"Why don't I believe you?" she spat. "Tell me you think Jeffrey is dead!"
It was the question Dean didn't want to hear. Dean spoke so softly she hardly heard. "I can't say that for sure, but only because there's no direct proof-only circumstantial evidence." She turned her head to the window. He could see her reflection, but not the look in her eyes. "Some questions just don't have answers-maybe never will." He paused. "Look, let me do this my way. I promised you I'd investigate this as thoroughly as I could. It doesn't mean I'm going to screw up your world with every little suspicion and insignificant detail that crops up. If there was any factual evidence..."
"I hate it when you talk down to me like that. No one should have to go through this, no one...." She turned and looked at him, fire in her eyes. "What are you keeping from me? Are the police still..."
"The case is closed. The police aren't investigating any part of it-here or Norfolk."
The lights of a turning car caught the look in her eyes. "But you are, aren't you? There's something you're not telling me- maybe lots of things." He bent his head back on the seat and closed his eyes but he didn't answer. How could he? "Why won't you just tell me?"
He looked at her. "I can't. There's nothing to tell."
She closed her eyes. "You mean you won't." He didn't answer and silence dragged on. Then she said, "If you believe there's a chance Jeff's alive you'd have to consider I might be a part of it."
"No, Cynthia...."
She turned to him with fire in her eyes. "I can't see you anymore, David. I can't. I can't go through this. I don't know what's going on. I don't know who to trust-who to believe. Maybe I'm not smart enough to understand it but I deserve to know. It's just...it's just not fair!"
"Cynthia, please..."
"No-please." She breathed deeply. "I need to be alone." Once again they were both silent.
Finally, Dean was the first to speak. "I'll make sure Arthur Atherton doesn't bother you. The bar association should dump him." He reached for the door handle. She didn't try to stop him. He turned back as he stepped from the car. "Will you be all right? Are you sure you want to stay down here?"
She turned to look at him and answered, coldly. "Yes. I don't want to be home tomorrow when that man calls. I'll drive back tomorrow night; I have to be at work on Monday." She added, "I have a life to live-regardless."