Chapter 20: Unclaimed

The visiting room at the county jail had eight stools bolted to the floor in front of a long pane of scratched glass.

I took the one at the end, and a deputy told me I had ten minutes.

They brought Desmond in on the other side.

He wore the orange the county gave him, and his hair had not been combed. I had never seen him without a collar.

He sat down and picked up the phone on the wall.

I picked up mine.

"Natalie." His voice came thin through the line. "Thank you for coming."

"You have ten minutes."

"I know. I know." He rubbed his face with both hands. "I didn't sleep."

I said nothing.

"It was Jocelyn," he said. "You have to understand that. She planned all of it. I just did what she said."

"You said it was a joke."

"I was frightened. She had me, Natalie. She had me in her pocket for eight years. She said you'd always be in the way."

"She said that, and you went along."

"I'm saying I was weak."

He leaned forward until his forehead nearly touched the glass.

"Let me see Junie. Once. Please. I'll sign anything. I've signed the divorce, I'll sign over the firm, whatever you want."

"I know. My lawyer has your signature."

"Then let me see her."

"No."

"She's my daughter."

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