Free 1 A Paw-sible Theory by Anna Kern Page A

so my own neighborhood. The sidewalk café where Bob was to meet the defense attorney had several large potted plants to hide behind, one close enough for me to hear their conversation.
    “She’s going behind Alyx’s back and using Ethan to boot,” were the first words out of Bob’s mouth.
    “I’m glad you called with the information,” Hunter said after they shook hands.
    “I knew she couldn’t be trusted. I told Alyx the first time I met her that she was too good to be true. ”
    Hunter pulled out a notebook from his briefcase and placed it on the table. “What did you hear, exactly?”
    “Maggie said that, no, she didn’t get a chance to talk to Alyx again about the offer, and she said that Alyx was still mad at her for even considering moving the store to another location.”
    “What about Ethan, how is he involved?”
    “Maggie said that she hadn’t asked Ethan if he’d discussed it with his mother.”
    David Hunter leaned back in his chair, took a deep breath, and exhaled through pursed lips.
    “I took this case because I believe Ethan is innocent. I knew from the start that it was going to be a challenge. We all hoped his mother could clear him but now you tell me she doesn’t remember anything.” He pinched the bridge on his nose. “I don’t suppose you have any aspirin, do you?”
    “No, my wife usually carries that stuff in her purse.”
    “As I said, I believe Ethan is innocent, the prosecutor believes it’s an open and shut case and the evidence supports it. I’m afraid nothing short of a miracle is going to keep that young man out of prison. At this point, the only defense is to emphasize the good relationship between Ethan and his mother. The jury has to be convinced that he could not have committed the crime.”
    The server brought two iced coffees, placed them both in front of Hunter, and handed one to Bob.
    “Frankly, I’m having a tough time finding anything positive for Ethan,” noted the lawyer, “and depending on what he has to say, what you’ve just told me may turn out to hurt him rather than help.”
    Bob’s face registered confusion followed by disappointment. “How can it hurt him? It sounds to me like Maggie had a motive for wanting Alyx out of the way.”
    “That’s true. She may have had a motive and opportunity, but so did Ethan, and it’s his prints on the pot,” he stated. “I’m sorry; I know that’s not what you want to hear.”
    “No. I understand. I don’t like it, but I understand.”
    “At any rate, I’m going to see Ethan some time today. I’ll discuss it with him and I’ll take it from there. I’ll also tell him the good news that his mother has regained consciousness, and then I have to tell him the bad news that she doesn’t know who hit her.”
    David Hunter then told Bob that he was going to interview Alyx next, and in my zeal to get back to Alyx’s room before he did, I sprinted and accidently bumped into the next table, knocking an empty plastic cup off the table––I’m pretty sure Hunter saw me running away––if only my backside.

“I love little pussy, her coat is so warm, and if I don’t hurt her she’ll do me no harm.”
    –– Mother Goose rhyme

    CHAPTER EIGHTEEN:   A Morning Like Any Other Morning

    At the hospital, I was back at my post behind the screen in Alyx’s room.   As I peeked out her doorway, I saw David Hunter stopped at the nurse’s station, apparently asking the charge nurse if Alyx was well enough to interview.  
    “Dr. Casey’s instructions are that she can do what she’s able to, so let’s go to her room and see if she’s up to it,” I could hear the nurse say.
    As the lawyer followed the nurse to Alyx’s room, I quickly sneaked behind the screen again––just in time. Hunter walked through the doorway behind the nurse who strode directly toward the bed. Raccoon eyes looked up when the nurse gently touched Alyx’s arm. Her short brown hair was flat in the back, bangs sticking out in