"For you," she said, handing it to me with her hand over the speaker. "Sounds strange."

"Hello," I said.

Julia Child's voice. "Is this the Patricia Anne Hol-lowell who is the sister of Mary Alice Crane?"

"Yes. Hello, Trinity."

"Mrs. Hollowell, I'm sorry to bother you, but I find myself in need of help."

"What can I do for you?"

"You can come get me out of jail. I tried to call your sister, but all I got was her answering machine."

"You're in jail?" I saw Haley stop on the top step and turn around.

"Yes. I'm in the Birmingham jail. I understand this is not the same jail where Martin Luther King wrote his famous letter, but a newer edifice. Are you familiar with its location?"

"I'll find it. What are you doing in jail?"

"They've charged me with breaking and entering. They have been kind enough not to lock me up, though, as yet. I explained to them about my claustrophobia, and they have been most understanding."

"Breaking and entering?"

"At Bobby Haskins's house, of course. It seems he has some kind of security system that alerts the police. I told them he should be the one arrested, and I am happy to say they seem to have taken me seriously and are trying to find Bobby. In the meantime, I can be released, I understand. There is a small matter of bail or something like that, but we can discuss that when you get here."

"Bail?"

By this time, Haley was standing by my side. "Who is it?"

"Trinity Buckalew," I mouthed. "I'll be right down," I said into the phone.

"Thank-you. I'll be here."

I hung up and turned to Haley. "Breaking and entering at Judge Haskins's. She wants us to come down and get her out."

"What fun!" Love was doing wonderful things for Haley, I decided. We left a note for Fred on the kitchen table explaining that we had gone to spring a friend from the Birmingham jail.

Six

The woman who committed suicide and the woman in jail are Henry's cousins. Right?" Haley asked on the way to town. We were in her car, since she had been parked behind me.

"His mother's first cousins, I understand. Sounds like an interesting family."

Haley stopped for a light. "You know, I've been thinking. We don't know anything about our family history, do we?"

"Would you like to? I can get you back as far as your great great grandparents on my side. Nothing spectacular. Not even landowners. Clerks and bookkeepers. Just plain nice people. Now, the Hollowells may be more interesting. Your papa said at the wedding that he would like to know more about them."

"Philip says it's good to find out about your family. In fact, he says it's something everybody needs to know. About inherited genes and stuff."

"Uh huh," I said. "Gotta watch those genes."