“I wondered if she was still alive,” said Burch. “She doesn’t make a lot of public appearances. Neither does Bruce, though. He stays holed up in his house, waiting for the end of the world with all his guns and books. He gave me a book once—it’s on the shelf behind you.”

I half turned, still cautious, and found a paperback under an ashtray. The title was Enemies Foreign and Domestic. The cover was yellow with a “don’t tread on me” snake, wrapped around an AR-15 rifle.

“Did he want you to join his book club?” I said.

“Ha! No,” said Burch. “It was kind of a thank-you for helping him find his mom. I figured he gave it to me because he knew I liked snakes.”

Arlo thought the militia manifesto was a book about the care and feeding of reptiles.

I had spoken with Jewett and Burch, and their stories matched. And even though I had nagging questions about Pill Hill and its residents, they were mostly unrelated to the Chamberlain case. I had a wolf in my Jeep that might already be wide awake, mad as hell, and ready to devour a toddler.

“If you have no more questions—” began Tiff.

“Then you can leave,” finished Tori, rising to her bare feet. She was just a scrap of thing, as Charley might have said. Barely five feet and a hundred pounds.

“You want to see Lucifer eat a bunny?” Arlo leaned forward. His towel opened. And I got the peepshow I desperately hadn’t wanted. “He’s due for his weekly meal.”

“Thank you, but I think I’ll pass on that spectacle.”

“You’re sure you won’t stay?” said Tiff.

I paused with my hand on the doorknob. “I hope you don’t consider it rude of me.”

One of the cell phones rang from the table. Tori checked the number, her eyes widened, and she hurried from the room.

“Baby, you’re going to be late for work,” Tiff purred, pulling her man’s earlobe.

I checked my watch. It was after three. I’d already been in Stratford longer than I’d planned.

At that moment, Tori came charging into the room. “Gram wants to see you.”

“Grambo?” I said

“I wouldn’t call her that to her face,” said Tiff, dryly.

“I appreciate the invitation, but I need to get on the road.”

“She has information about Chamberlain’s death!”

Tori’s exclamation caused Tiff to catch her breath.

But the more interesting reaction came from Burch. His eyes widened and his mouth dropped. I could have sworn Tori’s words frightened the piss out of him.