A growl from Heathcliff silenced her. But the woman, emboldened, shoved past me and stepped into the center of the room.
“I screamed because I still have the air to do it – I still have air in my lungs to scream for justice. My daughter Abigail wasn’t able to scream when her killer wrapped a scarf around her throat and pulled it tight.” The woman’s face twisted with hatred as she stared at Danny. “And that man right there may have had something to do with her murder. But he got away scot free and now he’s made himself rich off her death. All of you in here lapping up his bullshit – shame on you! Have you forgotten what happened in this very village fifteen years ago?”
Danny sighed. “Please, Beverly, this isn’t the time.”
“It’s never the time, is it, Danny?” Beverly shrieked. “It’s never time for justice when there’s money to be made off the lives of innocent—”
“All right, that’s enough!” Heathcliff bellowed.
The entire room fell silent. I moved to stand beside Heathcliff, letting his bulk and imposing presence strengthen me.What’s going on?
Heathcliff advanced on the woman. He pointed to the door. “Outside,now.”
“You can’t threaten me,” she glared right back.
“It’s not a threat. This is my property, and you’re disturbing a private event. Now, if you want to say your piece, I’ll listen, but you’ll be doing it outside.”
“I have a ticket. I’m allowed to be here.” She folded her arms. “What if I refuse to leave?”
Morrie stepped up beside Heathcliff, and the glint in his eyes was terrifying. “You won’t refuse.”
The woman glared at them both, but something in Morrie’s face must’ve disturbed her. Her body deflated, the air leaking out of her tirade like a balloon. Her shoulders sagged, and her face collapsed into a look of such utter despair that my heart broke for her.
“Fine,” she hissed, storming outside. The shop door slammed so hard it rattled the walls.
“What are we all standing around for?” Danny yelled. “The bar’s still open. Let’s party.”
The crowd shuffled toward the bar and the book table, where Danny shook hands and kissed cheeks and scribbled signatures. Everyone seemed to forget about the screaming woman, even me. I had my hands full trying to stop my mother giving her sales pitch to every person in the room.
Everyone had forgotten except for Brian Letterman. He drowned a glass of cider in one gulp and stormed out. Danny waved at him as he left and said something rude that made Brian’s shoulders tighten. The front door slammed again.I’m surprised the glass doesn’t fall out with all this drama.
I glanced out the window to see Brian and the woman screaming at each other on the sidewalk. The woman pulled her arm back and threw something at Brian, but I couldn’t see if it hit him or not. After a few moments, they stormed off in separate directions.
Brian hadn’t even waited for his wife. I guessed he was upset about Danny’s decision to self-publish his memoirs and he was taking it out on that Beverly woman, but his reaction seemed a little juvenile and dramatic. He had nothing on Beverly, though. Imagine screaming like that to get everyone’s attention. And what was she talking about?
“Do you know who that woman was?” I asked Angus, who stood in the large bay window, staring out into the night.
“I’ll never forget Beverly Ingram,” his voice sounded strange, far away. “I was telling you before about that garroting case that turned Danny straight? The victim was Beverly’s daughter, Abigail. We never caught the murderer. It’s haunted me these last fifteen years, and Danny, too. That’s why he wrote about it, to give the case a conclusion. I think Beverly believes Danny had something to do with her daughter’s death, and she doesn’t want him profiting off the story, which I can understand. She’s been writing letters to Brian for months, threatening legal action if he didn’t withdraw the book.” Angus laughed, but the sound was hollow. He drew a packet of cigarettes from his pocket. “Publishers don’t just pull books because someone objects to it, especially not if it’s going to sell like hotcakes, like Danny’s books always do. If you’ll excuse me, I need a smoke. If Brian’s still moping outside, I might be able to talk some sense into him. Hell of a bombshell Danny just dropped tonight.”
“I’ll join you,” Heathcliff said, heading after Angus.
“But the counter?” I wailed.
“Morrie’s on it. Someone just asked me if we have a copy of that cookbook where the main ingredient is semen. I’m either having a smoke or sticking a customer through a window. Your choice.”
“Fine.” I waved him away, just as Mum came running over. She thrust a handful of silver patches into my face.
“Hi, honey, I’m putting these by the counter, so people can add one to their purchases.”
“No, you’re not.”
Mum pouted. “At least let me put one of my pamphlets into each shopping bag? Please, dear, I’m so close to earning my Mercedes…”
“No. And please don’t buy a Mercedes before we’ve had a chat about it. I’m sorry, Mum.” I kissed her on the cheek. “I really have to go talk to people. But I promise I’ll visit this week.”
For the rest of the night, I didn’t have a chance to give Beverly Ingram or my mother’s new scheme another thought. Morrie schmoozed the crowd while I got busy behind the counter, running up all the purchases through the till. Quoth hung out in the main room, locating books for customers and helping women into their coats. I watched him as he made easy conversation with the guests, even laughing at one of Mrs. Ellis’ filthy jokes. A laugh from Quoth was so rare and precious that my stomach tightened just watching it.
He’s really doing so well. He’s finding it so much easier to hold on to his human form. Maybe a normal life isn’t as out of reach as he thought.
