Thursday's Child (23 page)

“Sure. What about color?”

“Ivory. It really doesn’t matter what fabric. Something simple, but warm. Not too much beadwork or lace.” She closed her eyes and took several deep breaths. “I’m sorry.”

“Do you need a lift home?” Cassie asked, concern filling her voice.

“No, I have a car and driver out the front.” She pushed to her feet, more unsteady than she’d have liked. “I’ll be fine, thank you.”

“Let me see you to the car.”

Niamh took the offered arm. She’d go home and go to bed and sleep off whatever this was. Perhaps Alan was right about taking a day off sick.

In the end, Niamh took two days off sick. She knew she was worrying Jared from the comments he kept giving her, and she reluctantly agreed to the doctor’s appointment if the over the counter stuff he’d bought her didn’t do the trick.

****

Thursday morning, Jared loitered on the landing waiting for Niamh to finish in the bathroom. As the door opened, concern flooded him. She didn’t look any better. If anything, she looked worse. Huge bags under her eyes made her look gaunt. “This is silly,” he said. “I’m making you that doctor’s appointment.”

Niamh wiped a hand over her mouth. “It’s just stress.”

“Rubbish,” he told her bluntly. “It’s gone way beyond stress and being back at work. You’ve been sick every morning for almost two weeks now.”

A sudden thought struck him and he dismissed it just as quickly. She hadn’t gotten morning sickness the last time. In fact, she’d breezed through the entire pregnancy with never a twinge.

“Jared…”

“Don’t argue.” He took in her suit. “You’re not seriously going into work today?”

“It’s the opening day of the Jankowski case. I have to be in court.”

“Alan won’t let you.” If the situation weren’t so serious, he’d find the resoluteness in her face amusing.

“Alan won’t have a choice.” Her voice wavered for a moment. “Look, it’s not like I have to drive anywhere. And if I didn’t have court today then, yes, I’d stay home. Get the work faxed over or whatever. But you know how much a trial costs, and if we delay because I’m not feeling so good, it could be months before we get another date.”

“You got this one quickly enough.”

“Pre-trial stuff. Show we have the evidence and so on. See if he wants to plea bargain.” The color drained from her face. “Ohhh…”

Jared wrapped his arms around her. “I’m sure the others can handle it. You need to rest.”

“I’ll be fine.” She pulled out of his arms. “You worry too much.”

“I don’t want anything happening to you. That’s all.”

Her hand touched his face and he tried to quell the shards of heat, and longing. “Nothing will.”

“OK. I’m not in the station today. Doing inspections of schools and old people’s homes. Checking the smoke alarms work and so on.”

“That sounds exciting.”

“Oh, yeah, it is. Hundreds of kids and lots of little old ladies on zimmer frames. It’s not just you who has a thing for the uniform,” he teased trying to lighten the mood.

Niamh smiled at him. “Just tell them you’re taken and to go chase some other hunk in uniform. I’m sure you can’t be the only good looking man on green watch.”

He laughed. “They won’t listen.”

She tilted her head. “Maybe I should come check them out.”

“You’ll do no such thing.” He kissed her cheek. “Are you sure you’re going to be all right?”

“Yes. Now go.”

“I’m making that doctor’s appointment the first chance I get.” He held her gaze. “I mean it. You’ve got me really worried.”

Her expression softened. “I’m sorry. Since the car crash, everything’s been so weird. Maybe I should get checked out. Just to put your mind at rest if nothing else.”

Relief filled him, in part at least. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” She looked at the clock. “Jarrie, you need to run or you’re going to be late.”

He smiled and kissed her. “I’m gone.”

****

Niamh pulled open the door of the locker and reached in for her wig box. She pulled it out and wrinkled her nose. It was now more grey than white. She really ought to get it cleaned.

“That’s seen better days,” Toby joked. “Maybe it’s time for a new one.”

“Nah. I’ll get it cleaned.”

“I wouldn’t stick it in the washing machine. Wife did that to mine and it shrunk,” a voice chimed in from the other side of the robing room. “I ended up buying a new one, cost an arm and a leg. But then if you get this judgeship, you’ll need a new one anyway.”

“If,” she said doing up her tie. “It’s by no means certain I’ll even interview for it.”

“I thought it was all cut and dried,” Toby said. He adjusted his robes. “You wanted it, they wanted you. The interview is just a formality, surely.”

“That was before the car crash. Now, I’m not sure what I want.” She pulled out her robes, something white fluttering to the ground. She bent to pick up the folded piece of paper.

A wave of dizziness swept over her as she read the front. Her hands, suddenly numb and cold, dropped the paper and she fell into the locker.

“Hey…” Toby’s voice came from a long way off. Hands guided her to a seat and shoved her head between her knees. “Deep breaths. Someone see if there’s a doctor around. And find Judge Matheson.”

“I don’t need a doctor. Or the judge. I’m fine.”

“Stop arguing and just breathe.” Toby’s tone was harsher than she’d ever heard. Paper rustled, and she heard his sharp intake of breath. “And get Alan Reynolds from the CPS over here.”

Footsteps ran from the room.

Toby’s voice whispered in her ear. “That was another death threat, but I think you knew that. That ups the stakes if they are threatening you in here. We need to discuss with Alan and the judge where we go from here.”

“Closed court,” she whispered. “I’m sorry.”

“Not your fault.”

Deep, heavy footsteps echoed in the room, swiftly followed by Judge Matheson’s booming voice. “Philip Forrester said you needed me. Is something wrong?”

Niamh raised her head. Did she look as bad as she felt? She took the note from Toby and glanced at it, before offering it to the judge. “It was in my robes, in my locker. It’s not the first.”

Judge Matheson read it, his expression darkening. “Is Alan Reynolds on his way?”

Toby nodded. “Yes, My Lord.”

“Right. I want you both in my chambers now. Once Alan arrives, he can join us.” He turned to the security officer behind him. “The case in court number five. Keep the defendant in the cells until I say otherwise. And tell his barrister there is a four hour delay. If he wants a reason, tell him…” He broke off as the doctor came in.

Niamh shook her head. “I’m fine, really. I don’t need to see a doctor.”

“Well I’m here now,” the doctor said. He took her wrist.

She looked at Judge Matheson. “Just don’t tell the defense I’m sick.”

The judge grinned. “Tell Mr. Kingsman I’ve been unavoidably detained on a personal matter. I’m seeing to a sick friend. The case will be heard at two p.m.”

“Yes, Your Honor.” The security guard left.

“A sick friend?” Niamh asked. Maybe she really wasn’t well. Normally she kept up with the conversation much better.

He nodded. “You. You’re a friend and right now you’re not feeling so good.”

“Well, your pulse is fine, Mrs. Harkin. You look a little pale though.”

“Stomach flu. I’ll be fine.”

“Just take it easy for a bit.”

Judge Matheson’s voice boomed again. “No worries there, Doctor. She’ll be sat in my chambers for the next four hours drinking sweet tea and engaging in harmless chit chat.”

Niamh sat still as the doctor left. She took several deep breaths. “Is there anything else in my locker that shouldn’t be there?”

Toby checked. “No. Do you want me to ring Jared?”

“No,” she said quickly. “I’ll tell him tonight. No sense worrying him, too.” She stood and brushed her hands over her skirt. “I wouldn’t mind some of that tea actually, Your Honor.”

“Then let’s go find it. Alan will find us once I open the chocolate biscuits.”

18

Jared let himself into the house. “Hi, I’m home.”

Silence greeted him.

“Niamh?” He hung his coat on the wall hook and went into the kitchen. A tall male figure stood by the worktop, peeling potatoes. “Patrick, what’s going on? Where’s Niamh?”

“She’s sleeping.” Patrick glanced over his shoulder. “There was an incident in court this morning.”

Jared’s heart flip-flopped and stopped. “What? Is she hurt? Why didn’t anyone ring me?”

Patrick turned and held up a hand. “Take a deep breath before you hyperventilate. She’s fine. She’s not hurt. She’s sleeping because she’s sick, has been for a while according to Liam.”

“Yeah, stomach flu. I’m taking her to the doctor’s in the morning.”

“Good. She got another death threat this morning. This one was in her robes, in her locker at the Crown Court.”

Jared froze. “In the court building itself?”

“Yes. Needless to say, we’ve upped the protection. Hope you don’t mind a houseguest for a while.”

“You?”

“Yeah. And yes, I’m armed before you ask. I’m not going to let anything happen to her, Jared. I promise.”

“What about in court? You can hardly sit beside her.”

“She’ll be wearing Kevlar under her robes at all times. I’ll be in court, as will more court officers than usual. We’ve made the judges in charge of her cases aware of this and they’re on board with what we’re doing.”

“Good.” He let out a deep breath. “Is she all right?”

“Shaken, but you know Niamh.”

“She hides things, Patrick. She may not look bothered by this, but she is. I’ve heard her crying at night when she thinks I’m sleeping. I’ve gone in a couple of times, but she just clams up.”

“Then push it,” Patrick said bluntly. “Wait a minute. You guys still sleep in separate rooms?”

Jared nodded. “Yes, we—”

Niamh cut him off. “We are until the wedding.” She moved into the kitchen, sitting on Jared’s lap and sliding an arm around his neck. “Hey, you.”

Jared hugged her tightly. “Patrick told me about your day.”

“Horrible. Majorly horrible. How was your day?”

“Oh, full of adoring little old ladies on zimmer frames and kids all wanting to be firefighters.”

She nestled against him. “How many of the kids called you Sam?”

“Most of them.” He kissed her cheek. “You sure you’re all right, baby?”

“Now you’re here,” she whispered, closing her eyes, humming Fireman Sam quietly to herself.

Jared held her, listening to her breathing slow. He looked at Patrick.

“She’s been dozing on and off since she came home. That doctor’s appointment is a good idea. What time is it?”

“Ten o’clock tomorrow morning. I’ve got the morning off to take her.” He slid a hand through her hair. “It’s not like her to be sick. Even when she was pregnant with Dayna, she wasn’t sick at all. She was the envy of every woman in the ante-natal class. I’m hoping it’s just stress and nothing more serious.”

“Want to pray about it?”

“Please.”

Patrick sat beside him. Placing one hand on Jared and the other on his sister, he started to pray, handing the entire situation into the Lord’s hands.

****

Niamh came out of the ladies and crossed the doctor’s waiting room. She slumped back onto her seat between Jared and Patrick. “They didn’t call me, did they?”

“No.” Jared frowned, concern plastered all over him. “Look, maybe we ask for a home visit instead.”

“No, I’m here now.”

“Here in spirit perhaps,” he muttered. “You’ve spent more time in the loo than here in the waiting room with us.”

“On the floor next to the loo, not in it,” Niamh corrected.

He snorted. “You had to do that, didn’t you?”

She leaned her head on his shoulder. “Yeah, because you were expecting it, and I didn’t want to disappoint you.”

He kissed the top of her head. “I love you.”

“Love you back.” She paused. “And your front and your side and…” She broke off as the buzzer sounded. Her name flashed up on the screen. “That’s me.”

“Want me to come with you?”

Niamh shook her head. “I’m a big girl now. I won’t be long.”

“But—”

“No buts. You and Patrick can sit and talk while I’m gone.” She stood and headed through the door to the consulting rooms. She read the numbers on the doors and knocked on the one labeled six.

“Come in.”

Niamh opened the door and smiled. “Hello.”

Dr. Brown smiled at her. “Hello, Niamh. How are you doing?”

“Not great.” Niamh sat down and put her bag on the floor.

“You don’t look so good. How can I help?”

“I’m assuming its stomach flu, but it’s been going on for two weeks. I’m tired all the time, can’t keep anything down and my sense of smell is so heightened it’s untrue.”

“I see.” Dr. Brown reached out and took Niamh’s pulse. “How’s work going?”

“Stressful. Can’t say much, but yeah, lots and lots of stress.” She rolled up her sleeve and took a deep breath as the doctor did her blood pressure. “I haven’t eaten or drunk anything I’m allergic too. At least, I don’t think I have as Jared’s pretty good at stopping me.”

“Your blood pressure is up slightly, but if you’re stressed that would explain it. Let me run some blood tests. When was your last period?”

Niamh shrugged, wincing as the needle went into her arm. “Things haven’t been right since the car crash. Surgery, stuff going on at work, and I couldn’t tell you when the one before the car crash was.”

“Is there any chance you’re pregnant?”

Niamh shook her head. “No. I’m not married. Well, I am, but we’re not, we’re not sleeping together. And according to Jared, I wasn’t sick the last time.”

“OK. The blood tests should come back in about a week. I’ll ring you if there’s anything to be concerned about.”

“In the meantime what do I do? I can’t work like this, and I’m in the middle of a really big case.”