I've Got My Eyes on You(39)
“Father, when Jamie and I were in the kitchen last night, Alan Crowley’s picture came on the television. When I told Jamie why Alan was on TV, Jamie started talking again about what he saw the night of Kerry’s party.”
She hesitated.
Father Frank said, “Marge, I can see you’re upset. But I think it will help if you just tell me what is worrying you.”
“I know you understand that Jamie’s memory can be hazy. He mixes together things that didn’t happen at the same time.”
“I know that, Marge,” Father Frank said sympathetically.
“Last night, Jamie was very specific when he described what he saw happened to Kerry.”
“What did he say?”
“When I explained to him that the police think Alan is the one who hurt Kerry, Jamie was sure that Alan didn’t do it.”
Father Frank leaned forward in his chair. “Marge, what exactly did Jamie say?”
“He told me that Alan hugged and kissed Kerry, and then he went home. Then somebody else, ‘the Big Guy,’ hurt Kerry and pushed her in the pool.”
“Marge, do you think Jamie is describing what he saw accurately?”
“Yes, I do. But I don’t know what to do.”
Tears began running down Marge’s cheeks. She reached over and began to fumble in her pocketbook. “Father, is there someplace I could get a glass of water?”
“I’m sorry, Marge,” Father Frank said as he headed toward the kitchen. “I should have offered earlier.” When he returned with the water, he noticed how pale she looked. “Are you okay?”
Marge reached for the water glass, took a sip and swallowed a pill. “Honestly, Father, I’m having some problems with my heart. When I’m feeling stressed, like I am right now, I have to take one of these. It’s a nitroglycerine pill.”
Father Frank waited while she took a few more sips of water. “These pills are miraculous,” she said. “I feel better already.”
Marge continued. “About Jamie, if what he told me is true, Alan Crowley is innocent. But how do I let Jamie talk to the police and risk having the police think Jamie hurt Kerry? I told you how Jack would call Jamie the Big Guy. If Jamie tells the police ‘the Big Guy’ hurt Kerry, they might think he’s talking about himself. Father, I want to help Alan Crowley, but I can’t do it if it means getting Jamie in trouble.”
“Marge, I don’t believe for a minute that Jamie was the one who hurt Kerry. I know you don’t either. Wouldn’t it be best to tell the police what Jamie said, and just have faith in the system to work?”
“I don’t know, Father. I just need more time to think about it.”
50
Aline was about to leave her office when her cell phone rang. It was Mike Wilson.
“Aline,” he asked, “could you possibly meet me tonight? There are some things I want to go over with you.”
“Of course.”
“O’Malley’s at seven o’clock?”
“Fine. I’ll see you there.”
When she arrived at O’Malley’s, Mike was waiting for her. He was seated at the same table in the corner they had chosen the last time.
“It appears that you are a creature of habit,” Aline said.
“Guilty as charged,” Mike replied.
“My, aren’t we formal?” Aline said, noting how handsome Mike looked in his jacket and tie.
“Whenever I testify in court, I wear my Sunday best. I spent this afternoon getting grilled by a defense attorney.”
“Who won?” Aline asked.
“If they don’t find this defendant guilty, there is no justice in the world.”
The waiter approached the table. Mike asked, “Are we both creatures of habit?”
Aline nodded.
“A Pinot Grigio for the lady, and I’ll have a Coors Light.
“So, Aline, how is the world of guidance?”
“Sometimes easy, and sometimes not. I’ve got a depressed student I’m really worried about. Her parents are coming in to meet with me tomorrow. Oh! I have a potential update on Alan Crowley.”
“Really?”
“Princeton is aware of the accusations against Alan. My understanding is that in cases like these, they insist that the student stay home.” She decided against sharing with him that her mother and Pat Tarleton had contacted Princeton.
“I’m not surprised,” Mike said. “Colleges have media tracking services. They would have picked up reports that ‘Princeton-bound Alan Crowley’ has been accused of a crime.”
Mike took a long sip of his beer and then asked, “How are your parents doing?”
“I guess as well as can be expected. My mother is so sure that Alan is guilty. I think it’s given her some peace that he’s been arrested.”
“The families of victims often react that way. They consider it the first step toward justice. It might be a good idea for your mother to join a victim’s support group. I’ve seen people who were helped a lot. I’ll send you some information on the groups.”
“Thanks. I appreciate that.”
“Aline, let me get to the main reason I asked you to meet me tonight. As I’ve told you, a weakness in our case against Alan is that we haven’t found the tire changer who had the incident with Kerry. The information you sent me that he was a tow truck driver is very helpful. In your text you said one of the girls who appears to know something may be holding back. It’s so important that we find this guy and confirm where he was the night of the party. Can you find a reason to spend more time with that girl and maybe get her to say more?”