Avery said, “I might be able to answer some questions, but I’m going to leave you all for an hour or so to go shower and change into fresh clothes. I want you all to use that time to decide if you want to hear what we saw and read and heard. We do have some very graphic pictures. I will tell you this. At least five of the tenants from Happy Village who disappeared are dead. I’m sure the other fifteen are, too, we just didn’t . . . um . . . see them. But what we heard indicates they are also dead. Think on this. I’ll be back in an hour, and we’ll talk more. Abner can answer any questions you might have in the meantime.”

No one moved. No one spoke. Cyrus continued allowing Abner to stroke his head.

Maggie finally took the initiative. “Is anything you and Avery know or saw gang related?”

“Yes, very much so, sad to say,” Abner said quietly.

“Can you be more specific, Abby?” Maggie asked gently. “If you would rather wait for Avery to get back, we can deal with all of it then. It’s not like we’re on deadline here. In the meantime, I guess we could look at the pictures you guys have. Ted can put them on the TV for better clarity if you give him your phone.”

Abner exploded off his chair, his arms waving wildly. “Good God, no! Don’t put those pictures up till Avery gets back. Look, I’m no more of a wuss than any of you, but I have my limits, and I know you do, too. Yes, I lost my cookies a few minutes ago, but Avery lost his earlier, so don’t go thinking I’m less than he is. My best advice to all of you is not to look at them and just go with what we both tell you.”

“C’mon, Abby, we’ve all seen dead bodies before, if that’s where this is all leading. Let’s get this show on the road. Ted, put them on the TV!” Maggie ordered.

“Wait just a damn minute,” Jack growled. “Who put you in charge, Maggie? We should at least give some credence to what Abner is telling us and put it to a vote. Raise your hand to see the pictures.” Maggie’s hand shot high in the air. “You’re outnumbered, so give it up already. We’re waiting for Avery.”

And that was the end of that.

Disgust ringing in her voice, Maggie said, “So I guess that means we wait for Avery, okay, I get it. But I would be terribly remiss if I didn’t remind you all that a picture is worth a thousand words. That’s why I’m having a hard time understanding your reticence. Men!” she snorted, as if that one word summed it all up.