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"I met Merodie at Robert’s funeral," Cilia continued "I admit I disliked her immediately, and not just because she was so preternaturally beautiful I detest weakness, and Merodie eak--physically, mentally, eh I don’t believe alcohol gripped her quite as tightly then as it would in later years She told nancy, told me that her parents had disowned her and barred her froave it to her Not because I felt sy on my part I did it for the baby who probably would be the last of the St Ana line--Lord knows I have no intention of ever ave Merodie ainst the bar where Robert becaed to pay for her hospital care when the child was delivered A fewafter Merodie herself had turned a mere sixteen, the child was born Merodie’s labor was surprisingly quick and painless Fifty-seven minutes Exactly She had barely made it to the hospital in time The doctor said it was the smoothest delivery in which he had ever been involved He said it was ‘smooth as silk,’ and thus Silk was christened

"Afterward, I helped Merodie buy a house in Anoka," Cilia went on "I would check in on the two of them from time to time Merodie soon spent all the money she earned in the lawsuit She had become a fullblown alcoholic Several times over the years I forced Merodie into treato to two, perhaps three s and quit I tried to intervene several times to protect Silk Unfortunately, there was only so ally Eventually, Merodie became involved with a man who abused her I believe Eli Jefferson abused her as well She seeht that man passed out behind the wheel of Merodie’s car while it was parked inside her garage and died of carbonThe next day I took Silk home withcredit, never challenged this Not once in twelve years I believe she understood that Silk was better off with me That’s my only explanation for her actions, or rather, I should say, her lack of action In any case, I’ve been raising Silk ever since"

"You’ve been paying Merodie fifty thousand dollars a year for the privilege of raising her daughter," I said

Cilia reat deal more, believe me Would you care for more iced tea?"

"I’m not sure hoorks," I said, "but when your brother died, wouldn’t his daughter inherit his share of the St Ana fortune?"

"My goodness, McKenzie, but you’re cynical"

"Just asking"

"My brother didn’t share in the estate My father disinherited him shortly before he died It wasn’t punishment Father was one It was a fear I shared In any case, it’s a et everything She became my heir the moment I first set eyes on her"

"And Merodie?"

"I’ll always take care of Merodie"

"Is that a privilege as well?"

"It is a small price to pay Besides, over the years I have become rather fond of Merodie Despite hersoul"

I pulled a notebook froe, as his name?" I said

Cilia closed her eyes, scrunched her face and said, "Becker? Yes, Becker So Becker I can’t remember his first name Sorry"

I wrote "Becker" in o"

"You didn’t see her on August first?"

"When I delivered the check? No I knocked on the front door, but no one answered I went inside, called her name No one answered I left the check and departed I was there for less than two minutes"

"When did you arrive at Merodie’s house?"

"Early afternoon"

"How early?"