In Death 10 - Witness in Death

he performed that duty in an exemplary fashion."
    "He'd be so pleased to hear you say so. He admires you a great deal. In fact, I hope it won't embarrass you, but I think Troy has a little crush on you."
    Instead of drinking the coffee, Eve set it down. "Ms. Trueheart, your son was under my hand when he was injured."
    "Yes, I know. The counselors explained what happened. I've already spoken with the patient liaison. They're doing everything they can to help him. He'll be fine."
    She smiled, and still holding Eve's hand, drew her toward the seats. "In my heart I'd know if it was otherwise. He's all I have, you see."
    Eve sat on the table, facing Pauline as the woman lowered into a chair. "He's young and strong."
    "Oh yes, and a fighter. He's wanted to be a policeman as long as I can remember. It means so much to him, that uniform. He's a wonderful young man, Lieutenant, has never been anything but a joy to me." She glanced toward the doorway. "I hate thinking about him in pain."
    "Ms. Trueheart..." Eve fumbled, tried again. "I don't believe he was in pain. At least, he was unconscious when I reached him."
    "That's good, that helps. Thank you."
    "How can you thank me? I put him in this position."
    "Of course you didn't." She took Eve's hand again. "You must be an excellent commanding officer, to care so much. My son wants to serve. Serve and protect, isn't that right?"
    "Yes."
    "I worry. It's very difficult for those of us who love the ones who serve and protect. But I believe in Troy. Absolutely. I'm sure your mother would say the same about you."
    Eve jerked back, bore down on the ache that centered in her gut. "I don't have a mother."
    "Oh, I'm sorry. Well." She touched Eve's wedding ring. "Someone who loves you, then. He believes in you."
    "Yeah." Eve looked over, met Roarke's eyes as he came in. "I guess he does."
    "Ms. Trueheart." Roarke crossed to her. "I've just been informed that your son will be out of surgery shortly."
    Eve felt the quick, light tremble of Pauline's fingers. "Are you a doctor?"
    "No. I'm Lieutenant Dallas's husband."
    "Oh. Did they tell you how -- what Troy's condition is?"
    "He's stabilized. They're very hopeful. One of the surgical team will speak with you in a little while."
    "Thank you. They said there was a chapel on this floor. I think I'll sit there until they're ready for me. You look so tired, Lieutenant. Troy wouldn't mind if you went home and got some rest."
    When she was alone with Roarke again, Eve simply braced her elbows on her thighs and pressed the heels of her hands to her eyes. "Tell me what you didn't tell her. Give it to me straight."
    "The spinal injury is giving them some concern."
    "Is he paralyzed?"
    "They're hopeful it's temporary, due to swelling. If it proves to be more serious, there are treatments with high success rates."
    "He needs to be a cop. Can you get a specialist?"
    "I've taken care of it."
    She stayed in the same position, rocked a little. "I owe you."
    "Don't insult me, Eve."
    "Did you see his mother? See how she was? How can anyone be that strong, that brave?"
    Roarke cuffed her wrists, drew her hands down. "Look in the mirror."
    She shook her head. "It's love with her. She'll will him to be safe and whole and happy because she loves him. I think she'll pull it off, too."
    "Mother love is a fierce and powerful force."
    Steadier, she rolled her aching shoulders. "Do you ever think of yours? Your mother?"
    He didn't answer immediately, and the hesitation had her frowning at him. "I was going to say no," he explained. "But that was knee-jerk. Yes, I suppose I do, occasionally. I wonder now and then what became of her."
    "And why she left you?"
    "I know why she left me." The steel was back in his voice, in his eyes. Cold steel. "I held no particular interest for her."
    "I don't know why mine left me. That's the worst of it, I think. The not knowing why. The not remembering." She hissed out a breath, annoyed with herself. "And that's useless speculation.
    "I guess I've got mothers on the brain. I need to talk to Carly about hers."
    She got to her feet, shoved back the fatigue. "I want to check on Stiles's condition, interview him if he's conscious. I'm going to have to go into Central, file my report. I have a meet with the commander first thing in the morning."
    He rose as well. Her face was pale, her eyes bruised. The nicks and scratches on her face stood out like badges of honor. "You need to sleep."
    "I'll catch some at Central. Anyway, as things