later on foot,'" Edmonds read from the paper. Through narrowed eyes, he peered at Trissa over the top. "You don't believe this, do you? Your mother? That little woman is capable of--"
With a quick and startling swipe, Trissa snatched the paper from him. "Believe it? I can take the 'alleged' right out of the story for you." As if reciting by heart from the article, Trissa closed her eyes, took a deep breath and began. "Mrs. Kirk claims that as a victim of years of abuse from her husband, Mrs. Kirk attacked him as he attempted to force his way into their home. She pushed him down the back porch then beat him about the head and shoulders with a garden shovel. Later she heaved his body into her late son's toy wagon and wheeled it to nearby Calvary Cemetery where she partially buried it in a grave where a recent interment had taken place."
As she finished, Trissa's voice shook and her eyes were open and sharp with anger. She smacked the rolled newspaper against her side for emphasis. Edmonds backed away from her to the door. "Are you convinced I believe it now? It may take us a long time to get riled, but we little Kirk women pack quite a wallop when we're angry. Care to try me?" Trissa steamed.
"I suggest you heed the warning, Edmonds," Cole said as the doctor backed into him in the doorway. "Trissa is the fighter of the family. But I promise you, it is the only one of her abilities you will ever have the occasion to know."
On the same day Edie Kirk won her second indefinite postponement of her trial pending the completion of more psychological tests, Cole Brewer and his now lawfully wedded wife and his doctor Lorenzo Fitapaldi left for Michigan. As Fitapaldi crammed the rest of the suitcases into his car, Augusta kissed Trissa goodbye and made her promise to write.
"Everyday. Or at least every other. I know how honeymooners are."
Beverly and May smiled as Maurice produced a silver envelope and pressed it into Trissa's hand when they hugged. "From all of us. Use it for something special." Ruth and Jack came out of the kitchen lugging a huge picnic basket between them.
"All this?" roared Fitapaldi, scratching his head. "I hope I can find a place to put it.
"Well, it's a long road to Michigan."
Trissa, Cole, and Fitapaldi well knew how long a road it could prove to be. With Fitapaldi's help and Trissa's love and support, Cole had faced and begun to accept the horrible childhood memories that haunted him. Trissa's unyielding faith in him, proven by her insistence that they marry without delay despite his protests, gave Cole the strength to struggle forward instead of running away from his memories as he had in the past.
"How can you want to marry me? You would place your life in the hands of a man who for all we know could be a murderer?"
"For better or worse, my life is already in your hands."
From the portfolio of photographs, Nicholas's photo log, and Cole's scraps of recollection, they had pieced together a route into the still shadowy time since he'd left the state's guardianship at eighteen.
They would try to track down Janey first. She seemed safe enough to start. He no longer feared for her physical safety now that he had the memory of sending her away, but there was emotional damage to be repaired, if they could find her. For Beth, the ending was clearer. Beth had run off with Mitch.
Janey was not so easily found. He had been down these dead ends once before. Then Fitapaldi had the notion of contacting the high school she'd attended. They might have her listed in alumnae records even if she didn't graduate. The school was polite but firm. They could not share their information with anyone. Finally, Trissa sweet-talked them into forwarding a note to Jane's last known address. Three days later, Phyllis phoned from Dr. Fitapaldi's office with the news. Janey had called and if Nicholas was still interested in seeing her, she would wait in their park for him until four on Tuesday.
Trissa watched from the car as Cole approached the bench where Janey sat. She had noticed the bittersweet smile on his face when he first saw her there and had gently pushed him out the door without her tagging along. "Just remember " she reminded him, "No matter what she says, she can't have you back."