until yesterday. That’s when he admitted that both he and Tate knew all about Will’s claim. I guess Tate had buried the paperwork.”
“Well, well, well,” Janet murmured. “I’ve always known that Tate Owens was a good man, but to tell you the truth I’ve wondered when Justin would get the perspective he needs to do that job right.”
Patsy was startled by the implied criticism. She rushed to Justin’s defense. “Justin is an excellent lawman. You have to know that. He believes so fiercely in right and wrong.”
“Exactly,” Janet said. “Up until now it’s been black-and-white with him. You’re either obeying the law or you’re breaking it, in spirit or in deed. Apparently he’s finally discovered that there are some actual gray areas in life. It will make him a better policeman. Maybe he’ll even find a way to forgive the man who hurt Sharon Lynn and killed Kyle.”
“Has Sharon Lynn been able to do that?”
Janet looked deeply troubled by the question. “I’m not sure she ever thinks of him at all. She’s still blaming herself.”
“I was afraid of that. Do you think she needs to see a psychologist?”
“It doesn’t matter what I think,” Janet responded. “Sharon Lynn has to want to move on and right now she’s too consumed with guilt to think about the future.”
“Is she better physically?”
“She’s getting stronger every day. She needs to start getting up and getting out.”
Patsy gave that some thought. “I have an idea.”
Janet’s expression brightened. “Tell me.”
“I know she’d been thinking about buying Dolan’s. What if she were to think that Doc was about to leave and the rest of us were going to be out of jobs. She loves that place. Would she be able to bear the thought of it closing down?”
Janet pondered the idea, then nodded slowly. “It just might work. Particularly if you were the one to tell her, maybe lay it on really thick about how important the job is to you, especially now with the custody fight and your very expensive lawyer.” She added the last with a grin.
“How expensive?” Patsy asked. “Are you really going to help me? Do we have a case?”
“Don’t worry about my fee. We’ll work something out. I’m grateful to have a case that my husband can’t possibly disapprove of my taking. As for winning it, there’s something you need to understand about me. I have never accepted losing as a possibility. That doesn’t mean I haven’t lost a time or two, but I always fight to win.”
“But the system—”
“The system requires a fair fight. With all due modesty, with me on your side, the fight will be more than fair. I know how to handle the Will Longhorns of the world.” She met Patsy’s gaze evenly. “Tell me this, what are you most afraid of?”
“That Will will try to take the baby, insist on him being raised by the tribe. Isn’t that what’s happening with babies who are part Native American?”
“They won’t take the baby from its natural mother. I promise. And given what you’ve told me about your husband, I doubt he’ll fight the divorce or even whatever custody arrangements we want, not if he wants to run for political office,” she said grimly. “He won’t want all the details of his abuse made public.”
“But—”
“No buts. Even if he tries to claim that the charges are false, he’ll never be able to wash away all the mud on his reputation,” Janet said with confidence. “If he’s smart and his advisers truly believe in him, they’ll convince him to settle this quietly and with as little publicity as possible. From everything you’ve said about him, I doubt Will Longhorn will be vindictive enough to throw away everything he’s ever wanted just to get even with you.”
For the first time since she’d fled, Patsy began to hope that she could finally stop running. Relief coursed through her. “Will I have to go back to Oklahoma?”
“No. We’ll file the divorce papers right here. I’ll have him served before he even gets out of jail.” She came around the side of her desk and clasped Patsy’s icy hands. “You and Billy will be fine, and you will be together. Trust me.”
“He’ll be furious when he gets the papers.” She thought of his temper. “What if he comes to the house?”
“I’ll ask for a restraining order.”
Relieved, Patsy was ready to grasp at the option and then she thought of Billy. He wanted so badly to see his daddy. Could she keep them apart? Or did