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lifetime of public service could put her Harry in danger - that eventually one of his enemies might do something more than just threaten. But her fear gave way to more complicated feelings when Harry told her that this particular attacker had special knowledge about the Fernandez case. Agnes knew all too well how her husband had anguished over the decision not to grant a stay of execution - how he'd second-guessed the clarity of his own judgment. She understood her husband's pain. She shared it. Not just because there was no way to know whether the right decision had been made, but because of Jack.
    She'd pretty much botched it as a stepmother. She knew that. She'd tried to reach out to her stepson countless times, but there was nothing left but to accept the reality of his bitterness. She might have had a fighting chance of winning his love but for a low moment twenty-three years before. It had happened the day that her doctor broke the news that she and Harry would never have children, and the awful truth had caused her to reach for the bottle.
    She'd been too drunk to pick Jack up after kindergarten, so a neighbor had dropped him off. Jack came in quietly through the back door, making a conscious effort to avoid his new mother, whom he still didn't trust.
    Jack, Agnes had muttered as her eyes popped open. Her tongue was thick as frozen molasses. Come here, sweetie.
    Jack tried to scoot past her, but Agnes reached out and managed to grab him by the back of his britches as he passed. She wrapped her arms around him in an awkward embrace and mashed her lips against his cheek. Give Mommy a big hug, she said, stinking of her gin martini. He struggled to get out of her grip, but Agnes squeezed him tighter. Don't you want to give Mommy a hug? she asked.
    No, he grimaced. And you're not my mommy!
    Resentment flared within her. She pushed little Jack off her lap but held him tightly by the wrist, so he couldn't go anywhere. Don't you dare talk to me that way, she scolded. Then she slapped him across the face. The boy burst into tears as he struggled to get loose, but Agnes wouldn't release him.
    Let me go, you're hurting me.
    Hurt is the only thing you understand, young man. You don't appreciate anything else. I'm the one who changed your dirty diapers. I'm the one who who - she struggled to find the words - lost sleep with all your crying in the night. Not your mother. I did it. I'm your mother. I'm all you've got!
    You're not my mommy. My mommy's in heaven!
    Agnes didn't know where the ugly words were coming from, but she couldn't stop them. Your mother isn't dead, you little brat. She just didn't want you!
    Jack's hands trembled as he stared at his stepmother. That's a lie! he cried. A lie, lie, lie! That's all it is! That's -
    aEU| the news at sunrise, The anchorman's voice drew Agnes out of her past. From all of us at channel seven, have a great day.
    Agnes hit the off button as she returned from her memories. The governor stepped from the bathroom, dressed and ready to take his phone call at the corner of Tenth and Monroe, ready to find out the truth about Raul Fernandez. However, last night he'd promised his wife that he wouldn't go without her blessing. She'd promised to sleep on it. As he stood at the foot of the bed, adjusting his necktie, she knew it was time for her to give him an answer.
    Well? he asked.
    Agnes sighed. It wasn't an easy decision. Even taking a phone call could be dangerous. The man did have a knife. But if this was a way to ease Harry's pain, a way to fix the rupture between her husband and her stepson, she couldn't stand in his way.
    Don't you dare take any chances, Harry Swyteck.
    The governor smiled appreciatively, then came to her and kissed her on the lips. I'll call you when it's over. And don't worry - I'm the original Chicken Little, remember?
    Agnes nodded but without conviction. In the beginning of their marriage, when Harry had been on the police force, such assurances were offered on a daily