Thats the problem. Traceys expression spoke of her frustration. Yesterday she would. Thats why I called you. Today she says no. She knows nothing, saw nothing. And her friend wont be going to any more movies.
The words might have sounded flippant, but Dinah knew they werent. She and the rough-edged detective had developed a friendship that probably surprised Tracey as much as it did her, and she knew the depth of pain that any death brought Tracey.
Im sorry. She wanted to say more, but knew she shouldnt cross that line. Maybe shell change her mind. Call me anytime.
Tracey nodded but gave her a probing look. I thought you might be too busy since your cousin-in-law is back in town.
How on earth did you hear about that?
He was a suspect in an unsolved murder. Word gets around, believe me.
He didnt kill Annabel.
Tracey raised an eyebrow. You sure of that?
Of course I am.
Nice to be sure.
She swallowed irritation. All right, Tracey. Whats this all about? Did you get me down here to talk about Marc?
No. She shrugged. But youre here. I couldnt help asking what you think about Marcus Devlins return.
The irritation faded away. Tracey was just being Tracey. She couldnt blame her for that.
I was surprised. That was honest. I didnt think hed ever want to come back, because of the tragedy.
Why did he?
His house has been rented all these years. The renters recently moved out, so he came to make arrangements to put it on the market.
A good Realtor could have taken care of that for him.
Youre like a dog with a bone, you know that?
Tracey grinned. That makes me a good detective. Why did he really come back?
Because of Court. His son. My cousins son. Court wanted to see the house before it was sold. Theyre staying through the holidays. Not that its police business.
Its an open case, Tracey said gently. Dinah, you must know that most often, a pregnant woman is killed by a husband or boyfriend.
Not even you can believe Marc would bring his thirteen-year-old son back to that house if he killed the boys mother. Besides She stopped.
Besides what? Tracey prompted.
Marc wants to find out the truth.
Ive heard that line before.
Tracey, he didnt kill Annabel. He couldnt have.
In that case, why does his return bother you so much? Tracey held up her hand to stop a protest. Youre not that good at hiding your feelings.
I was in the house that night, she said slowly. I suppose you know that.
Tracey nodded. Of course she knew. Shed probably read all about the case before shed ever agreed to work with Dinah.
I dont want to have to relive the pain again. I loved Annabel. I want to protect her memory.
Why does her memory need protecting?
Dinah could only stare at Tracey, aghast that the words had come out of her mouth. She wasnt even conscious of thinking them, but now that shed spoken, she knew it was true.
She wanted to protect Annabels memory. And she didnt know why.
Three
We need to get a big tree, Dad. One that reaches the ceiling, okay? Court leaned forward in the back seat of Marcs car, propping his arms on the back of Dinahs seat.
Marc didnt take his eyes off the road, but Dinah saw the slight smile that touched his lips. She thought she knew what he feltthat it was good to see Court enjoying himself so much.
Shed like to think so, too, but this tree-buying trip could turn out to be a disaster. She eyed Marc. Did he really not know what he could be walking into?
How exactly do you expect to get a tree that big back to the house? Marc asked, as if it were the only concern on his mind.
We can tie it on top. Court twisted to look out the side window, bouncing Dinahs seat. Hey, is that the water over there?
Charlestons a peninsulawere practically surrounded by water. Your dad is taking us to the Christmas tree sale via the scenic route. As far as she was concerned, the longer it took to get there, the better. Fort Sumter is there at the mouth of the harbor. We should take the boat trip out one day while youre here.
Cool. Court pressed his face against the glass for a better look.
His absorption in the view gave her the opportunity for a carefully worded question aimed at Marc. Are you sure you want to go to this particular tree sale? she said quietly. There are several others.
Marcs jaw tightened until it resembled a block of stone. The Alpha Club sale still benefits charity, doesnt it?
She nodded, not wanting to verbalize her concerns within Courts hearing.
Then thats where were going. Marcs tone didnt leave any room for argument.
Stubborn. He had always been stubborn, and that hadnt changed. Hed been a member of the Alpha Club once and active in the civic and charitable activities of the group of young professionals. Theyd been fellow attorneys, fellow Citadel graduates, movers and shakers in Charleston society. Did Marc think hed find a welcome there now?
Her stomach clenched. She wanted to protect both him and Court from any unpleasantness, but she could hardly do that if he insisted on walking right into the lions den.
Protect. Shed told Tracey she wanted to protect Annabels memory. The truth probably was that she couldnt protect any of them, including herself.
Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately, they drew up then at the parking lot that had been transformed into a Christmas tree paradisedecorated trees, garlands, lights, live trees, cut trees, trees of every shape and size. The Alpha Club did its sale in style.
Wow. That seemed to be Courts favorite expression. He slid out of the car as soon as it stopped. Ill find just the right one. He loped into a forest of cut trees, disappearing from sight.
Dinah got out more slowly and waited while Marc came around the car to join her. He definitely hasnt lost his enthusiasm, has he?
Not at all. His smile was automatic, and she thought some other concern lay behind it. He was asking me questions today about your family history, he said abruptly. I tried to answer him, but Im probably not the best source for Westlake family history.
She knew what he was looking for. Aunt Kate is. Aunt Kate was the repository of family stories that would be lost when she was gone unless someone cared enough to hear and remember them.
I know she doesnt want to see me. The words were clipped. Do you think shed talk to Court about the family?
She could only be honest. I dont know. Ill ask her.
Thanks, Dinah. I appreciate it.
His hand wrapped around hers in a gesture of thanks. It lasted just for an instant. It shouldnt mean anything. It didnt mean anything. So why did she feel as if the touch surged straight to her heart?
It was nothing. A hangover from the teenage crush shed had once. She took a breath, inhaling the crisp scents of pine and fir, and shoved her hands in her jacket pockets.
Wed better find Court, before he picks out a twenty-foot tree.
They moved into the mass of trees. And mass of people, too. It seemed half of Charleston had chosen this evening to search for the perfect tree. Surely, in this crowd, it would be possible to find a tree and leave without encountering any of Marcs one-time friends.
They rounded a corner of the makeshift aisle through the tree display, and she saw that shed been indulging in a futile hope. Court, pointing at a huge fir, was deep in conversation with a salesman. The man didnt need to turn for her to recognize him. And judging by the quick inhalation Marc gave, he knew him instantly as well.
He hesitated, and then he strode forward, holding out his hand. Phillips. Youre just the person I was hoping to see.
Phillips Carmody turned, peering gravely through the glasses that were such a part of his persona that Dinah couldnt imagine him without them. Then his lean face lit with a smile.
Marc. He clasped Marcs hand eagerly. How good to see you. Its been too long.
It wouldnt have been so long if youd come to Boston to see us.
So Phillips had been welcome to visit, while Annabels family had not. Anger pricked her, and she forced it away as she approached the two men and Court, who looked on curiously, the tree forgotten for the moment.
Phillips cant leave Charleston, she said. The citys history would collapse without him.
She tilted her face up to receive Phillipss customary peck on the cheek. He always seemed to hesitate, as if remembering that it was no longer appropriate to pat her on the head.
Dinah, dear, youre here, too. He focused on Court. And so you must be Courtney. Annabels son. His voice softened on the words. Im Phillips Carmody, one of your fathers oldest friends.
Court shook hands. Im happy to meet you, sir. He gave the smile that was so like Annabels, and she thought Phillips started a bit. It came as a shock to him, probably, as it had to her.
How long are you staying? Phillips glanced at Marc. I heard you were putting the house on the market.
I see the grapevine is still active. Marc seemed to relax in Phillipss company, his smile coming more easily now.
Dinah felt some of her tension dissipate as the men talked easily. It looked as if her fears had been foolish.
Marc had handed over a shocking amount of money and theyd negotiated when the tree would be delivered when the interruption came.
Phillips! What are you doing?
Dinah didnt have to turn to know who was there. Margo Carmody had an unmistakable voicesugarcoated acid, Annabel had always said. How someone as sweet as Phillips ended up married to a woman like that was one of lifes mysteries.
Dinah pinned a smile to her face and turned. Hello, Margo. Are you working the sale as well?
Margo ignored her, the breach in etiquette announcing how upset she was. Margo never ignored the niceties of polite society. Except, apparently, when confronted by a man her acid tongue had proclaimed a murderer.
Look whos here, my dear. Nervousness threaded Phillipss voice. Its Marcus. And his son, Courtney.
Margo managed to avoid eye contact with both of them. Youre needed back at the cash desk, Phillips. Come along, now. She turned and stalked away, leaving an awkward silence behind.
Im sorry. Faint color stained Phillipss cheeks. Im afraid I must go. Perhaps Ill see you again while youre here. It was nice to meet you, Court. He scuttled away before Dinah could give in to the temptation to shake him.
That woman gets more obnoxious every year. She could only hope Court would believe Margos actions were motivated by general rudeness and not aimed at them. How Phillips stands her, I dont know.
He seems to come to heel when she snaps her fingers. Marcs dry tone was probably intended to hide the pain he must feel.
Would you expect anything else? The voice came from behind her.
Dinah turned. Not James Harwood. It was really too much that theyd run into both of the men whod been Marcs closest friends in the same night. Still, James and Phillips ran in identical social circles, and they were both mainstays of the Alpha Club, regulars at the elegant old building that graced a corner of Market Street near The Battery.
Hello, James. This time Marc didnt bother to offer his hand. It was clear from the coldness on Jamess face that it wouldnt be taken.
James, I A lady always smoothes over awkward situations. That was one of Aunt Kates favorite maxims, but Dinah couldnt think of a thing to say.
You shouldnt have come back. James bit off the words. Youre not welcome here.
Court took a step closer to his father. The hurt in his eyes cut Dinah to the heart. Court shouldnt have to hear things like that. Marc should have realized what might happen when he brought him here.
Im sorry you feel that way. Marcs tone was cool, the voice of a man meeting rudeness with calm courtesy. But a muscle in his jaw twitched as if hed like to hit something. Or someone.
I think were ready to leave now. Shed better intervene before they both forgot themselves. We have what we came for, dont we, Court?
Politeness required that Court turn to her, and she linked her arm with his casually. Ready, Marc?
Please. Dont make matters worse by getting into a quarrel with James. Its not worth it.
Whether he sensed her plea or not, she didnt know. He flexed his hands, and she held her breath. Then he turned and walked steadily toward the car.
Hey, wouldnt it look cool if we strung lights along the banister? Court, standing halfway up the staircase, looked down.
Struck by a sudden flicker of resemblance to Annabel in his sons face, Marc couldnt answer for a moment. Then he managed a smile.
Sounds great. What do you think?
He turned to Dinah, who was dusting off the stack of ornament boxes theyd just carried down from the attic. In jeans and a faded College of Charleston sweatshirt, her dark curls pulled back in a loose ponytail, she looked little older than the sixteen-year-old he remembered.
She straightened, frowning at the stairwell. What do you think of twining lights with an evergreen swag along the railing? I think I remember several swags in a plastic bag in the attic.
Ill go see. Court galloped up the steps, managing to raise a few stray dust motes that danced in the late-afternoon light. A thud announced that hed arrived at the attic door.
Marc winced. Sorry. Court doesnt do much of anything quietly.
Id be worried about him if he did. Dinah glanced up the stairwell, as if following Court in her minds eye. At least hes not showing any signs that being here bothers him. And if hes not upset after what happened last night
I know. I guess I havent said you were right, but you were. We should have gone somewhere else for the tree.
I wish I hadnt been right. Her face was warm with sympathy.
Maybe it was the sympathy that led him to say more than he intended. I expected antagonism from Margo. She never liked Phils friendship with me, and she and Annabel were like oil and water.
I remember. Dinahs smile flickered. Annabel had a few uncomplimentary names for her.
Which she shouldnt have said in front of you. He ran a hand through his hair. Margo doesnt matter. But Phil and James