“Fine,” I said. “I’ll be at home tonight.” As I rose, I nodded at both deputies. I knew I’d eventually catch hell from Kanesha for not telling her I wasn’t alone when I discovered Godfrey’s corpse. But I don’t think I would have done anything differently. Justin needed time to recover from the shock of Godfrey’s violent death before he had to deal with the law. I had bought him some time, though it could cause me trouble.

I made a beeline for the hotel restaurant, but the table where I left Justin was unoccupied. I hurried to my car. When I reached home a few minutes later, an aging Honda was parked near my mailbox.

In the kitchen, Julia and Justin sat at the table. Diesel was ensconced in Justin’s lap, and the boy cuddled the cat to his chest. Teapot, cups, spoons, and cream pitcher were neatly arranged on the table between mother and son.

Julia looked up at me, her face troubled. “Oh Charlie, what an unholy mess this is. I’m so sorry you and Justin had to see something like that.”

“I’m okay,” I said, giving her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “Justin, how are you?”

“Okay,” he said, his voice muffled. He was rubbing his head against Diesel’s neck. Diesel’s purr rumbled through the room.

I fetched a cup and saucer from the cupboard, and when I sat down Julia poured me some tea. I added cream and sugar and sipped. The warmth of the tea soothed and comforted, as always.

After a few sips, I set the cup down. Neither Julia nor Justin had spoken, perhaps waiting for me to break the silence. I could feel the tension in the room emanating from both mother and son.

“I spoke with the investigators from the sheriff’s department,” I said. “The person in charge of the investigation is Kanesha Berry.”

“Azalea’s daughter?” Julia frowned. “I hadn’t heard she was promoted, but that’s good for her, I guess.”

“It’s apparently temporary.” I shrugged. “The chief deputy is out on medical leave, and Kanesha is the acting chief deputy.”

“Why aren’t the police in charge?” Justin asked.

“In a big city, they would be,” I said. “But here it’s the sheriff’s department that investigates homicides. Our police department isn’t equipped for a major crime.”

“Thank the Lord things like this don’t happen very often in Athena.” Julia cradled her teacup in both hands and gazed down into it.

“I didn’t tell Deputy Berry that Justin was with me at the hotel,” I said. There was no gentle way of doing this.

“Thank you.” Julia smiled, but the lines across her forehead deepened.

“But they’re going to know, of course, that Justin spent time with Godfrey in that room today,” I said.