Then why…〃 Mitch cut in。 〃That's
enough； Peter。 She's upset。 Is this necessary？〃
The lawyer called for a short recess and led Mitch from the room。
Anne bowed her head and put a hand to her forehead。 Inhaling deeply； she
tried to steady herself 〃Are you all right？〃 her father…in…law asked。
Her plea was a barely audible whisper。 〃I have to get out of here。 How
much longer can this go on？〃 She reached into her purse for a tissue to
wipe her eyes。
〃Not much longer。 Try to hold up； Anne。 Once this is over； you'll never
have to face it again。〃
In her heart Anne knew that the agony was just beginning； but she had no
time to dwell on it。 Mitch and his lawyer returned to their seats。
The lawyer said； 〃My client feels strongly that we have all the
information we need。 I have no further questions。〃
〃Excuse me；〃 broke in the man who had been introduced as counsel for the
manufacturing pany。 〃If you have nothing more to ask； I do。〃
His tone was ominous。 Clearly； he wasn't having his client go down
without a fight。
Simmons spared Mitch a glance before saying； 〃Certainly； Mr。 Parks； but
try to be brief Mrs。 Boulton is under a strain。〃 To Anne； he said； 〃Are
you up for a few more questions？〃
Anne dared a look at Mitch； but his expression was masked。 Angry at him；
angry at the world； she turned back to the lawyer and nodded。
Parks picked up where Simmons had left off。 〃On the matter of children；
we want to know why； after so many years of supposedly wanting them； you
never had them。〃
Anne stared at the man in astonishment。 She couldn't imagine any greater
invasion of her privacy than this。
Terr