Conviction of the Heart by Alana Lorens Page A

He just went to the office and stayed there late. But yesterday he came home before the children got off the bus, and he was furious.”
    “About you? We haven't sent him the papers yet.”
    “Rocco saw my car when I was here the other day. Greg accused me of having an affair when he left town.” Maddie began to cry, her throat choking with tears. Suzanne could barely understand her. “He took his gun out of his drawer a—and laid it on the table in front of him. He m—made me sit down at the table. God, I was scared. I knew I was going to die, and my kids would come in and see it.”
    Maddie's fingers shredded the worn hem of the lavender blouse. Suzanne set the box of tissues closer. Her mind clicked ahead into action. With a threat and an injury within the last twenty-four hours, she had grounds for the protection order. But first she should hear the rest of the story.
    “He looked at me across the table. He just stared. His eyes were like lasers. I thought I would burst into flames. He said, ‘No other man will ever have you. I'll kill you first, so you better not even think about it.'” A little whimper escaped her lips, and she covered them with her hands, as though it would keep her from telling too much. “Then he stood up and picked up the gun with his left hand. I was watching the gun, and I never saw his right hand coming at me. I went right off the chair.” She looked away. “I should have left then, but the children weren't home from school. I didn't want to go without them.”
    “That's a wise choice,” Suzanne said, “but we could always get the children later. If something happens to you first, you won't be there to care for them.”
    The silence stretched out, taut like a thread. Still Suzanne waited.
    Maddie reached for a tissue and wiped her face, patting her injured cheek with caution. A ragged breath spurred her to continue. “Greg wouldn’t leave. He sent me to my room. When the kids were ready for dinner, Greg ordered pizza and told them I had a headache. He was Mr. Wonderful Dad and they loved it.”
    “You didn't call the police?”
    “Not while he was home. I would have been dead before they arrived.”
    “Did you go to the hospital this morning?”
    Maddie shook her head. “I just wanted to see you. I asked my neighbor to drop me on Carson Street because my battery was dead. She thinks I'm at the dentist across the street.”
    “You must go to a doctor today, either yours or the emergency room, and get a medical record made of this.” Suzanne indicated Maddie's face. “I can take you now for your protection order.”
    Suzanne pulled out the file, showing Maddie both the protection order request and the divorce papers she’d prepared. Maddie had to take hold of her writing hand with the other to steady it while she signed the papers, but she did it. When she was done, she stared at the black scrawl, intently, like it was a poisonous bug or something dangerous.
    “Do we have to file for divorce?” she asked.
    “You said you were finished, Maddie. I support your decision. We might as well make it a package,” Suzanne advised. “Let the sheriff serve him with everything, divorce and all.”
    Indecision flitted across Maddie’s face, and Suzanne suggested she wash up and take a few minutes to pull herself together. When she returned, she appeared more composed, and even managed a faint smile.
    “Maddie, we ought to take pictures. If you haven’t already.”
    “Pictures?” Distress sucked blood from her face. “What for?”
    “For court. We might not have a hearing for ten days. By then, you won’t look like this anymore.” Suzanne reached for her Blackberry. “May I?”
    Stiff with shame, Madeleine Morgan pulled up her sleeves and let Suzanne photograph her from several angles. Suzanne finished as quickly as she could, feeling guilt at causing her client embarrassment. “I’ll get these printed. Are you okay?”
    Maddie nodded, not meeting her eyes.
    “Let's