Baltimore 03 - Did You Miss Me?

justice. And it felt powerful. I feel powerful .
    Daphne dialed her mother’s number, knowing her mother would need to hear her voice, just like she needed to hear Ford’s. I’ll call him next .
    ‘Mama, it’s me,’ she said when her mother answered. ‘I’m fine.’
    ‘Daphne! I was so worried.’
    Daphne frowned. ‘Are you crying, Mama?’
    ‘’Course I’m not,’ her mother declared with an indignant huff.
    Of course she had been. But Simone Montgomery would never admit to tears, even on the rare occasions that she shed them in front of people. Especially on those occasions. ‘Of course you weren’t,’ Daphne said apologetically. ‘How silly of me.’
    ‘The news said someone got stabbed.’ This came from Maggie, her mama’s best friend. And my mentor, teacher, confidante . Savior . ‘Are you hurt, too?’
    ‘I’m all right, Maggie. I’m just a little rattled, but I’ll be fine.’
    ‘Of course you will,’ Maggie said matter-of-factly, then her voice softened. ‘Should I leave the barn light on for you?’
    Daphne let her mind drift until she could hear soft whinnies and smell sweet hay. When she was a little girl in West Virginia, when she was most upset, she went to the barn to brush Maggie’s horses, whispering her darkest secrets and deepest fears in their ears. They always listened and never told a soul. They never criticized or terrorized. She’d worked through many a panic attack by brushing a horse.
    When she’d gotten sick, her mother had moved to Baltimore to take care of her. Maggie had soon followed, bringing her horses. Now Maggie had a new barn not far from Daphne’s house and Daphne got out there as often as she could. She didn’t always ride, but she always brushed the horses.
    It hadn’t always been easy to get away to the quiet of the barn over the years, so she’d learned to go there in her mind. It was her own version of meditation and it had worked in hospital rooms, law school classrooms, and most recently at her desk in the SA’s office as her schedule became fuller and tighter.
    It was working now, her rocketing pulse having slowed to almost normal. Today she’d go to the barn in person. I’ve earned the respite .
    ‘It may be late, Maggie,’ Daphne said, ‘but I’ll be by.’
    ‘Good. Reese tolerates me riding her, but she’s been watching for you.’
    Reese was Daphne’s horse, a mare she and Maggie had rescued several years before. Healthy now, Reese loved a quiet trail ride. ‘Now that this case is finally over, I’ll have more time for her.’ And for myself . Daphne needed to store up some quality time before the next big case fell in her lap and her schedule became hectic once again.
    ‘We saw the verdict on the news,’ her mother said. ‘We’re all very proud of you.’ Her mother’s voice cracked slightly, her emotion making Daphne’s eyes sting in turn.
    ‘Thank you, Mama. Look, I have to finish putting my face on for the cameras and y’all are going to make me smear my mascara so I have to go. Love you. Bye.’
    She dropped the phone into her purse and reached for the mascara, tranquility restored. She’d brushed on the first coat when the washroom door creaked loudly.
    ‘Daphne?’ a male voice whispered loudly.
    Her cheeks flamed. ‘Grayson? Tell me you are not in this ladies’ room.’
    ‘Okay, I’m not. Not all the way, anyway. One foot’s still in the hall. I wanted to be sure that you’re all right.’
    ‘Why wouldn’t I be?’ she asked.
    ‘Um, all the heaving?’ he asked and she closed her eyes.
    ‘You heard that?’
    ‘Kind of hard not to.’
    ‘God,’ she groaned. ‘This day just keeps sucking worse and worse.’
    ‘If it makes you feel better, no one else heard. This floor’s been evacuated.’
    It did help, a little. ‘I was wondering why I was all alone in here. I’m almost done.’ She slapped on lipstick and exited in the most dignified manner possible, under the circumstances. Grayson was holding her coat.
    ‘I figured you’d want to cover up Welch’s blood on your blouse,’ he said.
    ‘Thanks.’ Daphne shrugged into her coat. ‘Paige texted me. You need to call her.’
    He showed her his phone, the screen splintered. ‘Cindy’s boot. Phone’s dead. I called Paige from one of the offices. And I called my mother, too, so don’t nag me.’
    Daphne often nagged him about calling his mama, because she empathized with the woman. She checked her phone, frowning. ‘Ford hasn’t tried