Vera wanted to roll her eyes, but she was certain it would be painful. “Seriously, I’m worried about Luna and what happened to Jackie.”
“You think she had something to do with Jackie falling?” Eve shook her head. “Come on, Vee, we both know that’s ridiculous.”
Vera took a moment to clear her head of the dozens of questions and possibilities whirling there. “I know she would never set out to do anything to harm anyone. But something went down that she’s not telling us. I can feel it. That cut-and-dried recap of how it happened is missing some element. I hear it in her voice and see it in her eyes every time we talk.”
Eve appeared to consider her words for a time. “I trust you more than anyone on this planet outside Suri. If you say something’s off, then it’s off. How do we figure out what it is without getting Luna in trouble?”
“I’m not entirely certain that’s possible.” The thought of that damned hardware store receipt had Vera’s gut twisting into knots. She should have looked into that today, but she hadn’t expected to end up at the ER with head trauma. She had no time for this sort of issue cropping up. Damn it.
“Look,” Eve said, drawing her thoughts away from the worry swelling inside her, “I don’t have much time. The Ingle family will be here soon. What can I do to help with the Luna situation?”
Vera couldn’t hold back her smile.
“Seriously? You’re smiling.” Eve shook her head again. “Sometimes I don’t get you, Vee.”
“I’m just thinking what a good sister you are and how grateful I am that you’re mine.”
The road for Eve hadn’t always been easy. But she had found her way, and Vera was immensely proud of her.
“We need to call Bent.” Eve’s voice and expression were dead serious. Before Vera could ask why, she went on, “I’m afraid that bang on the noggin did something really bad, Vee.”
Vera waved her off. “Just talk to Luna when the right opportunity arises. Make sure she knows she can tell us anything, and we’ll figure out how to make it right—as soon as we know whatitis.”
“I will. I’ll do that tonight. Jerome won’t be back until tomorrow at the earliest, so I’ll go over and stay with her. We’ll talk and finish the final touches on the nursery.”
Vera hugged her sister. “That’s perfect.”
Eve stiffened but did manage to hug Vera back just a little. Eve had never been much of a hugger.
“I can get Charlie Keller to give you a ride home,” she offered, looking contrite now for being huffy when Vera first arrived.
“Charlie? I didn’t know he worked here.” The kid was younger than Luna. God, it was scary how fast time seemed to be flying lately.
“He does the pickups for Barrett’s.” Eve grinned. “If you want, he could drive you home in the hearse.”
“No thanks. I’m going across the street to visit Mama first. If Bent isn’t available when I’m ready to go, I’ll let you know.”
“Say hi for me,” Eve called over her shoulder as she finished preparing the room for Mrs. Ingle’s visitation.
Vera smiled again for her sister’s sake. She could not wait to get out of this place. “Will do.”
Dealing with death in this way had never been Vera’s cup of tea. Give her a mutilated murder vic anytime.
Not that she enjoyed seeing someone murdered ... oh hell. Whatever. Anyone—including God—listening to her thoughts got it, hopefully.
16
Rose Hill Cemetery
Washington Street, 4:45 p.m.
Vera and Eve had been so young when their mother died that separating from her so completely at first had been difficult. Their father had added a bench to the family plots to ensure she and Eve would have a place to sit when they visited their mother. They had done so often for those first few years. Eventually Vera had gone off to university and then work in Memphis, and things had changed. But since she’d come home, this was once again their special place where they could speak openly about whatever was on their minds.
Halfway across the cemetery, Vera hesitated. Someone was sitting on their bench. As she moved closer, her steps slower than usual after this morning’s fun with the assailant, she recognized the dark hair and paisley-print dress.
Luna.
What was she doing here?
