He ordered soup and a sandwich and bread and then, hesitantly, a Dr Pepper.
“Now,” he said, massaging his fingers together and fixing a critical eye on Grace, “do you want to tell me what you were doing down in the Tunnels?”
She stole a look at Theodore, who shrugged.
“Like I said, Ollie’s in trouble,” she said, explaining what had happened. How Grace had tracked Harriet into the Tunnels the morning of her murder, and that they were hoping to find information that might somehow help to exonerate Oliver. But no one there would talk to them.
“Some friends of mine were mentioning that actress’s death. I heard of this. I had no idea it was Ollie.” Walt ate ravenously, still fixing a suspicious eye on Theodore.
“You don’t really seem like her type,” he said.
Theo chuffed, arching an eyebrow. “And what’s that?”
“Pompous,” Walt said. “Rich-blooded.”
“Walt,” Grace warned.
“Nothing she hasn’t already called me, and worse,” Theo said casually, leaning back in his chair.
Walt’s mouth twitched. He gave Grace an approving look.
“Your sister is quite adept at handling herself, I can assure you,” Theo said.
“And yet I swear, if you ever take her down to the Tunnels again, I’ll use that switchblade on you,” Walt said.
“Fair enough,” Theo said. He narrowed his eyes. “Although you might consider what your own trips to the Tunnels are doing to her.”
“Enough,” Grace said curtly. She turned to Walt and abruptly changed the subject. “What do you know about strychnine?”
He shrugged. “Not much. It’s not exactly my poison of choice.”
“What is, these days?” she asked.
He shot her a look. “I thought we were having a nice lunch.”
She paused, trying to decide how much she wanted to push him. It was a delicate balance. She decided to bide her time a little longer.
“Do they sell strychnine in the Tunnels?” she asked instead.
“I can look into it.”
Walt took a sip of Dr Pepper, fixing his eyes on Theo across the table. Theo returned the stare.
“What exactly are your intentions with my sister?” Walt asked.
Grace choked on her drink. “He doesn’t have anyintentions, Walt. Trust me. He’s helping me out of a bind like a gentleman and we both want to help Oliver. That’s all.”
Theo continued to stare back at Walt. He remained silent.
“Listen,” Grace said, changing tactics. Gathering her courage, she turned to Walt. She said quietly, and urgently: “Lillie has some friends—doctor friends. I know she would love to see you, and she could bring you to some people who could help.”
She felt like she was stepping out onto a paper-thin piece of glass. This was what had sent him running the first time—she and her parents had tried to get him help, but he had balked, andit was the last time they’d seen him. That had been almost a year ago.
She had to tread carefully.
“Still think I’m worth saving, do you, little sister?” Walt asked, shaking his head. His hands had a tremor to them. She clasped them in her own as her heart crumpled within her.
“Always,” she said.
