I sighed and wavered, but then the image of that little boy flashed into my mind. "No. I don't care. We need to figure this out before anybody else gets hurt. She can always ask him to run to the store for champagne or something while we talk."
Bill stood back up and pulled Eleanor in for a long kiss and hug and, despite everything, I felt my eyes well up. I was so happy for them both.
I'd be even happier once we solved this murder.
We headed toward them, calling out when we came close.
"I think congratulations are in order," Jack said, flashing a smile at Mr. Oliver. "You are a very lucky man."
Mr. Oliver's cheeks flushed. He hadn't realized he had an audience. But the look on his face was pure joy. "I know I am."
"Tess!" Eleanor's face was pink too. "You're here! Why are you here?"
"Congratulations," I said, climbing the steps to give her a big hug. "I'm so happy for you both."
She hugged me back. "Thank you! You're the first to know! I haven't even called Dave yet!"
Her son Dave had been Jack's best friend in high school, and they were regaining that friendship now that Jack was back. Dave had an adopted son, Zane, and was possibly dating Carlos the vampire.
"Actually," Mr. Oliver said bashfully. "I asked Dave if he'd be okay with me becoming part of the family. He was thrilled for us."
"I can't believe he kept that a secret," Jack said wryly. "In high school, he could never keep anything from his mom."
"It helps that he has his own house now," Eleanor said, smiling with her whole self. "I can't even believe it! I'm going to be a bride! At my age!"
"You'll be a beautiful bride," Mr. Oliver said, and the love shining from his face gave me a lump in my throat.
Great. Now I could be Tess, the Evil Ruiner of Happy Days.
"Oh, no," Mr. Oliver suddenly said. "I was so nervous I forgot to bring the champagne. I'll just run home and get it. And four glasses! I'm so glad you two are here to share our wonderful news."
Eleanor suddenly threw a panicked look at me and then at Jack. "Oh, no, it's okay, we don't need—"
"I'll be right back, I promise!" He kissed her cheek and then rushed down the sidewalk toward his house, a block and a half away.
"Well, I'm sure you two are far too busy to hang out here with us old folks," she tried, but I pinned her with a hard look.
"Stop right there, Eleanor Wolf."
She backed up toward her front door. "I don't, um, I really—"
Jack opened the door for her. "After you, please."
"But—"
"Somebody wants to hide the truth about Earl's death badly enough to cut the brakes on Jack's truck. We nearly ran over a little boy," I told her bluntly. "We're not leaving until we learn what you know about that day."
All the blood drained out of her face. "What? No! I—all right. All right. I'll be glad to get it off my conscience."
She walked into her living room and sank onto the couch. "I'll have to tell Bill I can't marry him after all."
"Why not?"
"Because I'm a murderer."
Jack sat down next to her on the couch and took her hand. "Mrs. Wolf, I have to tell you I seriously doubt that. Why don't you tell us what happened that day?"
She looked into his eyes, which steadied her, and then she nodded. "Yes. Yes. I'll tell you the story that I've never told a living soul from that day to now."
