Her face set, then she got up and went to the hearth. The cat followed her with his eyes. “We’ve been through that.”

“It’s still an option.”

“No. It is not. It is not an option for me.” Her frown deepened and she stared at the mantel. The pictures of her and Toby were there. She chewed her upper lip, then looked back at me. “Charlie’s secretary called back this evening. She said I’m supposed to meet Charlie tomorrow. I told her no. I said that I’m not going to do it.” That’s why the drinking.

Pike said, “Bad move.”

Her nostrils tightened and she looked at him. “What do you know?”

I said, “He’s right. Charlie’s already pissed, and we shouldn’t make it worse. Pike and I will be there, and we won’t let him hurt you.”

She pulled herself erect and stepped away from the hearth and gave me the sort of eyes she must’ve given herself ten years ago when she’d decided to change her life. Hard, focused, don’t-get-in-my-way eyes. “No. It’s not about being scared. It’s about not wanting it in my life anymore. I’ve got Peter coming back. I’ve got you in my home. I’m not going to pick up his money. I’m not going to take any more deposits from Harry. I’ve made up my mind. Do you understand?”

I said, “Yes, ma’am.”

Pike nodded once, and his mouth twitched.

Karen Lloyd said, “Will you need me for anything else tonight?”

“Nope,” I said. “I think that about covers it.”

She went to the front door and opened it. The cat slipped out and was gone. She said, “I appreciate what you’ve done, and I don’t mean to be abrupt, but it’s late and I’m tired. If you need to speak with me tomorrow, you can call me at the bank.”

“Sure.”

“Good night.”

She closed the door before we were off the porch.

Pike said, “Tough lady.”

“Unh-hunh.”

“Maybe too tough. Like she’s got something to prove.”

I nodded.

Outside, the night air was crisp and chill and sparkling in its clarity, smelling strongly of oak and elm. Orion hung sideways in the southern sky, and a three-quarter moon hung in the east. We walked out onto the lawn and stood by the Taurus and watched Karen Lloyd’s house. One by one, the lights went out and the house grew dark. With every light that died, the night grew closer.