CHAPTER 3: A Husband Above the Rail

Dorian saw the gesture.
Even from the lawn, Maya watched his face change. Shock left first. Calculation followed. It moved across him quickly, smoothing his features into the expression of a worried husband who knew cameras might arrive before truth did.
'Nora,' he called. 'Don't try to talk. You're confused.'
The word confused landed too neatly.
Maya had heard it before in houses where bruises were called misunderstandings and fear was renamed stress. She looked back down at Nora.
'Did someone hurt you?'
Nora tried to speak, but only a breath came out.
From the front steps, Marion Caldwell finally moved. She descended with a silk scarf pulled tight over her shoulders and concern arranged on her face like jewelry.
'Officer, my daughter-in-law has been fragile for weeks,' Marion said. 'She should not be questioned like this.'
Maya did not look away from Nora.
'Then she will appreciate someone finally asking.'