"What did you tell him?"
"Nothing. I said I answered the 911 call and you came along- down the mountain, not up from town like me-and we went down to the crash together." Lydia walked away from him, down the path to the beginning of the trail that led back to an area known as the Big Blue Wilderness. Dean followed.
"I can't lie for you, Lydia. You weren't at the scene when I arrived-I can say that much-but I can't say you didn't double back. I won't volunteer I heard a siren, but if I'm pressed, I won't deny it either."
"It doesn't matter. Fitzgerald will prove we're seeing each other and anything you say is a lie to protect your lover."
Dean was dumbfounded. "We're not seeing each other and we sure as hell aren't lovers!"
"The guy scares me and believe me, there are damn few guys who do that!"
"Did he actually say he thinks you caused Billy's death?"
"Not in so many words, but we both knew what he was suggesting. He made no bones about the fact that my ass is grass and he's a lawn mower. He's like holding it over my head. I think now that he knows you were on the mountain and you suspect something about the vodka, he realizes you heard the siren so he's setting it up to look like it was me, not him, who chased Billy. He knows he owns me. The son of a bitch will be in my bed whenever he damn well pleases." Dean looked at her. "Don't give me that look. Sex is a whole different ball game when it's not my idea. God, how did I get in this mess? I'd transfer out of this place if I didn't have to say why I was in such a hurry to leave. Not that Fitzgerald would let me go."
"Does this mean you're going to vote for me?" Dean said, a smile on his face.
She stared at him, ignoring his humor. "God, I hate men! I never met one who didn't somehow screw up my life!"
"Take it easy," Dean said. "He can't prove you chased Billy down the mountain any better than you can prove he did. I think he's bluffing."
"Yeah? Well, if I were you, I'd watch my back damn carefully. He hates your guts big time-your little wife, too. I understand she slugged him. I'd love to have seen that."
"Did Fitzgerald tell you Cynthia hit him?"
"No. I heard the state guys talking. They thought it was a hoot." There was a noise and she looked at her hip. "Damn, that's my pager!" She unfastened the instrument. "It's Fitzgerald. I gotta go." She turned to hurry back to her car as Dean followed.