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“The husband tied her down for twenty-four hours without sustenance or a wet cloth or anything. He rapes her. And while her kids are screaming for her, he breaks her ribs, her leg, steps on her head, and pops out an eyeball. All because, according to the defendant, she flirted with a neighbor in full light of day.
“So, Switzer said, ‘Barbara went too far and because of that, her husband lost it and retaliated, and things got out of hand.The defendant is sorry, really sorry. I love her and she loves me.’
“Mo Switzer has that cool masculine authority, you know? His closing was elegant in its simplicity.”
I asked, “There are women jurors, Yuki?”
“Six,” she said.
Claire said, “They’re not going to buy what Switzer’s selling.”
“Hope you’re right,” Yuki said as Cindy plopped into the seat beside her. Our friend and author reached across the table, sipped from my beer mug, and said, “So? What’d I miss?”
“You first,” said Claire.
“Sure thing.You Never Knew Meis likely to hit number one on theTimesBest Seller list this week,” Cindy said. “And I’m flying to Phoenix in the morning for an event at the Poisoned Pen in Scottsdale.”
“No,” Claire said. “You’re joking.”
Cindy shook her head, no, and sang a few words of a Glen Campbell oldie.“By the time I get to Phoenix, she’ll be rising …”
Claire said, “You, Cindy. Are incorrigible. I know I’m laughing but I’m not joking, girlfriend. I love you so I’m telling you the truth. It’s not a day in Phoenix. It’s dangerous. Like walking across a line strung between two skyscrapers, blindfolded and without a net. That’s what I’m saying.”
I followed Claire’s image and saw Cindy doing exactly that.
And I didn’t know anyone who could stop her.
CHAPTER 54
LORRAINE CAME OVER, saying “hi” to Cindy, who asked, “What’s good tonight?”
“Everything. Point me in a direction.” Lorraine took her pen and pad out of her apron pocket.
“Seafood something,” said Cindy.
“Good choice. Trust me. And can you sign this for Rinaldo?” Lorraine had an ad for Cindy’s book leaved between pages of her order pad. She presented it to Cindy.
“To Rinaldo?”
“That’s it and sign it, ‘Love, Cindy.’”
“Haha.”
Rinaldo had a crush on Cindy. She signed her name for the chef and said, “Rum and Coke?”
“Coming up.”
“Cindy,” Claire said, genuinely concerned. “You don’t see a link between your book signing in Vegas and that boy who was killed that night?”
“I did hear, and Rich showed me Blackout’s nauseatingvideo. It was horrible—beyond words or comprehension. But here’s the thing, Claire.Ihaven’t received any threats, or emails, or videos, or texts, or anything. I was terrified until I put it together. I didn’t know any of those people who were killed. And I don’t know why they were killed in the same city where I was on tour. So, I have a question,” she said, taking in all three of us.
“Weren’t other people killed in cities where I wasn’t signing my book?”
I leaned back in my seat.
I said, “You’re saying, you think these particular killings are unrelated to you and the book?”
“Exactly,” she said.
