A Crying Shame: A Jesse Watson Mystery by Ann Mullen

regardless of his love life, or
whatever.”
    “Back to business,” I said and looked over at Billy. “What
exactly is going on? Did Brian Cherry kill his wife? I can’t believe he would
do that; not after what you told me about him. He almost lost his wife and
child and he believed it was the doctor’s fault. He wanted to go after him and
everyone involved. This doesn’t sound like a man who would kill his wife. He
might kill the doctor. That would make more sense.”
    “I don’t have all the details yet. I called Russ and we’re
going to meet at the jail.”
    “Why did he call you instead of a lawyer?” Mom asked. “No
offense, Billy, but you’re a private investigator, not a lawyer.”
    “I am a man of honor and he knows this,” Billy proudly
responded.
    “How true!” I added.
    “Hey, maybe we should call Jack.”
    “No, Russ can handle the case,” Billy replied. “Besides, this
is a little out the way for Jack. Doesn’t he live in Fairfax ?”
    “Yeah, you’re right,” Mom replied.
    “I need to leave right now,” Billy said as he stood. “Russ
lives in Stanardsville, so he’s probably already at the sheriff’s office. I’ll
bet Wake Hudson will be surprised to see me again so soon.”
    “That’s not a bit funny.” I shuddered. I couldn’t see how
Billy could joke about something so serious. There was no doubt in my mind that
our problem with Carl wasn’t over. I just knew that he’d come back into our
lives… with a vengeance.
    “Didn’t I hear you say something about someone coming over?”
Mom asked Billy.
    “Oh, yeah,” he replied and then looked at me. “Claire called.
She and Cole wanted to come see you. She asked if it was okay to bring the
kids—with you just getting home from the hospital and all, and I told her it
was all right. I didn’t think you would mind. I know how much you love those kids.”
    “I can’t wait to see them. I’m so glad everything worked out
okay. I just get so angry when I think about Carl and that stupid trick he
tried to pull. He belongs in jail, or better yet, someone needs to take him out
back and kick his butt.”
    “Don’t be so hard on the man, Jesse,” Billy said as he headed
to the bedroom. “Sometimes people do crazy things when they’re backed into a
corner. Maybe he was afraid of losing his kids because of the divorce. A
divorce brings out the worst in people.”
    “Carl’s a mean person. When he gets backed into a corner, he
comes out fighting. What am I saying? Carl never gets backed into a corner, yet
he always comes out on top,” I yelled to him.
    Billy walked back into the living room wearing his gun.
    “What are you going to do, shoot your client out of jail?”
    “Jesse, you know I always wear a gun.”
    “I don’t usually see you put it on.”
    “You live with the man,” Mom said. “You’re going to see a lot
of things now.” She let out a little giggle. “Sometimes I think you’re still a
child. You want to grow up, but then when you do, you still have a child’s mind
about things.”
    “Mom, you always rationalize everything.”
    “That’s my job.”
    “Ladies, I have to go.” Billy walked over and kissed me, and
then Mom. “Take care of Jesse until I get back home, please. You know how she
is. There’s no telling where her mind will go once I leave. Don’t let her out
of the house, either… regardless of what she wants to do. If you have to, lock
her in the bedroom.”
    “Can I do that?” Mom asked. “Hey, what about your sandwich?
Hold on a minute.” She ran to the kitchen, picked up his sandwich and laid it
on a napkin. She grabbed a soda from the refrigerator. She handed the sandwich
and the drink to him as he was getting ready to leave. “You need to eat
something.”
    Billy took the drink and sandwich, and then opened the front
door. Athena and Thor were close on his heels.
    “No,” he told them. “You two stay here and protect the
women.” He looked over at us, and then walked