Тесс Герритсен - Presumed Guilty стр 17.

Yes, Ive heard your version. At least your storys consistent.

Its also the truth.

Truth, fiction. He shrugged. In your case it all blends together, doesnt it? Abruptly he turned and headed up the cemetery drive.

What if its all truth? she called after him.

Stay away from the family, Ms. Wood! he yelled over his shoulder. Or Ill have to call in Lorne Tibbetts.

Just for a moment, consider the possibility that I didnt kill him! That someone else did!

He was still walking away.

Maybe its someone you know! she shouted. Think about it! Or do you already know and you want me to take the blame? Tell me, Mr. Tremain! Who really killed your brother?

That brought Chase to a sudden halt. He knew he should keep walking. He knew it was a mistake to engage the woman in any more of this insane dialogue. It was insane. Or she was insane. Yet he couldnt break away, not yet. What shed just said had opened up too many frightening possibilities.

Slowly he turned to face her. She stood absolutely still, her gaze fixed on him. The afternoon sun washed her head with a coppery glow. All that beautiful hair seemed to overwhelm her face. She looked surprisingly fragile in that black dress, as though a strong gust might blow her away.

Was it possible? he wondered. Could this woman really have picked up a knife? Raised the blade over Richards body? Plunged it down with so much rage, so much strength, that the tip had pierced straight through to his spine?

Slowly he moved toward her. If you didnt kill him, he said, who did?

Was it possible? he wondered. Could this woman really have picked up a knife? Raised the blade over Richards body? Plunged it down with so much rage, so much strength, that the tip had pierced straight through to his spine?

Slowly he moved toward her. If you didnt kill him, he said, who did?

I dont know.

Thats a pretty disappointing answer.

He had enemies

Angry enough to kill him?

He ran a newspaper. He knew things about certain people in this town. And he wasnt afraid to print the truth.

Which people? What sort of scandal are we talking about?

He saw her hesitate, wondered if she was dredging up some new lie.

Richard was writing an article, she said. About a local developer named Tony Graffam. He runs a company called Stone Coast Trust. Richard said he had proof of fraud

My brother had paid reporters on his staff. Why would he bother to do his own writing?

It was a personal crusade of his. He was set on ruining Stone Coast. He needed just one last piece of evidence. Then he was going to print.

And did he?

No. The article was supposed to appear two weeks ago. It never did.

Who stopped it?

I dont know. Youd have to talk to Jill Vickery.

The managing editor?

Miranda nodded. She knew the article was in the works and she wasnt crazy about the idea. Richard was the driving force behind the story. He was even willing to risk a libel suit. In fact, Tony Graffam has already threatened to sue.

So we have one convenient suspect. Tony Graffam. Anyone else?

She hesitated. Richard wasnt a popular man.

Richard? He shook his head. I doubt that. I was the brother with the popularity problem.

Two months ago he cut salaries at the Herald. Laid off a third of the staff.

Ah. So we have more suspects.

He hurt people. Families

Including his own.

You dont know how hard it is these days! How desperate people are for work. Oh, he talked a good story. About how sorry he was to be laying people off. How it hurt him just as much as it hurt everyone else. It was garbage. I heard him talking about it later, to his accountant. He said, I cut the deadwood, just as you advised. Deadwood. Those employees had been with the Herald for years. Richard had the money. He could have carried the loss.

He was a businessman.

Right. Thats exactly what he was. Her hair, tossed by the wind, was like flames dancing. She was a wild and blazing fire, full of anger at him, at Richard, at the Tremains.

So weve added to the pool of suspects, he said. All those poor souls who lost their jobs. And their families. Why dont we toss in Richards children? His father-in-law? His wife?

Yes! Why not Evelyn?

Chase snorted in disgust. Youre very good, you know that? All that smoke and mirrors. But you havent convinced me. I hope the jury is just as smart. I hope to hell they see through you and make you pay.

She looked at him mutely, all the fire, all the spirit suddenly drained from her body.

Ive already paid, she whispered. Ill pay for the rest of my life. Because Im guilty. Not of killing him. I didnt kill him. She swallowed and looked away. He could no longer see her face, but he could hear the anguish in her voice. Im guilty of being stupid. And naive. Guilty of having faith in the wrong man. I really thought I loved your brother. But that was before I knew him. And then, when I did know him, I tried to walk away. I wanted to do it while we were stillfriends.

He saw her hand come up and stroke quickly across her face. It suddenly struck him how very brave she was. Not brazen, as hed first thought upon seeing her today, but truly, heartbreakingly courageous.