Page 14 (1/1)

"What’s the other part?"

His look was bleak Clearly, he felt he was equally to blame

There was a tap at the door and a Chicano woman with her hair in a braid appeared with a tray Her face was expressionless and she ave no indication of it She fussed around for a bit with cloth napkins and cutlery I alned off with a tip added in

"Thanks, Alicia," Bobby said

Sheand departed I felt uncomfortable that it was all so impersonal I wanted to ask her if her feet hurt like mine, or if she had a family we could talk about I wanted her to voice curiosity or dismay about the people she worked for, carted away on stretchers at odd hours of the day Instead, Bobby poured the wine and we ate

The azine Plump quartered chicken served cold with a mustard sauce, tiny flaky tarts filled with spinach and a ss of parsley tucked here and there Two small china boith lids held an icy tomato soup with fresh dill clipped across the surface and a little dollop of creme fraiche We finished with a plate of tiny decorated cookies Did these people eat like this every day? Bobby never batted an eye I don’t knohat I expected him to do He couldn’t squeal with excitement every tiuess I wanted him to marvel, as I did, so I wouldn’t feel like such a rube

By the tiuests were gone The house see up the living room in silence as we passed Bobby led us to a heavy oak-paneled door across the wide hall He knocked and there was a murmured response We went into a slass on the end table at her right hand She’d changed into chocolate-broool slacks and a rate The walls were painted toainst the chill dusk In Santa Teresa, ardless of the month This room felt cozy, an intis and chalk-white stucco walls

Bobby sat down in the chair across from his mother "Has Derek called yet?"

She closed her book and set it aside "A few o She’s pulled out of it She had her sto her as soon as she’s out of ened"

I glanced at Bobby He lowered his face into his hands and sighed once with relief, a sound like a low note on a bagpipe He shook his head, staring down at the floor

Glen studied hio on to bed? I’ll want to talk to Kinsey alone anyway"

"All right I ht as well," he said The slur in his voice had become pronounced and I could see now that the fine h stiue apparently exacerbated his disability He got up and crossed to her chair Glen took his face in her hands and stared at hie in Kitty’s condition," she murmured "I don’t want you to worry Sleep well"

He nodded, laying the good side of his face near hers He ," he said to ait for a

Chapter 5

I sat in the chair Bobby had vacated The down-filled cushion was still war ht, I could see that her hair color was the handiwork of an expert who’d matched it al about her was beautifully coordinated: , accessories She was apparently a person who paid attention to detail and her taste was impeccable

"I’m sorry you had to see us like this"

"I’ivesmy bills or will you?"

The question caused her to focus on ht a considerable intelligence to any htly

"He will He came into his trust when he enty-one Why do you ask?"

"I like to knoho I’ about his clai to kill him?"