“We do not object, Your Honor,” the assistant district attorney said.
“If the clinic doesn’t want to press charges, then the Commonwealth won’t insist.”
“Well, isn’t this curious,” the judge said, turning his attention back to Maxissa and Wendy.
“Nolle prosequi! This certainly is a first in my court. But if no one wants to prosecute, then it behooves me to lessen the judicial burden of the Commonwealth by dropping the case. But before doing so, I intend to voice an opinion.”
Judge Burano leaned forward, studying the women.
“From the material I’ve gone over, it suggests to me that you two adults have been acting mighty irresponsibly, especially in your capacity as physicians. I don’t countenance such obvious disrespect for the law and for private property. The case is dismissed, but you two women should feel indebted to the Women’s Clinic for its generosity.”
Marissa felt a tug on her arm. She looked at Mr. Freeborn, who motioned for her to go. The clerk of the court was already calling out the case number for the next arraignment.
Confused but happy to be escorted out of the courtroom, Marissa waited until they’d reached the cigarette-smoke-filled hallway before speaking. Robert was directly behind her with Wendy and Gustave in tow.
“What happened?” Marissa demanded.
“Simple,” Mr. Freeborn said.
“Like the judge said, the clinic decided to be magnanimous and not press charges. The ADA went along with it. Of course we’ll have to negotiate the ‘reasonable’ compensation.”
“But other than that, it’s over?” Marissa asked. It seemed like the first good news she’d gotten in months.
“That’s right,” Mr. Freeborn said.
“What kind of compensation do you think it might involve?”
Robert asked.
“Not a clue,” Mr. Freeborn said.
Wendy put her arms around Marissa and gave her a big hug.
Marissa patted her back.
“I’ll call you,” Marissa whispered in her ear. Even with the charges dropped, Marissa knew Wendy would still be depressed.
Wendy nodded, then left with Gustave and their lawyer.
Robert conferred with Mr. Freeborn for a few more minutes.
Then the two shook hands and Robert escorted Marissa to their car.
“You girls were mighty lucky,” Robert told Marissa. as they pulled into traffic on the Monsignor O’Brien Highway.
“George had never heard of such a thing. I have to hand it to the clinic, that was pretty big of them, asking for the charges to be dropped.”
“It’s all a clever cover-up,” Marissa said.
Robert looked at her as if he’d not heard.
“What?”
“You heard me,” Marissa said.
“It was a clever trick to keep the public from finding out what kinds of beasts they employ for guards. It was also a good way to get us to drop our inquiries into this TB issue and maybe Rebecca Ziegler’s death.”
“Oh, Marissa!” Robert moaned.
“The judge doesn’t know any of the other details,” Marissa said.
“He doesn’t have any idea of the dimensions of this case.”
Robert beat the steering wheel with his fist.
“I don’t know if I can take this anymore.”
“Stop the car!” Marissa said.
“What?”
“I want you to pull over.”
“Are you getting sick?” Robert asked.
“Just do it.”
Robert glanced over his shoulder and pulled into the roundabout in front of the Science Museum.
Marissa opened her door, got out, and slammed the door behind her. She started walking. Confused, Robert lowered his window and called after her.
“What the hell is going on?” he demanded.
“I’m walking,” Marissa said.
“I need to be by myself. You’re driving me crazy.”
“I’m driving you crazy?” Robert called after her in disbelief.
For a moment he was indecisive. Then he muttered, “Jesus Christ!” Rolling up his window, he drove off without looking back.
With her hands shoved deep into her raincoat pockets, Marissa walked along the Esplanade that bordered the Charles River. It was another overcast day. The color of the river was gunmetal gray. Puddles dotted the walkway.
Marissa walked as far as the Arthur Fiedler-shell, then crossed over to Arlington Street. At the corner of Arlington and Boylston she took the T out Huntington Avenue to her pediatric clinic.
Marissa entered the building through a back door. She wasn’t interested in talking to anyone. With effort she climbed the fire stairs, then snaked through several exam rooms, making her way to her office. Closing her door, she didn’t bother to turn on her light. She was confident no one knew she was there, and as depressed as she was, she wanted to keep it that way.