Celia

I woke in the middle of the night to sounds in the apartment, and a light flicking on over George’s desk, where he sat hunched over his laptop. He was speaking into a microphone in Russian, his words sounding angry.

I sat up in bed and watched as George closed his laptop and came over to my bed.

"I hear from Hunter's lawyer. Hunter was taken in by police earlier in evening."

Adrenaline coursed through me once more and my heart pounded. "Do they think he killed Spencer?"

George nodded. "Yes. But I know he did not. He would not, Celia. That I know for true."

"He was really angry when he saw my neck," I said doubtfully. "He even said he wanted to kill Spencer."

George shrugged. "He says many things in anger, but he is soldier. Special Operations Forces. Hunter does not lose control."

"I hope you're right," I said and sighed. "At least we know he's alive. I was afraid someone killed him."

George nodded and rubbed his forehead. "He is alive. You go to sleep, now, Celia. You have had big shock. You need rest."

"I can't sleep," I said and wrapped my arms around my knees. "What time is it?" I glanced over to the bedside table and saw that it was three o'clock in the morning.

"When did they take him in? Has he been in custody all day?"

"I don’t know. They arrest him in Alexandria. That's all I know."

Oh, God… Hunter was arrested in Alexandria? That's where Spencer was murdered. It had to mean only one thing – Hunter killed Spencer.

"Spencer was killed in Alexandria."

"Hunter is not killer, Celia."

I wrapped my arms around myself, feeling sick that Hunter might have killed Spencer because he saw my injuries. "I hope he's okay."

"He will be fine," George said, nodding. "He is strong. Tough. You'll see. Lawyer will get him out and he will be home soon."

I lay back down when George left and tried to sleep, but it was a losing venture. Finally, I took out my cell and checked my texts one more time.

There was nothing from Hunter, of course. It was too early to text Amy so I spent an hour searching on Google for news about Spencer. Much was made of the fact he was supposedly investigating the Russian mob. Political pundits talked about his work prosecuting thugs in the mafia.

A reporter claimed that someone identified as a 'close family friend' said Spencer was targeted by the mafia. Who was that? I had no idea who the 'close family friend' was.

Was that the case? Spencer had brought in Hunter's uncle and charged him with several offenses under RICO. The Irish mafia, the Russian mafia, the Italian mafia…

I hoped that Hunter hadn't gotten any more mixed up in it than he claimed – just providing security for them, legitimate work.

Finally, an hour before dawn, I got up and had a shower, deciding that since I couldn't to sleep, I might as well start my day. After drying off and dressing, I went to the kitchen to pour myself some juice and think about what to eat. The sun was just starting to rise on the horizon; its warm orange glow reflecting off the water in the bay. It was beautiful, and I could have appreciated it, if only I’d known what was going on with Hunter.

I couldn't stop thinking about him, wondering if he really had killed Spencer. I would never have thought it possible, but he was so angry…

I'd seen the results of his anger before in the broken and bruised skin on his knuckles after he beat up Stepan. He hated Spencer so much more than he did Stepan. What if he'd lost control? George didn't think it was possible, but Hunter hated Spencer was almost as I did.

I spent the early part of the morning reading over journal articles and trying to distract myself from thoughts of Hunter, wondering when he'd finally call. At about ten, I called over to my Aunt Diane's to see how my mother was doing.

"She slept like a baby," Aunt Diane said softly. "She seems oblivious, frankly. I think she needs to have her meds checked and maybe the levels adjusted. She's on a pretty high dose."

"I know," I said and chewed a fingernail, feeling guilty that I hadn’t paid more attention to her over the past few years. "She becomes tolerant to the smaller doses, so they keep having to up the amount. I want her to cut back, but she says she can't tolerate the pain. What can you do?"

"She's a pain patient. For them, they're sometimes just as dependent on the thought of taking the drug as they are the drug itself. They structure their entire lives around the pain and it controls their every thought. She needs therapy, Celia."

I sighed. "I know. When this all settles down, we can talk with her, but she's resistant. Maybe now without Spencer around, we can get her to consider going into the hospital to get her meds adjusted."

"It's a deal. Once things are calmer, we'll have a family discussion. Speaking of family, how's Graham doing? He must be going insane stuck in the hospital for his rehab."

"I saw him last night, but I feel guilty I haven't visited as much as I'd like. He's doing well enough, getting better."

"That's good," she said, her voice sympathetic. "You can't be expected to do everything."

"I'll go over this morning and see him."

"Okay, sweetheart," she said. "You give him my love and tell him I'll drop in to see him later today when I know your mom is sleeping."

As we ended the call, George came over to my office space.

"How are you, Miss Celia?"

"I hardly slept. Did you hear from Hunter yet?"

He shook his head. "His lawyer calls me. Hunter is fine but is probably not going to get out for few days. Preliminary hearing is tomorrow so he stays in jail until then."

"What's the charge?"

"First degree murder," George said, and made a face. "So no bail."

"Do they really think he killed Spencer?"

George shrugged. "They must, but I know Hunter. He didn't kill."

"I hope you’re right," I said and finished packing my book bag. "Can you ask if James can take me to see my brother at the hospital? Then I have to go to class."

"Sure," George said and left me in my little cubbyhole of an office. I checked my email once more and found one from Hunter's lawyer, a Frank McNeal, with McNeal Crowe and Torrance, Attorneys at Law.

Ms. Franklin,

Hunter asked me to contact you on his behalf. He is currently remanded in custody at the county jail and will remain there until a grand jury is convened to determine if there is enough evidence to move forward with the case. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. If you would like to visit, I can arrange it but Hunter is only entitled to three visits a week and I know his father wants to visit as well. Let me know.

Yours truly,

F. J. McNeal, J.D.

I sent him back an email immediately:

Dear Mr. McNeal,

Thank you for writing me. Please arrange a visit as soon as you can. Thank you.

Celia Franklin

I went over to George's office. "I got an email from Hunter's lawyer. He'll be in custody until a grand jury is convened to consider the evidence. I asked him to arrange a visit so I can see Hunter."

"Oh, that's good," George said, obviously upset. "Hunter will be happy to see you. I get James to take you."

"Thanks. I'll let you know when I go."

He nodded and opened the door for me. I made my way down the stairs to the main floor where James was waiting with the SUV.