“Yes.”
“You know, Miss Morrison, you are unexpectedly straightforward yourself.”
“Am I? I believe I would prefer that it’s not unexpected. I’m twenty-seven, and I’ve been managing this station more or less on my own for the last seven years. I favor saying what’s on my mind. I think it’s the same for you.”
“It helps that we’re having this conversation mostly in the dark.”
Laurel considered that. “You might be right.”
“Did Josiah Pye try to court you?”
The question disconcerted Laurel. She flinched.
Call reached over and steadied the swing. “And we were getting on so well,” he said. “You don’t have to answer if you’d rather not.”
Laurel drew in a breath, collecting herself. She was disappointed in her reaction. “No, I’d rather answer actually. Mr. Pye never courted me. Like you, it didn’t occur to him. I told you I was uneasy around him so I’m not sure why you put the question to me.”
“I was wondering how his plans might have changed if you had reciprocated his interest.”
“Oh, so we’re discussing the robbery now.”
“Yes. Do you mind?”
She shook her head. “Whatever you like. How do you think his plans might have changed?”
“It’s possible he would have tried to gain your cooperation.”
“You mean he might have asked me to help him with the theft?”
“I only said it was possible. He managed to convince Desiree.”
“She’s not me.”
“No, but I think in Josiah Pye’s mind she was.”
13
Laurel spoke carefully. “That’s absurd. I hope you mean to tell me you’re not serious.”
“I can’t do that. Take some comfort from the fact that I might be wrong.”
“I’m taking comfort from believing one of the animals kicked you in the head.”
Call cocked an eyebrow. “Do you want to hear me out?”
She looked through the window into the dining room. The poker game showed no signs that it was drawing to a close. The conversation in the house was animated, punctuated by bursts of laughter. “Please,” she said, turning back to him. “Tell me.”
“It seems unlikely that anyone’s ever told you that you and Desiree bear an odd resemblance to each other, but there’s a general, though very small, consensus that you do.” He paused, waiting for a reaction. When there was none, he asked, “Are you offended? I can’t tell.”
“Offended? No, but I’m intrigued. In what way are we similar?”
“Age. Height. Frame. Those are obvious. The likeness is more about the way in which you carry yourselves. I didn’t see it at first, but then Desiree tilted her head, pinned me back with her candid stare, set her shoulders, and would not be moved off her feet.”
“In that case, I think she must be a kindred spirit.”
“It’s in the gestures, yes, but also an attitude, a manner.Some vestige of what was once an authentic lady still exists. It was bred in the bone.”
“I’m not sure that’s true of me.”
