Free Born Innocent by Christine Rimmer Page A

invariably played the high-and-mighty lady of the manor any time he came near. “Mrs. Snow, I don’t think you realize the seriousness of this situation.”
    “ Yes, I do. Of course, I do. I know exactly what’s going on here. They suspect Claire of... shooting Alan Henson. But of course, since she didn’t shoot him, everything will work out fine.”
    “ Oh, will it?”
    ‘ ‘ Yes. Certainly. They will... investigate further and they’ll discover who really did this awful thing, and everything will be as it should be.”
    “ I’m glad you have such confidence in the system, Mrs. Snow.”
    “ Don’t be cynical with me, young man.”
    “ I’m only pointing out that—”
    Ella was waving her hand in that dismissive way of hers. “Never mind. We simply would like to be alone now. If you’ll just... be on your way.”
    A rueful smile played on Joe’s lips. “No,” he said gently.
    Ella gave a small start. “What did you say?”
    “ I said no. I’m staying here. With Claire.”
    “ Don’t be absurd. Claire doesn’t need you! I’ll be here.”
    Joe shook his head. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Snow. But she does need me right now. I don’t think you’ve looked at all the sides of this situation. Though we all know Claire didn’t shoot Henson, somebody did.”
    Ella was becoming indignant. “Well, of course, somebody did. I realize that. I’m not a fool.”
    “ I just want to. ..hang around for a while, that’s all. Until we know better what’s going on.”
    ‘‘ There is no need for you to ‘hang around,’ ” Ella insisted. “I will be here.”
    “ Mrs. Snow, in this situation, Claire could need more than her mother to watch out for her.”
    “ This is ridiculous.” Ella puffed out her already considerable bosom. “I suppose I’m going to have to be blunt with you. You are not wanted here. We want you to—”
    “ Mother.”
    Slowly, Ella turned to look at her daughter. “What is it, Claire?”
    “ Joe is staying.” The words were out almost before Claire realized she was going to say them.
    “ What?”
    Claire gathered herself and faced her mother. “I want him to stay.”
    After all, she told herself, Joe was right. Just watching him get rid of Brawley and Leven had made her realize how much she didn’t know about what was happening to her. If he was willing to help her out now, she wasn’t going to turn him down.
    Ella was sputtering. “B-but, Claire! You simply cannot let him—”
    “ Yes, I can. I’m in trouble, Mother. The kind of trouble someone like Joe knows all about.”
    “ I do not believe you’re saying this.”
    “ Believe it. It’s true.”
    “ I warn you, Claire. I will not stay here if he is here.”
    “ I understand.”
    Ella looked hurt and bewildered. She also realized she’d just trapped herself with her own ultimatum. “Well, then, I... I suppose there is nothing more to say.”
    Claire reached out. “Mother, I—”
    Ella jerked back. “No. Don’t try to placate me. I am firm on this.”
    “ So am I.”
    “ Well. Humph. That’s it, then.” Gray head high, Ella strode to the open front door. “Call me when he leaves.” And she was gone.
    Claire went to the door and watched her mother until she disappeared at the turn to Sierra Street. She could hardly believe what she’d just done.
    And she knew it could turn out to be a huge mistake. Her own motives were suspect. There was her own foolish love for Joe that simply refused to die—not to mention the baby he knew nothing about.
    Yet he was her friend. He was willing to help, and he’d come to her side when she needed him—just as she had for him not too long ago.
    Joe said from behind her, “She’ll be back.’ ’
    “ I know.” Claire turned to face him. He had moved away, toward the couch and chairs grouped tightly on one side of the wide lobby. “What now?”
    “ Got coffee?” He lifted a dark eyebrow at her. “I really didn’t go to bed last night.”
    She nodded. “Come on.