River’s End

some of her aunt in her.”
    There was a flicker of surprise over her face, then a sigh. “She had nightmares last night, and I’ll catch her just staring off into space with that—that vacant look in her eyes. Sucking her thumb. She stopped sucking her thumb before she was a year old.”
    “Whatever comforts. Mrs. Melbourne, you’ve got a lot on your mind, and a lot more to deal with. You’re going to want to think about counseling, not just for Olivia, but for all of you.”
    “Yes, I’ll think about it. Right now, I just have to get through the moment. I want to see Sam.”
    “That’s not a good idea.”
    “I want to see the man who murdered my sister. I want to look him in the eye. That’s my therapy, Detective Brady.”
    “I’ll see what I can do. I appreciate your time and cooperation. And again, we’re sorry for your loss.”
    “See that he pays.” She opened the door, braced herself against the calls and shouts of the press, of the curious, crowded in the street.
    “We’ll be in touch” was all Frank said.
    Jamie closed the door, leaned heavily against it. She lost track of how long she stood there, eyes closed, head bent, but she jerked straight when a hand fell on her shoulder.
    “Jamie, you need some rest.” David turned her into his arms. “I want you to take a pill and lie down.”
    “No, no pills. I’m not having my mind or my feelings clouded.” But she laid her head on his shoulder and some of the pressure eased out of her chest. “The two detectives were just here.”
    “You should have called me.”
    “They wanted to talk to me, and to Livvy.”
    “Livvy?” He pulled her back to stare at her. “For God’s sake, Jamie, you didn’t let them interrogate that child?”
    “It wasn’t like that, David.” Resentment wanted to surface, but she was too tired for it. “Detective Brady was very gentle with her, and I stayed the whole time. They needed to know what she’d seen. She’s the only witness.”
    “The hell with that. They have him cold. He was there, he had the weapon. He was fucking stoned as he’s been half the time the last year.”
    At Jamie’s quick warning look toward the stairs, he sucked in a breath, let it out slowly. Calm, he reminded himself. They all had to stay calm to get through this. “
    They have all the evidence they need to put him away for the rest of his miserable life,” he finished.
    “Now they have Livvy’s statement that she saw him, she heard him.” She lifted a hand to her head. “I don’t know how it works, I don’t know what happens next. I can’t think about it.”
    “I’m sorry.” He gathered her close again. “I just don’t want you or Livvy, or any of us, to suffer more than we have to. I want you to call me before you let them talk to her again. I think we need to consult a child psychologist to make sure it isn’t damaging to her.”
    “Maybe you’re right. She likes Detective Brady, though. You can tell she feels safe with him. I upset my mother.” For a moment, she burrowed against David’s throat. “
    I need to go up to her.”
    “All right. Jamie.” He slid his hands down her arms, linked fingers with her. “They’re going to release Julie’s body day after tomorrow. We can hold the memorial service the following day, if you’re ready for it. I’ve started making the arrangements.”
    “Oh, David.” Pathetically grateful, she shuddered back a sob. “You didn’t have to do that. I was going to make calls later today.”
    “I know what you want for her. Let me take care of this for all of us, Jamie. I loved her, too.” He brought her hands to his lips, pressed a kiss to her fingers.
    “I know.”
    “I have to do something. Details are what I do best. I, ah, I’ve been working on a press release. There has to be one.” He ran his hands up her arms again, back down in a gesture of comfort. “It’s more your area than mine, but I figured simple was best. I’ll run it by you before it’s confirmed. But as for the rest. . .just let me take care of it.”
    “I don’t know what I’d do without you, David. I don’t know what I’d do.”
    “You’ll never have to find out.” He kissed her, softly. “Go up to your mother, and promise me you’ll try to get some rest.”
    “Yes, I will.”
    He waited until she walked upstairs, then went to the door, stared out the glass panels at the figures sweltering outside in the high summer heat. And thought of vultures over fresh