The Mole in His Bed novel · Chapter 8 of 24

Chapter 8: Press Row

Paula held her press conference at noon on the courthouse steps.

The department had put out the notice at nine. By eleven every camera in Baltimore was standing in a row along the bottom stair.

Judith found me at the window of her office with my coat already on.

"No," she said.

"She stood up in front of the city yesterday and cried over a lie. I want to ask her one question in front of the same city."

"You're my only witness who can read Crane's ledgers."

"Then I'll be careful."

"You'll be a headline."

"I'm a headline either way."

Judith took her glasses off and rubbed her nose.

"I can't stop you," she said. "I can make you wear a vest."

I wore the vest under my jacket.

I came out through the side door into a crowd of reporters, and a woman with a microphone saw me first and said my name.

By the time I got to the steps the microphones had turned.

Paula stood at the lectern with the chief at her right shoulder and Neil one step behind him.

She wore navy and no jewelry, and she had her hair pinned back so her face looked young and tired.

She had her speech on a single card.

"I want to say, first, that I am glad Cora Tallant is alive," she said. "I mourned her for five years. I am glad."

The cameras clicked.

"I also want to say that the department grieves for every family who has heard these accusations against me this week. I don't blame Cora. I think she has been through something terrible."

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