He had no connection to this woman other than her connection to his wife, but he still cared about what would happen in her sorry life. Maybe this was because of Meri…maybe he saw Meri in the same down and out place this girl was in, if he and Meri hadn’t found each other. His wife would have never survived a Hugo and his boys…or Jimmy Peralta and all the worthless swine that used women the way they’d used Lydia. Lydia herself was just barely hanging on. Maybe one caring man, one punishment would change her. He could only hope.
With the punishment over, Lydia’s emotion seemed to let loose. Alain could hear her crying softly as she remained draped over the side of his desk.
He let her cry for a time, then finally said, “You can go now,” bringing the girl back to her senses. Lydia hesitate
