The Witness by Nora Roberts Page A

disciplined for her unfortunate behavior.”
    “You can intend anything you want, Dr. Fitch, but Liz is under the protection of the U.S. Marshals Service.”
    John spoke so calmly, so matter-of-factly, Elizabeth could only stare at him.
    “She’ll be moved from this location tonight, to one we feel is more secure. Your residence is not a secure location, and her safety is our priority. As I assume it would be yours.”
    “I have the resources to hire private security, if necessary. I’ve contacted my lawyer. Elizabeth can’t be forced to testify on this matter.”
    “They’re not forcing me. I’ve agreed to testify.”
    “Your judgment continues to be poor. This is my decision.”
    He’d called her Liz, Elizabeth thought. He’d called her Liz anddefied Dr. Susan L. Fitch’s directive—to her face. So she would
be
Liz. She wouldn’t crumble like Elizabeth.
    “No, it’s not.” The world did not end when she spoke the words. “I have to testify. I can’t go home.”
    A flash of shock overlaid the brutally cold anger on Susan’s face. “Do you have any concept of the consequences of
this
? You won’t be able to participate in the summer program, or study at Harvard in the fall. You’ll both delay and impair your education, and you’ll put your life, your
life,
Elizabeth, into the hands of people whose true agenda is to convict this man, at whatever cost to you.”
    “Julie’s dead.”
    “Nothing can change that, but this decision could ruin your life, your plans, your future.”
    “How can I just go home as if none of this happened? Go back to my life? And your plans, because they’ve never been mine. If their agenda is to convict the murderers, I accept that. Yours is for me to do nothing, to obey, to live the life you’ve designed for me. I can’t. I can’t do that anymore. I have to try to do what’s right. That’s the consequence, Mother. And I have to accept the consequence.”
    “You’ll only compound your mistake.”
    “Dr. Fitch,” John began. “The federal prosecutor is coming here to talk with Liz—”
    “Elizabeth.”
    “You’ll hear what he has to say. What steps will be taken. You can take a little time. I understand this is a shock. We’ll move you and your daughter to the new location, where you can take a few days to consider, to talk.”
    “I have no intention of going anywhere with you, and am under no obligation to go anywhere with you. I expect you’ll come to your senses in a day or two,” she said to Elizabeth. “Once you realize the limits of your current circumstances, and the true scope of those consequences. I’ll tell Dr. Frisco you’re ill, and will catch up on the work. Think carefully, Elizabeth. There are steps taken that can never be undone.”
    She waited, her mouth flattening when Elizabeth failed to respond.
    “Contact me when you’re ready to come home. Deputies,” she said, and walked to the door.
    John beat her to it. “One moment, Doctor.” He picked up his radio. “Barrow. Dr. Fitch is coming out. She’ll need to be escorted to her residence.”
    “Copy that. We’re clear out here.”
    “You don’t approve of my decision in this situation,” Susan said.
    “You don’t need or want my approval, but no. Not by a long shot.”
    “You’re right. I neither need nor want your approval.” She walked out without a backward glance.
    When he stepped back, he saw Terry sitting on the arm of Elizabeth’s chair, a hand lightly laid on the girl’s shoulder.
    “People react to fear and worry in different ways,” he began.
    “She wasn’t afraid or worried, or not primarily. Primarily, she’s angry and inconvenienced. I understand that.”
    “She was wrong,” Terry told her. “I know she’s your mom, but she was way off base.”
    “She’s never wrong, and she’s never been a mom. Is it all right if I go to my room for a while?”
    “Sure. But, Liz,” John added when she got up, “nobody’s never wrong.”
    “Bitch,” Terry