“Where are the children?” I asked as we went into the house.

“They’re up at Miss Beulah’s. Y’all want some coffee? I’ve got some made.”

“Aren’t you scared some books will fall on them?” Sister asked.

Betsy smiled. “You’ve seen Albert Lee’s loot.”

“His treasure.” I reached in my coat pocket and handed Betsy the house key. “Here, before I forget it. And thank you.”

She slipped it into her pants pocket. “You’re welcome. Is your cousin all right?”

“Luke or Virginia?” Sister asked.

“Both.”

“They’re okay. Virgil Stuckey’s talking to Virginia right this minute. Not that I think he’ll get anything out of her.”

“Well, y’all pull off your coats and sit down. I’m not doing a thing in the world but running around in circles here.”

She went into the kitchen while we pulled off our coats and sat down. The space heater in the fireplace had been lighted long enough to make the room cozy.

“I’m tempted to just call the Salvation Army and tell them to come clean the house out,” Betsy called. “But then I get to thinking that what’s here belonged to Jamie and Ethan’s grandparents and I know I ought to keep some of it. Things like their grandmother’s cedar chest, and Monk’s tools. Ethan might love to have them when he grows up.”

She came back into the living room with a tray with three cups of coffee on it, sugar, and cream. She placed the tray on the table in front of us, pulled one of the chairs over, and sat down.

“I’m so tired,” she admitted, reaching for one of the cups.

“Do you have help at your house?”

Trust Sister not to beat around the bush.

“No. I told my father-in-law last night that we may have to at least get a maid service to come in once a week. He’s strange, though, about people coming into the house. Almost paranoid.” Betsy sipped her coffee. “I guess because he’s disabled. He won’t even get anybody to help him, you know, like bathing and stuff. Terry has to do it.”

Sister and I glanced at each other while Betsy continued. Why would a person who could walk do this to his family?

“And I know he could drive a car. They make them for all kinds of handicapped people. But he won’t even try. Terry takes him to the bank every day. And wherever else he wants to go.”

“Well, how did you manage when you were working?” I asked.

“I just walked out the door, closed it, and was gone for eight hours.” Betsy put her cup down. Her hand was shaking, I noticed. “I can’t do that with Jamie and Ethan to take care of.”