16 Nora“You were brilliant,” Nora said to Astrid, talking over the sound of hot water splashing into the porcelain sink.
Her star witness rinsed soap from her hands, producing a faint odor of flowers. Astrid turned off the faucet, and pulled a paper towel from the dispenser.
“I thought it went well,” she said to Nora. “You still prefer I disappear for a while?”
“Yes, please.” Nora grabbed her own towel, rubbed the rough paper over her hands, releasing the smell of damp cellulose.
“Franklin Endicott is up next,” she added. “I know you’d like to hear what he says. But we don’t know how he intends to play this.”
Astrid nodded. “You said earlier he might deny getting my call.”
“Or claim he has no recollection. Either way, later, during his cross-examination of you, you might be tempted t
