Nursing was the sisters' way, every bit as much as music. Heartstrings, Sam had said, and Marisa knew that they were what counted. Playing fiddle with her sister, Marisa stared out the door as the Cape Hawk ferry crossed the water. She was concentrating on her rhythm, on keeping time with Sam, but she was also looking for the big redheaded Irishman who had brought them back together, who had tugged Marisa's heartstrings and inspired her song.

Chapter 21

Chapter 21

The lawyer's name was Lindsey Grant Winship. She was a partner in a Hartford firm, with offices in Constitution Plaza. Tall windows overlooked the Old State House, redbrick and gold-domed, an austere reminder of Connecticut's colonial beginnings. Lily sat in her office with Liam, her heart hammering as if she had just finished a race—instead of being about to begin one.

Lindsey was about fifty, tall and lean, with softly streaked brown hair. She was warm and welcoming, instantly comforting and understanding and somehow maternal—yet her brown eyes were filled with the curiosity and enthusiasm of a young girl. Her office was filled with color: paintings by her daughter, wonderful abstract portraits and landscapes, touched with gold leaf. Photographs of her daughter, from babyhood up until the present, graduate school. And shells and rocks picked up from the many beaches Lindsey and her family had visited over a lifetime of vacations.

Lindsey listened carefully, filling a yellow legal pad with notes as Lily gave background on her marriage, escape, Rose's birth and life, up until the present.

“He delivered the subpoena himself, instead of having a process server do it. That was very aggressive of him,” Lindsey said when Lily was finished.

“Edward was never lacking in aggression. He never hit me, though. . . .” Lily said.

“The sophisticated ones never do,” Lindsey said. “They use threats to instill fear, just like Edward did when he told you about Judy. He made sure you understood the potential for future consequences—that if you stepped out of line, you might very well have been beaten, just like Judy. That's one way he tried to control you.”

“What can I expect now?”

“He will try to use Family Court to attack you. Men like him use custody battles to destroy their mates, while also maintaining a connection with them. Lily, I'm sorry . . . but many women experience the most brutal abuse during this process.”

“But won't the judge see through him?” Liam asked.

Lindsey grimaced. “He'll play a role—the part of someone unfairly accused. Not only will he not admit his behavior, he'll deny it. He'll highlight his volunteer work, presenting himself as kindhearted and caring. Just as he did with Lily, during the marriage.”