EXCERPT FROM CHAPTER ONE Decisions, Decisions

Could that be who I think it is? I asked myself. I moved closer to the television screen to get a better look.

Shit! I cried out when the scene suddenly shifted.

I only had but a glimpse of him before two burly policemen led him away in handcuffs to a waiting car. His head bent in embarrassment, I almost didnt recognize him or think it was he except that I thought I noticed his wife in the background when the TV camera panned the area.

As the police pushed him down into the patrol car, she came forward and started to scream. It was not a very flattering shot of her - assuming that it was his spouse to begin with. She seemed a far cry from the attractive woman I knew to be his wife that I still was not convinced that the person the police had collared was whom I suspected.

I switched from channel to channel, trying to find a local news station that would be airing the story again, but as it had already appeared on the late evening news, I could find no further mention of it. Would it be in the morning newspaper? Somehow, I doubted this as the hour was late, and the Sun-Sentinel, I assumed, had already gone to bed; likewise, the Palm Beach Post.

After spending a fretful night tossing and turning, I awoke before dawn and rose from the couch where I had fallen asleep. I did not remember using the remote to shut off the TV but evidently I had.

Turning the set on again, I tried to catch the story on the early morning news. Maybe had I not been so impatient and left one channel on continuously as the news played out, I might have been successful in getting the tidbit of news that I was searching for. But it seemed I just missed the local coverage whenever I flipped to another channel.

Finally, at dawn, I slipped on my shoes and went outside to get the Sun Sentinel that had just been tossed onto my driveway by the newspaper delivery person whose van I heard pulling away. Although it was raining hard, the paper had not gotten soaked. The delivery person had thoughtfully put it in a double plastic bag. I vowed to show my appreciation by mailing him a generous Christmas present in the holiday envelope that he had inserted in the wrap.

Once inside my condo, I scoured the paper, pulling out the main and local news sections, discarding the rest. Perusing each page, I could find no mention of or reference to the report I had seen on TV the night before. As I half expected, the event had occurred too late in the evening to make the morning newspaper. Therefore, I was no better off than before, knowledge-wise.

But maybe I was wrong. Maybe the person was not whom I thought. Why was I letting myself get so worked up? Yet, I had a gut feeling that my first impression was right. And if he indeed turned out to be the individual whom I suspected, what then? Should I allow the situation to play out or come forward and reveal what I knew?

I struggled with my feelings, not knowing the proper course to take. I was cognizant enough to know, however, that there was nothing I ought or could do until I had more information. I just had to sit tight.

Calling my associate, I told him I did not feel well and would not be in that day. Aware that it was my day to receive new clients, I apologized and asked if he would mind handling Intake again. And would he also be good enough to contact the two people who had appointments with me and apologize for my having to cancel? As I did not know when I would be feeling better, I suggested that no new appointments be set up; I would call the clients directly to reschedule.

Whats wrong? my associate inquired. Can I do anything else for you?

I was purposely vague, saying that I just did not feel well, but my partner persisted in questioning me, wanting to know what was wrong specifically.

I dont think its anything serious. It must have been something I ate. I was up all night throwing up and running to the toilet, I fibbed. Maybe its one of those twenty-four hour virus things. Im certain Ill be all right. I just need to get some shuteye.

Well, okay. I hope you feel better. Call me if you need anything, my friend said, seeming to let it go at that. But just as I was about to hang up the phone, he asked, By the way, did you tell Mr. A.s son-in-law I would be taking over the case?

No, not yet, I responded. I was waiting to speak to him in person.

I need not have fibbed about running to the toilet as I felt my stomach churn when my associate brought up the subject of Mr. A. I cut short the conversation, saying I had another rush call. I certainly wasnt lying at that point.

Evidently, my partner had not heard nor seen the news. I again began to consider that maybe my eyes had deceived me after all and that it was not as it had seemed. How could I find out for sure without becoming personally involved? I just had to wait it out. Sooner or later, the story would unfold.