Page 13 of The Drowned Woman
“Not Keystone,” Jack piped up. “We run a clean ship—I make sure of it. No sense having all the energy you need if your kids and grandkids won’t be able to drink the water or have a clean environment to play in, right?”
“Do you live here, Mr. O’Brien?” Luka asked, desperate to steer things back on track.
“I wish.” Jack glanced meaningfully at Risa, who blushed. “I’m out in the field most of the time, but I have a place a few blocks away. I stop by here every morning when I’m in town. To check on Risa—sometimes she has a rough night.”
“Not always,” she said, her posture defensive. “Besides, I’m pretty much a night owl anyway. Get most of my work done then.”
“Were you still awake this morning when Mrs. Orly left?” Luka continued. “Did you see or hear her leave?”
“No, I must have finally fallen asleep.” Risa frowned. “I was up all night—”
“Why didn’t you call me if you were having a bad night?” Jack asked.
“I’m fine now.” Risa’s tone made it clear she didn’t like being taken care of, but it was obvious that Jack thrived on being a protector. “Trudy and Walt lost their home health aide. I try to help out when I can, and I told Trudy to call me anytime if she needed me to keep an eye on Walt.” She stretched a hand to the computer desk and grabbed her phone. Her expression fell. “I missed her call. Seven thirty-four. I should have been awake—usually I would have been. I should have had the phone closer so it woke me. Then maybe—”
“Even if you had taken her call, she still would have gone to the store,” Leah said. “There was nothing you could do.”
“May I see that?” Luka gestured to the phone. Risa handed it to him. He took a picture of the missed call on her screen. “Trudy left you a voicemail. Okay to play it?”
“Of course.”
He pressed the icon and a woman’s voice sounded. “Risa, are you there? Oh, you’re probably in the shower. Walt spilled his medicine last night but Mr. McMahon at the pharmacy keeps extra ready. I’m going to pick it up now, shouldn’t be long, maybe a half hour. Walt’s sound asleep—was up most of the night, so probably will sleep all morning, but just in case, could you keep an eye on him? Thanks! And if they have those tea cookies you like, I’ll grab you some. You deserve a treat!”
They sat in silence for a moment. Luka had the sudden urge to call home to check on Pops, even though he knew his grandfather was being well cared for by Janine, the live-in aide who’d joined their household after his nephew’s unexpected arrival. But all Trudy had to help her was the kindness of her neighbors. Silent tears streamed down Risa’s cheeks.
“It’s not your fault.” Jack moved to sit on the arm of Risa’s chair, pulling her close to him. “There’s nothing you could have done.” He glanced up at Luka, searching for affirmation. “Right, Detective?
Luka ignored the question. “Did you hear Trudy return?”
Risa shook her head and swiped a hand at her eyes. “No. I didn’t know anything was wrong until I heard Walt shouting.”
"What time was that?”
“I’m not sure. Cliff would know—it was when he called 911. I came out of the apartment and saw Walt looking over the railing. Then I saw—I saw Trudy. At the bottom.”
Jack’s eyes widened. “Trudy fell? From up here?” He wrapped his arms around Risa’s shoulders, burying her face in his chest. “What a terrible accident.”
“We’re not certain what happened,” Luka replied.
Jack said, “Surely you don’t suspect—I mean, Walt’s sick. His mind, he gets angry, confused. But he’d never hurt Trudy. Never.” Despite his words, he seemed uncertain. He turned to Risa. “I think you should come home with me. I’ll call off work—”
Risa was shaking her head. “I’m fine. Really. They took Walt to the hospital.” Her tone turned sorrowful. “I’m not even sure he understands that Trudy’s gone. He won’t be able to take care of himself. I don’t know what will happen to him.” She glanced at Leah.
“They’ll find a place for him,” she said in a soothing tone. “Most patients at his stage of his illness need long-term care facilities.”
“What if their insurance doesn’t cover that? They won’t just put him out on the street, will they?” Risa yanked on Jack’s sleeve. “We need to help him. It’s the least we can do.” The color had drained from her face and she put one hand to her mouth.
“Did you take your medicine this morning?” Jack asked.
Risa nodded. She swallowed, took a breath.
“I think you need another dose. Let me get you into bed and I’ll get it.” Jack helped Risa to her feet, her weight sagging against him. “That’s enough for today.”
“Just a few more questions,” Luka tried. Even if Risa hadn’t seen Trudy’s fall, he still needed to know what happened in the Orlys’ apartment before his team arrived.
“They’ll have to wait. Come back later, Detective.” Jack’s tone was firm as he pivoted Risa away from Luka toward the bedroom.
Luka glanced to Leah, a silent plea for help. Strongarm tactics would only antagonize the overprotective boyfriend. Maybe Leah could get Risa alone, away from Jack, so they could take her statement.
