“Hush,” Honoree said, placing a calming hand on Bessie’s shoulder. “Let him talk.”
“Crazy Pete—” Ezekiel swallowed. “He was shot dead this morning.”
The world spun on its side in front of Honoree’s eyes. “Oh God. Did Archie kill him? Why? He wasn’t there. He’d gone to the store to buy lemons.” She closed her hand into a fist and pounded her thigh. “He couldn’t have heard a damn thing, anyway. Why would they hurt him?” The tears came fast, and she could feel the blood in her veins pounding, pounding, and asking why. “Jesus Christ.”
Ezekiel sat on the bench and picked up her hand, cradling it in his large palm. “All I know is that Pete’s dead, and someone gunned him down this morning. Outside that motel where he lives.”
Honoree grabbed his arm. “Now we all have to leave town. Archie has lost his mind if he’s killing people who had nothing to do with anything.”
“We don’t know who shot him. We just know he’s dead.”
“Who else could it be? No one other than Archie.”
“We just don’t know,” Ezekiel insisted.
Jeremiah stood stoically. “We have a good idea.”
“Quiet, now,” Ezekiel replied. “What we have to do is make sure Honoree and Bessie are on the train. Until that happens, nothing else matters.”
“Don’t be foolish, Ezekiel,” Jeremiah said. “It doesn’t matter if it was Gallo or Archie who killed Pete. If it was Archie, it’s because he thinks you had something to do with his brother’s death. If it’s Gallo, he’ll tell Archie you killed Dewey, and then they’ll both come after you. Nobody is looking for these young ladies.”
“Except Gallo,” Ezekiel said solemnly. “He wants Honoree.”
Jeremiah grunted. “And you’ll be no help to her floating facedown in the Chicago River.”
Honoree squeezed her arms around her stomach.
Ezekiel sat on the pew, his elbows on his knees as he lowered his head into his hands. “Goddamn. Goddamn.”
“Ezekiel.” Honoree put her hand on his shoulder, but he jerked away.
“Give me a minute, Honoree. One minute.”
“You don’t get any more minutes. You need to get on this train. Whatever beef you think you need to handle with Gallo or Archie, or anyone in this town, you can walk away. If I’m walking away, you can, too.”
CHAPTER 47
HONOREE
Friday, January 1, 1926
If the train had left on time, everything might’ve worked out differently.
Honoree strolled through Union Station, absorbed in her troubles and with little thought to what Bessie might be feeling, or what crazy ideas brewed in her childish mind. What tormented Honoree was Ezekiel and his stubbornness.
He had decided to remain in Chicago to wrap up matters with Archie and Gallo, a plan Honoree criticized as foolhardy and a death wish.
The four of them, Honoree, Ezekiel, Jeremiah, and Bessie, walked in a straight line, carrying suitcases and boxes, toward the platform where the colored passengers boarded the train.
“He thinks I’ll wait for him in New York City,” Honoree said with no interest in holding back her opinion.
A few feet ahead, but within earshot, Ezekiel marched with his head cocked, listening.
“I waited for him once,” she continued. “I won’t wait for him again. I also won’t be in Chicago to read his obituary in theDefenderafter he’s been shot dead.” She took Bessie’s hand. “He wants revenge for his father’s death.” Honoree’s voice cracked. “He shouldn’t bother.”
Ezekiel spun around. “I can hear every word.”
“I know,” Honoree said unapologetically.
