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“We haven’t told Bella yet. When we do, it’ll be all over town in a day.”

“You got that right.” Nash chuckled. Then he looked over at me. “So, what are we going to do about the lawyered-up asshole in my jail?”

“I don’t see any way of turning him against the senator, just process him through,” I answered.

“Agreed.” Nash grimaced. “In the meantime, we’re still on the lookout for the asshole who tried to run Marlowe off the road.”

“I doubt you’ll find him. Besides running away from you, he’s also running away from the senator. He had the same job as the guy in your lock-up. Grab the phone, get rid of the copies. But instead, he tries to kill her. Not too bright,” I said. “I’m still worried about the senator. He hasn’t accomplished what he’s wanted. That means Marlowe is still in danger.”

Simon and Nash both nodded.

“Where is she now?” Nash asked.

“In the safest place I could think of leaving her.”

“Little Grandma, that didn’t really happen, did it?” I asked. Not for the first time, either. This woman was telling me things that were blowing my mind.

“Just because I’m up there in age, doesn’t mean that I didn’t live a well-lived life. And that includes a little bit of titillation.”

She looked like a sweetie pie sitting there on the other side of the table, sipping her warm mug of tea and nibbling on her biscuit. Finding out that she got a job as a tourist guide at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 1942 was fascinating. Even more interesting was finding out about all of the people she got to meet. Most of the eligible bachelors in Jasper Creek and all the surrounding areas were trying to help keep their family farms afloat or they had joined or had been drafted into military service.

“It was slim pickings back in the day, let me tell you. I was the oldest, at twenty-two, and let me tell you, Pearl, Ronnie, and Winnie wouldn’t let me forget it. I was definitely an old-maid. They picked on me relentlessly.”

“What is your name?” it finally occurred to me to ask.

“Esperance. Our family was French. Our last name was Dubois.”

“Esperance is a lovely name.” It really was. “Does it mean something?”

“It means hope. I guess they were hopeful when they had me. My parents didn’t know they were going to end up with seven daughters. But Ma and Pa took it in stride. Even though we couldn’t work the land, they always had hope and faith that things would work out.”

“Seven daughters? Why are you only mentioning three other sisters?”

“We were the oldest. The others were still at home. We were the ones who were out in the big wide world trying to bring home money to support the family. We all made money at the Park. I was a guide. Ronnie did clerical work at the Parks Management office then Pearl and Winnie worked at the concession stands.”

“I can’t imagine there being many tourists during the war,” I said.

“You’d be surprised. I think it was because of the war that more people wanted to go out and visit places. Take a few days and see nature. Commune with God.” Little Grandma took another sip of her tea.

“Do you mind if I steal my woman from you?”

We both looked up to see Kai standing over our table. How had I missed him?

“Absolutely. I was wondering why you would be leaving such a beautiful woman alone on such a sunny day,” Little Grandma grinned up at Kai.

“You’d best be taking Esperance out for a drive,” I said to Kai. He frowned for less than a second, then held his hand out to Little Grandma.

“My chariot awaits, milady. Have you been to Java Jolt? They have some exceptional flavors of coffee.”

Little Grandma gave him a broad smile. “I like you, Kai Davies. You’ll do. You’ll do just fine.” She turned to me. “Now go on with yourself. You and your young man have a good time.”

“I expect to hear more about your adventures at the Great Park,” I told her as I slipped out of my seat.

“You will, my dear.”

26

My hands were practically shaking as I opened the door to Marlowe’s house.