In Hot Water - Mary Baxter Lynn

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had done could be forever life-changing. They had already been life-altering.

      If her husband failed to get control of his problem, then she… Maci refused to think about that. Seymour would mend his broken life and emerge a stronger, healthier individual. She had to hold on to that thought. Anything else was too painful to pursue.

      Jonah stirred again prompting her to place him in his crib. That done, Maci glanced at the Waterford clock on the table and realized that Seymour should have already been home. She knew Annie, the housekeeper, had their brunch ready. And so did Seymour. Maci frowned, trying not to panic. Most of the time her mind was her own worst enemy.

      Still, she couldn’t settle the disquiet that accompanied her downstairs. After passing Liz who was on her way back to Jonah, Maci made her way into the breakfast room. She was startled to find her husband.

      No one would ever guess Seymour’s secret by looking at him.

      His charming demeanor and handsome features persuaded many to believe in him.

      He was tall and lean with silver hair that showed no signs of thinning. His deep-set green eyes seemed to smile when he did. But his pride and joy was his body. He kept it in tip-top condition by working in their gym at home as well as one at an exclusive country club.

      “You’re just in time, my dear.” Seymour smiled and pulled out her chair. “Annie’s just about to serve us.”

      “I didn’t know you were home,” Maci said inanely, feeling herself staring at him, looking for signs that he was using again. She couldn’t believe such horrible terminology popped into her mind much less applied to any part of her life. The idea seemed to sully everything around her.

      If Seymour noticed her reaction, he didn’t let on. Instead, he smiled and asked, “How’s my son?”

      Clearly he wanted to pretend nothing out of the ordinary had happened, even though they had had the sharpest disagreement of their marriage. Momentarily her temper flared, but she held it under wraps. Maybe his way was the best way. Holding a grudge definitely wasn’t the answer.

      Maci released a sigh. “He’s great, as always.”

      “I started to come up, but Liz told me you were rocking him.” Seymour shrugged. “I figured he’d be asleep.”

      Maci sat down and the buxom housekeeper served their food. After taking a sip of almond-flavored tea, she glanced at Seymour. “How was your morning?” she forced herself to ask, still having difficulty pretending everything was normal.

      Seymour touched his mouth with the white linen napkin, then smiled. “Fine. Another normal surgery day. One stacked on top of the other. How ’bout you?”

      “Same here. I called on a new client who I think will turn into a gold mine. Shortly, I’m headed to Bobbi’s.”

      “How’s that project coming?”

      Maci played with her chicken salad. “Down to the wire, actually.”

      Bobbi Trent was her best friend turned client. As a divorcée, she was trying to adopt a baby. Maci felt driven to get Bobbi’s house refurbished before the agency called her to say that they had located a child for her.

      “I just wish you wouldn’t work so hard.”

      “I know,” she said softly but with determination. “You also know how important it is for me to keep my independence.” Especially now, in light of the circumstances, she was tempted to add, but didn’t. There was no point in fueling an already simmering fire.

      “You’re right, and I’m sorry, my dear. There’s no point in my belaboring the point. Besides, I just want you to be happy.”

      “I am, Seymour. Or at least I—”

      The chiming of the doorbell aborted her sentence.

      “Are you expecting anyone?” Seymour asked.

      “No. Are you?”

      He shook his head just as Annie appeared in the doorway, a perplexed frown on her face. “I’m sorry to disturb you,” her eyes turned to Seymour, “but there are two gentlemen here who insist on speaking to you.”

      Putting down his napkin, Seymour stood. “Tell them I’ll be right there.”

      “Don’t bother, Doctor, we decided to come to you.”

      The taller of the two men had made that declaration and now strode over to Seymour. He had a stern look on his face.

      “And who are you?” Maci demanded, furious with their blatant intrusion and total lack of manners.

      “I’m Detective Greg Johnson,” the short, stout one said. “And this is my partner, Detective Oscar Ford.” They both flipped open their badges.

      Maci was glad she was seated as every muscle in her body weakened.

      Johnson’s gaze whipped to Ramsey. “Doctor, we have a warrant for your arrest. The charge is criminally negligent homicide in the death of your patient, Grant Dodson. Cuff him, Ford.”

      Maci gasped in shocked horror at the same time Seymour’s tanned skin turned deathly white.

      Three

      Keefe Ryan looked like what he was—a socially inept attorney. He was short, bald, wore black-rimmed glasses and there was nothing attractive about him or his personality. Maci had always considered him to be the most boring man she’d ever met.

      Yet when he walked into the police station, she had never been so glad to see anyone. She would never think ill of Keefe again.

      In the process of being led out of the house by the two officers, Seymour had barked an order for her to call his attorney. She had waited until she was on her way to the station to do so. By then her mind had cleared somewhat, and she could punch in Keefe’s number on her cell phone.

      He appeared now as composed as ever, dressed as impeccably as ever, though she knew he wasn’t. Maci had observed a little tick in Keefe’s right cheek when he was under stress and that tick was present as he made his way toward her.

      Maci had been told to take a seat in the outer lobby and that the chief would be with her shortly. So far, shortly had not come, giving her plenty of time to observe the police station. This afternoon there was a lot of activity. Phones rang while officers and other personnel scurried about. Although she had received several curious glances, no one had bothered to speak to her or ask if she wanted or needed anything.

      She couldn’t believe she was here. The horrendous circumstances made the situation even more demoralizing.

      When the press learned of this…

      “Maci, what the hell is going on?”

      She turned her attention back to Keefe. She had never heard him say anything that resembled a curse word. But then she’d never seen him this flustered. His features were pinched and he was out of breath.

      Despite the fact that Seymour could be overbearing at times, he and Keefe seemed to have a genuine friendship. While Keefe handled mostly taxes, he had at one time practiced some family and criminal law. So he wasn’t completely out of the loop when it came to helping Seymour. Maci never doubted Keefe had Seymour’s best interest at heart. If he wasn’t the one for the job, he would find someone who was.

      “Seymour’s been arrested,” Maci said, hearing the tremor in her voice. She hadn’t bothered to tell Keefe what was going on beforehand. She had simply told him that Seymour needed him and to meet them at the police station. She’d hung up with Keefe still asking questions.

      Keefe’s face now drained of its remaining color. “That’s preposterous.”

      “It’s a fact,” she countered flatly.

      “Are

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