She asked again, softly, Do you believe me?
Abruptly he rose to his feet, determined to shake off the dangerous spell she was weaving around him. No, he said. I cant say that I do.
But dont you see theres something more to this than just a a crime of passion?
I admit, things dont feel quite right. But Im not ready to believe you. Not by a long shot.
There was a knock on the door. Startled, Chase turned to see the door swing open and Annie Berenger poke her head in.
Hello, cavalrys here, she called. She came in dressed in an old T-shirt and sweatpants. Blades of wet grass clung to her running shoes. Whats the situation?
Im fine, said Miranda.
But she needs watching, said Chase. If there are any problems, Dr. Steiners number is by the phone.
Leaving already? asked Annie.
Theyll be expecting me at home. He went to the door. There he paused and glanced back at Miranda.
She hadnt moved. She just sat there. He had the urge to say something comforting. To tell her that what hed said earlier wasnt quite true. That he was starting to believe her. But he couldnt admit it to her; he could scarcely admit it to himself. And there was Annie, watching everything with her sharp reporters eyes.
So he merely said, Good night, Miranda. I hope youre feeling better. And Annie, thanks for the favor. Then he turned and walked out the door.
Outside, it took him a few seconds to accustom his eyes to the darkness. By the time hed reached the edge of the front yard he could finally make out the walkway under his feet.
He could also see the silhouette of a man standing stoop-shouldered before him on the sidewalk.
Chase halted, instantly tense.
She okay? asked the man.
Who are you? demanded Chase.
I could ask the same o you, came the cranky reply.
Imvisiting, said Chase.
So, is Mo gonna be all right, or what?
Mo? Oh, you mean Miranda. Yes, shell be fine, Mr.
Eddie Lanzo. Live next door. Like to keep an eye on her, yknow? Not good, a nice young woman livin all by herself. And all these crazies runnin around here, peekin in windows. Not safe to be female these days.
Someones staying with her tonight, so you neednt worry.
Yeah. Okay. Well, I wont bother her none, then. Eddie Lanzo turned to go back to his house. Whole islands going to pot, I tell ya, he muttered. Too many crazies. Last time I leave my keys in the car.
Mr. Lanzo? called Chase.
Yeah?
Just a question. I was wondering if you were home the night Richard Tremain was killed?
Me? Eddie snorted. Im always home.
Did you happen to see or hear anything?
I already tol Lorne Tibbetts. I go to bed at nine oclock sharp, and thats it till morning.
Then youre a sound sleeper? You didnt hear anything?
How can I with my hearing aid turned off?
Oh. Chase watched as the man shuffled back to his house, still muttering about Peeping Toms and car thieves. It somehow surprised Chase that a grouchy old geezer like Lanzo would show such concern about Miranda Wood. A nice young woman, Lanzo had called her.
What the hell does he know? thought Chase. What do we ever know about anyone? People have their secrets. I have mine, Miranda Wood has hers.
He turned and headed for Chestnut Street.
It was a twenty-minute walk, made invigorating by the brisk night air. When at last he stepped in the front door he found that, except for the lamp in the foyer, all the lights were out. Had no one else come home?
Then he heard Evelyn call out his name.
He found her sitting all alone in the darkened parlor. He could barely make out her shadow in the rocking chair. The dim glow of the street lamp through the window framed her silhouette.
At last youre home, she said.
He started toward one of the lamps. You need some light in here, Evelyn.
He started toward one of the lamps. You need some light in here, Evelyn.
No, Chase. Dont. I like the dark. I always have.
He paused, uncertain of what to say, what to do. He lingered in the shadows, watching her.
Ive been waiting for you, she murmured. Where did you go, Chase?
He paused. To see Miranda Wood.
Her reaction was cold, dead silence. Even the creak of her rocking chair had stilled.
She has you in her spell. Doesnt she? Evelyn whispered.
Theres no spell. I just had some questions to ask her, about Richard. He sighed. Look, Evelyn, its been a long day for you. Why dont you go up and get some sleep?
Still the figure did not move. She sat like a black statue against the window. That night I called you, she said, the night he died I was hoping
Yes?
Another silence. Then, Ive always liked you, Chase. Since we were kids. I always hoped youd be the one to propose. Not Richard, but you. The rocking chair began to creak again, softly. But you never did.
I was in love with Christine. Remember?
Oh, Christine. She hissed out the name in disgust. She wasnt good enough for you. But you found that out.
We were mismatched, thats all.
So were Richard and I.
He didnt know what to say. He knew what she was leading up to, and he wanted to avoid that particular path of conversation. In all those years of growing up together he had never been able to picture himself and Evelyn DeBolt as a couple. Certainly she was attractive enough. And she was closer to his age than she was to Richards. But he had seen, early on, that she had a talent for manipulating people, for twisting minds and hearts. The same talent Richard had possessed.
And yet, he felt so very sorry for her.
He said gently, Youre just tired, Evelyn. Youve had a terrible week. But the worst of its over now.
No. The worst part is just beginning. The loneliness.
You have your children
Youll be leaving soon, wont you?
A few more days. I have to. I have a job in Greenwich.
You could stay. Take over the Herald. Phillips still too young to run it.
Id be a lousy publisher. You know that. And I dont belong here anymore. Not on this island.
For a moment they regarded each other through the shadows.
So thats it, then, she whispered. For us.
Im afraid so.
He saw the silhouette nod sadly.
Will you be all right?
Fine. She gave a soft laugh. Ill be just fine.
Good night, Evelyn.
Good night.
He left her sitting there by the window. Only as he moved toward the stairwell did he suddenly notice the sour odor lingering in the hall. An empty glass sat on the foyer table, near the telephone. He picked up the glass and sniffed it.
Whiskey.
We all have our secrets. Evelyn does, too.
He set the glass back down. Then, deep in thought, he climbed the stairs to bed.
Six
So where were you two last night? Chase asked.
The twins, busy attacking sausage and eggs, simultaneously looked up at their uncle.
I was over at Zach Brewers, said Phillip. You remember the Brewers, dont you? Over on Pearl Street.
What little Phil really means is, he was checking out Zachs sister, said Cassie.
At least I wasnt holed up in some cave, pining for a date.
I wasnt pining for a date. I was busy.
Oh, sure, snorted Phillip.
Busy? Doing what? asked Chase.
I was over at the Herald, trying to get a handle on things, said Cassie. You know, Dad left things such a mess. No written plans for succession. Not a clue as to which direction he wanted the paper to go. Editorially speaking.
Let Jill Vickery take care of it, said Phillip with a shrug. Thats what we pay her for.
Id think at least youd care, Phil. Seeing as youre the heir apparent.
These transitions need to be handled gradually. Phil nonchalantly shoveled another forkful of eggs into his mouth.
In the meantime, the Herald drifts around rudderless. I dont want it to be just another church and social rag. We should turn it into a muckraking journal. Shake things up along the coast, get people mad. The way Dad got em mad a few months ago.
Got who mad? asked Chase.
Those stooges on the planning board. The ones who voted to rezone the north shore. Dad made em out to look pretty greasy. I bet Jill was quaking in her shiny Italian shoes, waiting for that libel suit to pop.
You seem to know a lot about what goes on at the Herald, said Chase.
Of course. Second best tries harder.
She said it lightly, but Chase couldnt miss the note of resentment in her voice. He understood exactly how she felt. He, too, had been the second-best sibling, had spent his childhood trying harder, to no avail. Richard had been the anointed one. Just as Phillip was now.
The doorbell rang. Thatll be Granddad, said Phillip. Hes early.
Chase stood. Ill get it.
Noah DeBolt was standing on the front porch. Good morning, Chase. Is Evelyn ready for her appointment?
I think so. Come in, sir.
That sir was automatic. One simply didnt call this man by his first name. As Noah walked in the door, Chase marveled at the fact that the years hadnt stooped the shoulders in that tailored suit, nor softened the glare of those ice blue eyes.
Noah paused in the foyer and glanced critically around the house. Its about time we made some changes in here. A new couch, new chairs. Evelyns put up with this old furniture long enough.
Theyre my mothers favorites, said Chase. Antiques
I know what the hell they are! Junk. Noahs gaze focused on the twins, who were staring at him through the doorway.
What, are you two still eating breakfast? Come on, its eight-thirty! With the fees lawyers charge, we dont want to be late.
Really, Mr. DeBolt, said Chase. I can drive us all to the lawyer. You didnt have to bother
Evelyn asked me to come, said Noah. What my girl asks for, I deliver. He glanced up the stairs. Evelyn had just appeared on the landing. Right, sweetheart?
Head held high, Evelyn came down the stairs. It was the first Chase had seen of her since the night before. No tremor, no effects of whiskey were apparent this morning. She looked cool as aspic. Hello, Daddy, she said.
Noah gave her a hug. Now, he said softly, lets go finish this unpleasant business.
They drove in Noahs Mercedes, Evelyn and her father in the front seat, Chase crammed in the back with the twins. How had Richard tolerated it all these years, he wondered, living in the same town with this bully of a father-in-law? But that was the price one paid for marrying Noah DeBolts only daughter: eternal criticism, eternal scrutiny.
Now that Richard was dead, Noah was back in control of his daughters life. He drove them to Les Hardees office. He escorted Evelyn through the front door. He led her by the arm right up to the reception desk.
Mrs. Tremain to see Les, said Noah. Were here to review the will.