Its time. Having the Farriers rent the place all these years let me drift, but when they decided to move, I knew I had to do something about the house.
You wont be here long, then. She was aware of a sense of relief. He would go away, and the terrible wound of Annabels death would skin over again.
His brows lifted. Are you eager to see the last of me, Dinah?
No. He was making her feel like that awkward teen again. I just assumed youd be in a hurry to get the house on the market and go back to your life, especially with the holidays coming.
The holidays, he repeated, something a little wary in his voice.
I suppose you and Court have all sorts of plans for Christmas. She was talking at random, trying to cover her embarrassment.
Well, hes past the Santa stage, but he still gets excited.
Does he? For a moment she had a vivid image of the three-year-old hed beenbig dark eyes filled with wonder at the smallest thingsa butterfly in the garden or a new puzzle shed bought him, knowing how much he loved working them. Id love to see him.
Again the words came out before she considered. Marc had made his wishes clear all these years, limiting their contact to cards and gifts. Just because hed come back didnt mean anything had changed.
Youll get your wish, Marc said abruptly. Hes over at the house now, unloading the rental car.
She could only stare at him. Youve brought Court here, to the house where She stopped, unable to say the words.
You think Im crazy to bring Court back to the house where his mother died. Marcs voice was tinged with bitterness, but he could give voice to the thought she couldnt.
Im sorry. She sought refuge in platitudes. Im sure you know whats best for your son.
Do I? Vulnerability suddenly showed in his normally guarded eyes, disarming her. I wish I were sure. I thought I knew. I thought the best thing for Court was a whole new life, with nothing to remind him of what hed lost.
So you kept him away from us. Did he have any idea how much that had hurt?
Away from you, away from this place.
Marc surged to his feet as if he couldnt sit still any longer. He stalked to the window, then turned and came back again. The room seemed too small for him. He stopped in front of her.
I did what I thought I had to, he said uncompromisingly. And it worked. Court was a normal, bright, happy kid, too happy and busy to worry about the past.
She caught the tense. Was?
Was. He sat down heavily.
She waited, knowing hed tell her, whatever it was. She didnt want to hear, she thought in sudden panic. But it was too late for that.
Maybe this would have happened anyway, he said slowly, sounding as if he tried to be fair. Hes thirteenits a tough age. But when school started in September, one of his teachers assigned a writing project on family history. He started asking questions.
About Annabel.
He nodded. About her, about her family. About our life here in Charleston. He became obsessed. He stopped, as if hed heard what he said and wanted it back. Not obsessedthats not right. I dont think theres anything unhealthy about it. Hes curious. He wants to know.
She swallowed, feeling the lump in her throat at the thought of Annabels child. I remember. He was always curious.
Yes. His face was drawn. He has to know things. So he told me what he wanted for Christmas.
He paused, and she had a sense of dread at what he was about to say.
He wanted to come back to Charleston. Thats all he asked for. To come back here and have Christmas in the house before I sell it.
And you said yes.
What else could I do? He leaned toward her, his dark eyes focusing on her face, and that sense of dread deepened. But its more complicated than I thought.
What do you mean?
His hand closed over hers, and she felt his urgency. I realized something the moment I saw the house againrealized what Ive been evading all these years. I have to know the truth about Annabels death.
He had shocked Dinah, Marc realized. Or maybe shock wasnt the right word for her reaction. His years as a prosecutor had taught him to find body language more revealing than speech, and Dinah was withdrawing, protecting herself against him.
Protecting. The word startled him. Dinah didnt have anything to fear from him.
He deliberately relaxed against the back of the chair, giving her space. Wait. See how she responded to that. See if she would help him or run from him.
He glanced around the room with a sense of wonder. It hadnt changed since the days when hed come here to pick up Annabel, and hed thought it caught in a previous century then. Clearly Kate preferred things the way they had always been.
But Dinah had changed. He remembered so clearly Annabels attitude toward her shy young cousina mixture of love and a kind of amused exasperation.
Shes such a dreamer. Annabel had lifted her hands in an expressive gesture. Shes impossibly young for her age, and I dont see how shes ever going to mature, living in that house with Aunt Kate. Lets have her here for the summer. She can help out with Court, and maybe I can help her grow up a little.
His heart caught at the memory. I feel it more here, Lord. Is that why I had to come back?
Dinah had certainly grown up. Skin soft as a magnolia blossom, blue-black hair curling to her shoulders, those huge violet eyes. He couldnt describe her without resorting to the classic Southern clichés. Charleston knew how to grow beautiful women.
Dinah seemed to realize how long the silence had grown. She cleared her throat. I dont know what you hope to accomplish at this late date. The police department considers it an unsolved case. Im sure someone looks at the file now and then, but The muscles in her neck worked, as if she had trouble saying those words.
Theyve written it off, you mean. I havent. He wasnt doing this very well, maybe because he hadnt realized what he really wanted until hed driven down the street and pointed out the house to his son. Court hasnt.
Dinahs hands were clasped in her lap, so tightly that the skin strained over her knuckles. Theres nothing left to find after ten years. No one left to talk to about it.
Theres you, Dinah. You were there.
Her face went white with shock, and he knew hed made a misstep. He shouldnt have rushed things with her, assumed shed want what he wanted.
She pushed the words away with both hands. I didnt see anything. I dont know anything. You, of all people, should know that.
A vivid image filled his mind, fresh as if it had happened yesterdayDinahs small form crumpled on the staircase of the house across the street, black hair spilling around her. Hed found her when hed come home in the early hours of the morning from a trip to track down a witness in one of his cases.
Hed rushed downstairs to the phone, shouting for Annabel, and seen the light in the parlor still burning. Hed pushed open the half-closed door
No. He wouldnt let his thoughts go any farther than that. It was too painful, even after all this time.
I know that you fell, that you had a concussion. That you said you didnt remember anything.
No. He wouldnt let his thoughts go any farther than that. It was too painful, even after all this time.
I know that you fell, that you had a concussion. That you said you didnt remember anything.
I didnt. I dont. Anger flared in her face, bringing a flush to her cheeks that wiped away the pallor. If I knew anything about who killed Annabel, dont you think Id have spoken up by now? I loved her!
The words rang in the quiet room. They seemed to hold an accusation.
I loved her, too, Dinah. Or dont you believe that?
She sucked in a breath, as if the room had gone airless. Yes. The word came out slowly, and her eyes were dark with pain. I believe you loved her. But theres nothing you can do for her now. Shes at peace.
The rest of us arent. His jaw tightened until it was difficult to force the words out. Court knows I was a suspect in his mothers death. My son knows that, Dinah.
Oh, Marc. The pity in her face was almost worse than her anger had been. Im sorry. Surely he doesnt believe you did it.
He says he doesnt. He tried to look at the situation objectively, as if he were a prosecutor assessing a case again. Most of the time I think thats true.
But what if there was a doubt, even a fraction of a doubt? Could he stand to see his close relationship with his son eroded day by day, month by month, until they were polite strangers?
Im sorry, she said again, looking at him as if she knew all the things he didnt say. I wish I could help you. I really do. But I dont know anything.
He studied her troubled expression. Dinah certainly thought she was telling the truth, but there might be more to it than that. Shed been there, in the house, that whole summer. There far more than he had been, in fact. If thered been any clue, any small indication of trouble in the events of that summer, Dinah could have seen.
He wouldnt say that to her, not now. Hed shaken her enough already, and if he wanted her cooperation, hed have to step carefully.
I understand. He stood, seeing the relief she tried to hide that he was leaving. He held out his hand to her. After a moment she rose, slipping her hand in his. Hers was small and cold in his grip. But you can still be a friend, cant you? To me and to Court?
She hesitated for a fraction of an instant before she produced a smile. Of course. You must know that.
Good. He made his voice brisk, knowing he had to pin her down while he could. Come and see us tomorrow. We should be settled enough by then to entertain a guest. I want you to meet Court.
Again that slight hesitation. And then she nodded. Ill see you tomorrow.
It wasnt much, but it was enough to start with. If Dinah knew anything, eventually hed know it, too.
Two
I just wish you wouldnt go over there. Aunt Kate followed Dinah to the front hall the next day as if shed bar the door.
Dinah stopped, managing a smile for her great-aunt. I wish I didnt have to. She hadnt told Aunt Kate about Marcuss intention of looking into Annabels death. That would only distress her more.
Well, then
I must, dont you see? Obviously Aunt Kate didnt, or they wouldnt be having this conversation again. Youre the one who taught me about the importance of family.
Aunt Kates lips pursed into a shape reminiscent of a bud on one of her rosebushes. Marcus Devlin is not a member of our family.
Annabel was. She struggled to say the words evenly.
Aunt Kates eyes misted. Does he know you havent been in that house since Annabel died?
No. And youre not to tell him. She clutched Aunt Kates hand. Promise me.
Of course, dear. But if it bothers you that much, its all the more reason not to become involved with Marcuss visit.
This isnt about Marcus. I have to go over there for Courts sake.
Aunt Kate gave in at thatshe could see it in her eyes. It was a good thing, because Dinah couldnt bear to argue with her.
I suppose if you must, you must. She touched Dinahs hair lightly. Youre as stubborn as I was at your age.
Ill take that as a compliment. She bent to kiss her aunts cheek.
Well deal with the gossip somehow, I suppose. Her aunt tried one last volley.
Darling, you know theyll gossip anyway. What I do or dont do wont change that.
I suppose. Its just She caught Dinahs hand as she opened the door. Be careful, Dinah. Please.
The intensity in her aunts voice startled her. Careful of what?
Marc. Just be wary of Marc. There may be more to his return than hes telling you.
Dinah could think of nothing to say to that. She slipped outside, closing the door quickly.
Aunt Kate, through some instinct, seemed to know more than shed been told. Marcus did have an agenda, and it certainly wasnt one of which Aunt Kate would approve.
Well. Dinah stood on the piazza for a moment, pulling her jacket a little tighter around her. How had Aunt Kate stumbled upon that? Had she sensed something from Dinahs reaction?
Shed tried to hide her feelings after Marc had left the previous day. This idea of his that hed look into Annabels deathwell, it might be understandable, but she couldnt help him. She had to make him see that.
She went out the brick walk to the gate in the wrought-iron fence that enclosed Aunt Kates house and garden. The gate, like most of the others on the street, bore a wreath of magnolia leaves in honor of the season.
She touched the shining leaves. Maybe Court would like to make one, if he was determined to observe a real Charleston Christmas. Charlestonians were justifiably proud of their Christmas decor.
Crossing the quiet street, she had to will her steps not to lag. She took the step up to the curb, facing the gate in the wrought-iron fence. Marcs gate was similar to Aunt Kates, but the black iron was worked into the shape of a pineapple in the centerthe traditional symbol of Southern hospitality.
The house beyond, like Aunt Kates and most other old Charleston houses, was set with its side to the street, facing the small garden. According to local lore, the houses were laid out that way because in the early days of the city, home owners were taxed based on how many windows faced the street. The truth was probably that theyd been clever enough to place the piazzas to catch the breeze.
Open the gate, go up the brick walk. Her breath came a little faster now. Ridiculous, to hear her heart beating in her ears because she neared her cousins house. She should have faced this long ago. If Aunt Kate hadnt sent her away so quickly after the tragedy
She stopped herself. Aunt Kate had done what she thought was best when confronted with the death of one great-niece and the emotional collapse of the other. She couldnt be blamed.
Dinah had come back to Charleston as an adult. She could have gone into the house at any time, but shed successfully avoided every invitation.
Her first instinct had been right. Marcs return would change all of them in ways she couldnt imagine.
She reached for the knocker and then paused. In the old days, shed run in and out of Annabels house as if it were her own. She shouldnt change things now. She grasped the brass knob, turned it and let the door swing open.