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

front, but she didn’t seem to care.
    “There’s a David Hunter here to see you. Are you up to answering some questions?”
    At first, Alyx looked at the man blankly.
    “I’m Ethan’s attorney, Ms. Hille.”
    When she realized who he was, she brought her bed up to a sitting position and told the nurse that, yes, she’d be glad to speak to him. “I saw you on the news, the day someone sent me into oblivion. I liked what you said.”
    Hunter inquired after her health and started right in.
    “Before you tell me exactly what happened, I want you to think back to a few days before you were hit. Did you see anyone loitering around your house or your store? Anyone or anything that gave you pause?”
    Alyx closed her eyes and slowly shook her head. I was worried about my human. She looked so tired.
    “All right, now think carefully and tell me what happened Saturday morning before you blacked out. Tell me everything you saw or heard, no matter how unimportant a detail. What you might think routine may be a clue for me.”
    Alyx took a deep breath. “I was up early. I made a pot of coffee and went out to get the paper. I put the breakfast items I needed on the counter, and sat at the kitchen table to read the paper while waiting for Ethan and Maggie to show up. I’d called them the night before and invited them over for breakfast...I owed Maggie an apology. I had reacted very badly to her suggestion that we should discuss the offer to sell our building and move Antiques & Designs somewhere else. And I had asked Ethan to come over because I wanted to talk to him about his spending habits in a calmer way than I had previously done––this time I had some concrete suggestions to offer.” She leaned over for a sip of the water sitting on the bed tray. “I didn’t see or hear anyone come in. That’s all I know, until I woke up here.”
    “Did you leave the door unlocked when you went out for the paper?”
    She gave it some thought. “I don’t know.”
    “Okay. You were sitting at the table; maybe you looked out your window; what did you see?”
    She closed her eyes again. “No, nothing. There was no one out there.”
    “All right; let’s try it again. You were sitting at the table, the paper in front of you; you took a sip of coffee. What did you hear?”
    “I was alone. I didn’t have the radio or television on. The cats were being cats. You know, chasing around the house, jumping on things.” She rubbed her forehead. “I’m sorry. There’s just nothing there––I don’t know if I don’t remember or there’s nothing to remember.”
    “Are you sure you didn’t see or hear a car come up your drive?” he asked.
    “No, but I did get up from the table at one point. I heard scratching noises in the guestroom; I looked in and saw one of the cats trying to keep from falling off the back of the wicker day bed. She’s a little clumsy at times,” she added with a smile.
    “Someone could have driven up then and you wouldn’t have heard or seen them, right?”
    “No, I guess not, but I was just in the doorway for a minute. Why is this important?”
    Before he answered, he squinted and rubbed his forehead. “Earlier today, I received a call from the Prosecutor. He said a witness had come forward, a neighbor down the street. He said he stepped outside to get his paper and he saw an SUV the same make and color your son drives, backing out of your drive about ten minutes before your son said he arrived.” I felt my fur rise when I heard this.
    Alyx too seemed to tremble at the import of that accusation. “I stand by what I said. My son is innocent; he would never hurt me or anyone else for that matter. Please help him,” she implored, her eyes clouded, and she tried hard not to lose control.
    David Hunter covered her hand with his and then abruptly removed it. “I believe Ethan is innocent and I will do the best I can for him.” He cleared his throat and continued, “You said you were going to speak to