'When Enoch passed, God touched my heart. Judge not and ye shal not be judged; condemn not and ye shal not be condemned; forgive and ye shal be forgiven.'

She sighed deeply.

'Eli's mother died six years ago. The boy had no one, so I took him in.'

Her eyes dropped, returned to mine.

'A man's foes shal be they of his own household. Eli hates me. Takes joy in tormenting me. He knows I take pride in this house. He knows I like you. He was just getting at me.'

'Perhaps he just wants attention.'

Look at the kid, I thought, but didn't say it.

'Perhaps.'

'I'm sure he'l come around in time. And don't worry about my things. Nothing was taken.' I changed the subject. 'Is anyone else here?'

She shook her head.

'I believe Mr. McMahon's gone off to Charlotte. Haven't seen Mr. Ryan al day. Everyone else has checked out.'

Again, I heard barking.

'Has Boyd been a nuisance?'

'Dog's been ornery today. Needs exercising.' She brushed her skirt. 'I'm off to church. Shal I bring dinner before I leave?'

'Please.'

Ruby's roast pork and yam pudding had a calming effect. As I ate, the panic that had sent me racing through the twilight gave way to a dismal loneliness.

I remembered the woman on Pete's phone, wondered why hearing her voice felt like a kick in the gut. I know postcoital somnolence when I hear it, but so what? Pete and I were both adults. I'd left him. He was free to see whomever he pleased.

Condemn not and ye shal rock.

I wondered how I realy felt about Ryan. I knew he was a bastard, but at least he was a winsome bastard, though I could do without his smoking. He was smart. He was funny. He was dizzyingly handsome, but completely unaware of his effect on women. And he cared about people.

Lots of people.

Like Daniele.

So why had Ryan's number been one of the first I'd started to dial? Was it just that he was nearby, or was he more than a coleague, a person I would think of for protection or comfort?

I remembered Primrose and was again flattened with remorse. I'd involved my friend and now she was dead. I'd gotten her kiled. The guilt was crushing, and I was sure it would folow me the rest of my life.

Enough. Read the letter Ruby brought. It wil thank you for the lecture and say it was splendid.

It did. The envelope also contained a copy of the student newsletter with its photo of me and Simon Midkiff. To say I looked tense would be like saying Olive Oyl was on the thin side.