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informing them of her
pregnancy.
    “ I’m excited,” Harley
said.
    “ I’m not sure how I feel about
becoming a grandmother.”
    “ It’ll be great,” Harley
said.
    “ I’m glad the cows are gone.
They’re really noisy and they tore up the yard.”
    “ The Cowens weren’t too happy when
I called them last night,” Harley said. “They tried to tell me they
weren’t their cows. I told them that was fine. We could use the
meat and we’d have them all butchered.”
    “ That explains why they were here
at first light. Did they figure out how they got out?”
    “ They found a place along the
fence line that had been knocked down,” Harley said. “I still think
Kitty is involved somehow.”
    “ May be you’re just feeling guilty
because you torment her so much.”
    “ Well, she’s going to try to get
even,” Harley said.
    “ That’s a given but I’m not sure
she’d use cows. She seemed freaked out last night when she saw them
in the yard.”
    “ How do you think it went?” Harley
asked.
    “ I think we may have overplayed
our hand. It’s possible Billy might think we were picking on
Marian.”
    “ The arrival of the cows kept it
from getting too bad,” Harley observed. “That seemed to end the
inquisition. Still, Marian might be smart enough to make Billy feel
guilty.”
    “ I can’t make up my mind about
her. I think my people radar is off.”
    “ That’s because this is personal,”
Harley said. “You want your dad to be happy, but the child inside
doesn’t want daddy to be with another woman.”
    “ Well, Harley Edelin, sometimes
you dazzle me with insights.”
    “ That’s what us macho, silent
types do,” he said.
    “ OK, that’s a little over the
top.”
    “ You know, I’ve been thinking,”
Harley said, trying to change the subject. “I’m a little worried
about Kitty and this cyber dating thing. Our little Kitty has
turned into a swan. I just hope she’s careful. You still headed to
Barnes Hospital tomorrow?”
    “ Yeah, as soon as we finish
breakfast.”
    “ Is this guy going to end up being
pissed off at you?” Harley asked. “I’ve heard some of the phone
messages you get.”
    “ Those messages are from people
who aren’t interested in getting better,” Roni said. “Their goal is
to delay treatment and avoid going back to work at all
costs.”
    “ How is this guy at Barnes
different?”
    “ This young man has had his whole
life turned upside down. These kinds of injuries keep me honest. I
do my best work on cases like this. I can get him into the best
rehab facility in the area and help him and his wife
adjust.”
     

Chapter Eight
    Billy Diamond thought dinner in Hillsboro had been
tough, but he had a vague premonition that breakfast in Alton might
also be a challenge. Marian was on her way over but there had been
a distinct tone in her voice when she called. Red flags seemed to
be flying around the kitchen as Billy whipped up pancake batter,
sausage and eggs, and another pot of coffee.
    Marian had been quiet on the ride back from Roni’s
the night before and had refused to spend the night, which was
Marian’s typical tactic when she was mad about something. Billy had
just finished putting all the food on the table when he heard the
doorbell. A subdued Marian stood in the doorway when he opened the
door.
    “ Good morning, Marian,” Billy said
as he waved her in.
    “ Good morning, Billy,” she said as
she allowed Billy to kiss her on the cheek and they walked back to
the kitchen.
    “ Would you like some coffee?”
Billy asked.
    “ That would be fine,” Marian said
as she sat down.
    Billy brought two steaming mugs to the table and sat
down, allowing the passing of food to replace dialogue. The silence
seemed to go on a long time with Billy trying his best to avoid
looking at Marian. Eventually, the pancakes had been buttered and
lathered with syrup, the sausage had been cut into bite-sized
pieces, and the eggs had been salted and peppered. Before he