Dr. Patterson said. "Oh, my God! Then she's - she's guilty?"
"No. Because I don't believe she was aware that she committed the murders. She was under the influence of one of the alters. Ashley had no reason to commit those crimes. She had no motive, and she was not in control of herself. I think the state may have a difficult time proving motive or intent."
"Then your defense is going to be that - " David stopped him. "I'm not going to defend her. I'm going to get you Jesse Quiller. He's a brilliant trial lawyer. I used to work with him, and he's the most - "
"No." Dr. Patterson's voice was sharp. "You must defend Ashley."
David said patiently, "You don't understand. I'm not the right one to defend her. She needs - "
"I told you before that you're the only one I trust. My daughter means everything in the world to me, David. You're going to save her life."
"I can't. I'm not qualified to - "
"Of course you are. You were a criminal attorney."
"Yes, but I - "
"I won't have anyone else." David could see that Dr. Patterson was trying to keep his temper under control.
This makes no sense, David thought. He tried again. "Jesse Quiller is the best - "
Dr. Patterson leaned forward, the color rising in his face. "David, your mother's life meant a lot to you. Ashley's life means as much to me. You asked for my help once, and you put your mother's life in my hands. I'm asking for your help now, and I'm putting Ashley's life in your hands. I want you to defend Ashley. You owe me that."
He won't listen, David thought despairingly. What's the matter with him? A dozen objections flashed through David's mind, but they all faded before that one line: "You owe me that." David tried one last time. "Dr. Patterson - "
"Yes or no, David."
Chapter Thirteen
WHEN David got home, Sandra was waiting for him. "Good evening, darling."
He took her in his arms and thought. My God, she's lovely. What idiot said that pregnant woman weren't beautiful?
Sandra said excitedly, "The baby lacked again today." She took David's band and put it on her belly. "Can you feel him?"
After a few moments, David said, "No. He's a stubborn little devil."
"By the way, Mr. Crowther called."
"Crowther?"
"The real estate broker. The papers are ready to be signed." David felt a sudden sinking feeling. "Oh."
"I want to show you something," Sandra said eagerly. "Don't go away."
David watched her hurry into the bedroom and thought. What am I going to do? I have to make a decision.
Sandra came back into the room holding up several samples of blue wallpaper. "We're doing the nursery in blue, and we'll do the living room of the apartment in blue and white, your favorite colors. Which color wallpaper do you like, the lighter shade or the darker?"
David forced himself to concentrate. "The lighter looks good."
"I like it, too. The only problem is that the rug is going to be a dark blue. Do you think they should match?"
I can't give up the partnership. I've worked too hard for it. It means too much.
"David. Do you think they should match?"
He looked at her. "What? Oh. Yes. Whatever you think, honey."
"I'm so excited. It's going to be beautiful."
There's no way we can afford it tf I don't get the partnership.
Sandra looked around the little apartment. "We can use some of this furniture, but I'm afraid we're going to need a lot of new things." She looked at him anxiously. "We can handle it, can't we, darling? I don't want to go overboard."
"Right," David said absently.
She snuggled against his shoulder. "It's going to be like a whole new life, isn't it? The baby and the partnership and the penthouse went by there today wanted to see the playground and the school. The playground's beautiful. It has slides and swings and jungle gyms want you to come with me Saturday to look at it. Jeffrey's going to adore it."
Maybe I can convince Kincaid that this would be a good thing for the firm.
"The school looks nice. It's just a couple blocks from our condo, and it's not too large think that's important."
David was listening to her now and thought, I can't let her down can't take away her dreams. I'll tell Kincaid in the morning that I'm not taking the Patterson case. Patterson will have to find someone else.
"We'd better get ready, darling. We're due at the Quillers' at eight o'clock."
This was the moment of truth. David felt himself tense. "There's something we have to talk about."
"Yes?"
"I went to see Ashley Patterson this morning."
"Oh? Tell me about it. Is she guilty? Did she do those terrible things?"
"Yes and no."
"Spoken like a lawyer. What does that mean?"
"She committed the murders... but she's not guilty."
"David - !"
"Ashley has a medical condition called multiple personality disorder. Her personality is split, so that she does things without knowing she's doing them."
Sandra was staring at him. "How horrible."
"There are two other personalities. I've heard them."
"You've heard them?"
"Yes. And they're real. I mean, she's not faking."
"And she has no idea that she - ?"
"None."
"Then is she innocent or guilty?"
"That's for the courts to decide. Her father won't talk to Jesse Quiller, so I'll have to find some other attorney."