A motor sputtered in the yard, then roared to life. Allie peered out the window to see Ted with the lawn mower. “Why’s he cutting the lawn? He just cut it a few days ago,” she said. “And it’s going to rain.”
“He can’t seem to stay still,” Big Joe said. “I think he’s just desperate for something to do.”
“What a horrible thing to have to deal with,” Louis said, watching the man push the lawn mower around the yard.
“Losing a child. Especially one who’s been murdered,” said Big Joe quietly.
Louis refocused his attention on Allie. “Miss Bitty canceled her clients for the week. And she’s not eating. She’s also drinking alcohol. It’s not like her at all.” He took off his glasses and wiped the lenses. “In all the time I’ve known her, I’ve never seen her behave like this. It worries me.”
“She seems really sad about something,” Allie said.
Louis nodded. “Yeah, you’re right. I think she is. But what?”
Allie shrugged. “Maybe she blames me.”
Louis’s forehead creased. “You? For what?”
“For Hannah . . . and maybe even the woman at that supermarket.”
“I don’t understand.”
Allie shrugged. “People just seem to die all around me. It’s always happened. Since I was a little girl.”
“Oh Allie,” Louis said. “Don’t even think—”
“I think she expects something to happen to me, too,” Allie interrupted, a realization popping into her mind. “I mean, why else would she check on me several times a night? She must think something is going to happen to me,” she said softly, more to herself than the others.
Big Joe knitted his brow.
Allie continued. “And when I opened my door this morning I almost tripped on her.”
The old woman had been sleeping, curled up in a loose ball, outside her door as though standing guard.
Was it to ensure she wouldn’t leave?
Or to stop someone from getting in?
“What do you think she’s scared of?” Louis asked.
“I’m not sure,” she said, tears filling her eyes. She wiped them away.
Louis opened his arms wide. “Come here.”
Allie stepped into his arms and felt them wrap around her.
“This has to be very scary for you,” he said. “Just remember I’m here, too. Let me know if I can do anything, okay?”
Allie enjoyed Louis’s warmth. It had been a long time since she let a man touch her. She thought she’d never let a man near her again, but it felt nice. Really nice. It felt like something she needed.
“I’m here, too,” Big Joe said, opening his arms wide as well.
Allie reluctantly left Louis’s arms and went to Big Joe. At this point, just about anyone’s company was welcome.
Louis sighed and peered out at Ted again. “We need to find out what’s going on. I’m sure, between the three of us, we can figure out a way to help—”
“Allie!” Miss Bitty stood in the doorway, her long, wiry, gray hair down around her shoulders. “I was scared to death!” Her eyes were red and swollen, and she was still wearing her robe even though it was close to 4:00 p.m. “I couldn’t find you!”
The old woman’s gaze jerked to the window and her eyes widened. “Who is that in the yard?” she asked, hurrying to the window and peering out at Ted.
“Ted Hanover,” Louis said gently. “You said he could stay in the guesthouse. You remember that, right, Miss Bitty?”
The woman blinked. “Oh . . . right,” she mumbled, her voice like sandpaper. “But he should be resting now. Not working. He’s just experienced a huge loss. The worst loss anyone could ever imagine,” she said, her voice trailing off.
“He can’t sit still,” Big Joe said.
As though he felt their eyes on him, Ted turned toward the window. He saw them and stared, his expression vacant. Then he focused on the lawn again.
“I offered to drive him to the funeral home,” Louis said, “but he told me he wasn’t ready to go back. He said something about not being wanted there.”
Why would he not be wanted there? Allie wondered. Was Claire really that much of an ice queen, to push him away at a time like this? Obviously, the man was hurting.
Miss Bitty crossed her arms and watched the man push the lawn mower toward the shed. Rain was now coming down in fat droplets. Before long, it would turn into a downpour. “Poor thing. You would think he’d take a few days off to just mourn,” she said quietly.
She turned back to the three at the table. “Well, since you’re all here, I should tell you that I’m making a special dinner tomorrow. And I want everyone to be here.”
Something in the old woman’s tone made bile rush up Allie’s throat.
Miss Bitty stepped closer to Allie . . . close enough Allie could smell . . . not wine, but some kind of liquor.
“Sure, Miss Bitty,” Big Joe said. “Is there anything I can help with?”
“Maybe we could help cook? Clean? Anything to help lighten your load,” Louis said.
“No, Allie and I will take care of it all. Just make sure all of you are here at six o’clock. Someone please invite Mr. Hanover, too. It’s important that he comes.”
“Sure. I’ll tell him,” Big Joe said.
“And something else. No men in this house until then. And that includes the both of you,” the old woman said, pointing a frail finger at the men. “And you, Allie. I want you to continue to stay inside this house. If you need anything, come to me for it. You understand?”
Allie nodded.
The old woman stared at the men. “Did I make myself clear?”
They both nodded.
Miss Bitty continued to stare at them.
Louis frowned. “Oh. So, are you saying you want us to leave right now?”
“Yes. Right now. Go.”
CHAPTER 56
MISS BITTY STARED at her spread: fried pork chops, deep-fried tater tots, collard greens soaked in bacon grease, cherry pie à la mode, pan-fried beignets, a large bowl of SpaghettiOs with franks, a platter of eggs sunny-side up, homemade biscuits, pork sausage gravy, Pop-Tarts, and Franken Berry cereal. Everything neatly arranged on the dining room table.