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counting on you. I know how persuasive you can be.”
    “I’ll do my best. One way or the other, you’ll know what he’s decided to do before the day is up. Marlise, I’m so sorry about what’s happened.”
    “Thanks, Jessica. Ironic, isn’t it, how it’s taken this tragedy to put us back in touch again?”
    I agreed and we ended the call after exchanging phone and cellular numbers for her and for her attorney.
    I went to the living room, where I found Wayne awake and sitting on the couch, his head in his hands.
    “Wayne, we have to talk,” I said.
    “Boy, I really conked out,” he said.
    “Why don’t you go in the bathroom and splash some cold water on your face?”
    “Huh?”
    “It’s important that we have a talk, Wayne,” I said in a tone that indicated I was serious. “Go on now. Wash up.”
     
     
     
    When he returned, he sat on the couch next to me.
    “I received a call from your stepmom,” I said, “and the attorney who’s representing her, Mr. Corman. He told me that Marlise went to bed early the night of the murder and that you can corroborate that for the authorities, but you ran away.”
    He stiffened. “You told them I was here?”
    “Yes. I promised to call them later today about your plans, whether you’ll agree to return to Chicago as soon as possible. Marlise needs your testimony. She needs you, Wayne. Surely you can see that. Regardless of your relationship with her, at least you owe it to her to tell the police the truth.”
    He started to say something, but I continued.
    “I can understand your wanting to get away from what was obviously a wrenching situation. I’m not judging you for doing that. But you’re an adult, and you have adult responsibilities. You and Marlise have both suffered a terrible loss, and you can help console each other. She’s not only lost her husband under dreadful circumstances, but now the police are pursuing her as a suspect. You must go home, Wayne, and do it immediately.”
    He leaned his head back against the couch and closed his eyes.
    “Wayne,” I said, “you have to listen to me.”
    His eyes opened, and he slowly shook his head. “You want me to go back for her sake, Mrs. Fletcher?”
    “Yes, and for your sake, too. You need each other at this time. You want to do the right thing, don’t you?”
    “What is the right thing?” he asked.
    “Supporting each other during this ordeal.”
    “I don’t know.”
    I stood and walked out, pausing in the doorway to address him. “You’re an adult, and I can’t tell you what to do. I only hope you’ll behave as your father would expect you to. It’s your choice, Wayne,” I said. “I’ll leave you alone to think about it. I’ll be in my office in the event you want to discuss it further.”
    I hadn’t been back in my office for more than five minutes when there was a knock at the door.
    “Come in,” I said.
    Wayne entered and stood across the desk from me. “You’re right,” he said. “I have to go back to Chicago.”
    I smiled at him and nodded. “You’ve made the right decision. I’ll make some calls and see what travel plans we can arrange for you.”
    “Will you come with me?” he asked.
    I’m sure my expression mirrored my surprise. “Me? Come with you? That’s out of the question.”
    “Then I won’t go,” he said, a suggestion of a pout on his lips.
    “You had no problem coming here to Cabot Cove by yourself, Wayne, and I’m sure you can find your way back to Chicago. There’s absolutely no reason for me to accompany you.”
    “I mean it,” he said. “If you won’t come with me, I’ll take off from here and go someplace else. I thought you were Marlise’s friend.”
    “I am, but—”
    “She really needs a friend, Mrs. Fletcher, and so do I. At least do it for her.”
    I was a jumble of conflicting thoughts at that moment. The notion of just picking up and flying to Chicago with him was troublesome, to say the least. I’d been making good progress on