you to discuss their treatment. Just who had an appointment and the time they arrived and departed your office. Whatever you tell me will be confidential.”
“I’m not explaining myself properly. It’s their appointment they wish to keep confidential. You must understand, women who meet with me, women of a childbearing age, people assume they are here to explore terminating their pregnancies, even if they are not pregnant. Visiting with me can be like having an ‘A’ branded on their forehead.”
“I’m telling you I will keep this information confidential.”
“But wouldn’t you be required to share this information with Detective Reylander? Can you guarantee he would treat this matter with discretion? I seriously doubt he would.”
He had her there.
“Then can you give me the name of the nurse? Isn’t there a nurse present during your examinations? If she can verify that you were with a patient or merely that you were at your office out in Madison at the time of the murder, we can eliminate you as a suspect. That is what you want isn’t it?”
“I’m afraid there was no nurse present.”
“But that’s standard procedure. Doesn’t the medical board insist that a nurse be present? Isn’t that a rule of your profession?”
“There are rules, and there are rules. This particular patient was very concerned about matters of confidentiality. She requested that I be the only one present at the office during her appointment. I acceded to her wishes. ”
“You know you could lose your license for this?”
She saw that weary look Lulu had talked about.
“I believe I considered the range of possibilities.”
“So, what? Losing your license isn’t a worry for you?”
“I’m afraid that other considerations took precedence. I’m sure you have been faced with similar choices in your line of work.”
He had her there too.
“I’m trying to help you Doctor Nicoletti, but if you choose to turn this into a debate...”
He took a final sip on the espresso, savoring it as though it might be his last.
“I’m not trying to be difficult. You asked if I had an alibi, and I do not. But thank you for your counsel.” He said it as if he was sorry for inconveniencing her. “There’s another matter we need to discuss. Your colleague, Detective Reylander has, I’m sure by now, ascertained that also I own a shotgun, the type he said was used in the murder. It’s in a locked gun case in my study. It won’t be hard to locate.”
He reached into his pocket, took out a leather key wallet, removed a small key, and handed it to her.
“I’m afraid Detective Reylander left before I could give him this. If you see him before he searches my house, please ask him not to break the glass case.”
She took the key, cupping it in her left hand.
“A 12-gauge? An over and under? That’s what he’ll find?”
“My only firearm. A Beretta, of course.” And again, that playful expression on his face.
“When was it last fired?”
“Yesterday morning. I went turkey hunting on some land I own, south of Yazoo City. I didn’t hit anything. I’m not a very good shot. Still, it’s invigorating to be out in nature, especially at dawn.”
“Anybody go hunting with you?”
“I prefer to hunt alone. Solitude is part of the pleasure.”
“You’re not exactly helping your cause, Doctor.”
“I also own a dark-colored SUV, which the Detective tells me is the sort of vehicle the shot came from.”
“Shots,” she said. “There were three.”
“I didn’t know. See, there, perhaps this ignorance will help my cause, as you put it.”
“You’ll need more than that. A lot more.” It was her last shot at rattling him, to try to make him open up.
“Have you had any children, Detective?” he asked out of the blue.
“No,” she said and wondered if he sensed how exposed she felt answering the question. “Why do you ask?”
“I’m sorry. How rude of me. I was merely curious. You seem like the kind of
“I’m not explaining myself properly. It’s their appointment they wish to keep confidential. You must understand, women who meet with me, women of a childbearing age, people assume they are here to explore terminating their pregnancies, even if they are not pregnant. Visiting with me can be like having an ‘A’ branded on their forehead.”
“I’m telling you I will keep this information confidential.”
“But wouldn’t you be required to share this information with Detective Reylander? Can you guarantee he would treat this matter with discretion? I seriously doubt he would.”
He had her there.
“Then can you give me the name of the nurse? Isn’t there a nurse present during your examinations? If she can verify that you were with a patient or merely that you were at your office out in Madison at the time of the murder, we can eliminate you as a suspect. That is what you want isn’t it?”
“I’m afraid there was no nurse present.”
“But that’s standard procedure. Doesn’t the medical board insist that a nurse be present? Isn’t that a rule of your profession?”
“There are rules, and there are rules. This particular patient was very concerned about matters of confidentiality. She requested that I be the only one present at the office during her appointment. I acceded to her wishes. ”
“You know you could lose your license for this?”
She saw that weary look Lulu had talked about.
“I believe I considered the range of possibilities.”
“So, what? Losing your license isn’t a worry for you?”
“I’m afraid that other considerations took precedence. I’m sure you have been faced with similar choices in your line of work.”
He had her there too.
“I’m trying to help you Doctor Nicoletti, but if you choose to turn this into a debate...”
He took a final sip on the espresso, savoring it as though it might be his last.
“I’m not trying to be difficult. You asked if I had an alibi, and I do not. But thank you for your counsel.” He said it as if he was sorry for inconveniencing her. “There’s another matter we need to discuss. Your colleague, Detective Reylander has, I’m sure by now, ascertained that also I own a shotgun, the type he said was used in the murder. It’s in a locked gun case in my study. It won’t be hard to locate.”
He reached into his pocket, took out a leather key wallet, removed a small key, and handed it to her.
“I’m afraid Detective Reylander left before I could give him this. If you see him before he searches my house, please ask him not to break the glass case.”
She took the key, cupping it in her left hand.
“A 12-gauge? An over and under? That’s what he’ll find?”
“My only firearm. A Beretta, of course.” And again, that playful expression on his face.
“When was it last fired?”
“Yesterday morning. I went turkey hunting on some land I own, south of Yazoo City. I didn’t hit anything. I’m not a very good shot. Still, it’s invigorating to be out in nature, especially at dawn.”
“Anybody go hunting with you?”
“I prefer to hunt alone. Solitude is part of the pleasure.”
“You’re not exactly helping your cause, Doctor.”
“I also own a dark-colored SUV, which the Detective tells me is the sort of vehicle the shot came from.”
“Shots,” she said. “There were three.”
“I didn’t know. See, there, perhaps this ignorance will help my cause, as you put it.”
“You’ll need more than that. A lot more.” It was her last shot at rattling him, to try to make him open up.
“Have you had any children, Detective?” he asked out of the blue.
“No,” she said and wondered if he sensed how exposed she felt answering the question. “Why do you ask?”
“I’m sorry. How rude of me. I was merely curious. You seem like the kind of
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