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How about I just assume that I wouldn’t be here if his history in the bully department was untarnished? Is that an assumption that we all can live with?”
    Neither Diane nor I contradicted her.
    I thought,
And
that
is how the high hurdles of confidentiality are effortlessly cleared.
    “Well, good. Where is Ms. Storey right now?”
    I said, “She went home after our session this morning. She feels certain that her husband doesn’t suspect anything. She insists she’ll be safe until the police show up to talk with him.”
    Celeste smiled ruefully. “I can name this song in three notes. In case you’re wondering, it’s a very sad song.”
    “I did my best to keep her from going home.” I don’t know why I felt the need to protest my innocence, but I did.
    “I know how it goes. I’ve beaten my head on that wall a few hundred times myself, Alan. Kids? Please tell me there are no kids.”
    “None, thankfully.”
    “You’ll talk to her again when?”
    “Tomorrow morning. At that point I hope to get her permission to contact the police in Laguna Beach and pass along her suspicions about her husband. She prefers not to do it herself. Obviously, the moment that occurs-should they believe her-she’ll need protection.”
    Celeste said, “Her suite at the palace is ready.”
    Diane said, “This could be high profile, CeeCee. You sure you’re ready for the publicity?”
    “There’s no reason for anyone to know she’s at Safe House. If someone does connect the dots and is irresponsible enough to go public with the information, we’ll deal with it. That’s what we do. We’re here to protect women at risk. This sounds like a woman at risk.”
    “You’re sure?” Diane asked. “The press will be all over this.”
    Celeste took a moment to move her gaze between Diane and me, then back to Diane.
    “What don’t you like about her?”
    “Me?” Diane asked. “What do you mean?”
    “Don’t play with me, Diane. What is it about this woman you don’t like? Something’s bugging you.”
    Diane uncrossed her arms and crossed her legs instead. She started to speak and stopped. When she started again, her words came out as though she’d floored her tongue and her transmission was locked in first gear. “Gibbs Storey is an alpha bitch, CeeCee. She’s everything I-I-I hate about every
über
-popular girl wrapped up into one too-cute, too-thin, too-precious, too”-Diane actually growled at this juncture-“too-perfect little package.”
    Without the slightest alteration in her tone, Celeste said, “You know I love you, right, Diane? Good. Then please take this the way I intend it: It’s obvious your high school years left you with some unresolved issues, dear.” She paused. “I suggest you get over them. I’m happy to refer you to someone who will be delighted to help you exorcise those demons.”
    Celeste’s hand disappeared into the Day-Timer and miraculously emerged with a business card. She handed it to me. “That’s my cell number. Call me when your lady’s ready for our services. I’ll have someone come over here and get her. I don’t want her followed to the shelter. Anything else? You guys know about the Christmas benefit? Good, I thought so. I’ll see you there. Be sure to bring your checkbooks.”
    And she was gone.
    I looked at Diane and said, “
Über
-popular alpha bitch?”

NINE
    I was late getting home.
    After the meeting with CeeCee ended I squeezed in a few minutes of decompression with Diane before I drove out to Louisville to visit Sam again. The torture contraption had been removed from his groin, and he’d been turfed from the coronary care facility to a telemetry unit. I found him propped up in bed staring at a muted TV screen. He’d already trashed the hospital gown and was wearing nothing but a pair of running shorts and a tangle of wires that snaked to an array of sensors plastered to shaved rectangles in the thick mat of hair on his chest.
    Sherry plodded into the room a