told me the real reason Marino left Charleston, left Kay, is because of what he did to her. I’m going to work very hard at being understanding. I know what it must have done to you. Of all people, I should know.”

“I’ll fix it.”

“You won’t fix anything, Benton. What you’ll do is move forward. All of us have to move forward and be smart each step of the way.”

She removed her hand from his arm, and it felt like rejection.