I felt myself tripping backward to the notion of Violet buried alive, as though i were in the car instead. Given the size of the Bel Air, there would have been sufficient oxygen to last for a while. The suffocation would have been slow, shutting her down by degrees. Anyone with asthma or emphysema would identify with her panic and suffering. I could only guess. Still, I found myself breathing deeply for the pure pleasure and relief.

When Liza finished decorating the cake, she opened the refrigerator door and tucked it on a shelf. She untied her apron and tossed it over the back of a kitchen chair. “What’s this about?”

I’d hoped to be subtle, working my way around to the subject by some delicate route, but I’d been sidetracked by the image of the dragon and came right out with it. “I think you lied about Foley.”

“I did?” She seemed taken aback, her tone tinged with surprise, as though falsely accused. Thousands might have lied about Foley, but surely not her. “About what?”

“The time he came in.”

She picked up and then put down the tube of bright blue icing she’d used to form the ground on which the dragon writhed. Apparently my approach wasn’t that persuasive because she didn’t ‘fess right up.

I tried again. “Look, Liza. His story’s been consistent for the past thirty-four years. He may have omitted an item or two, but most claims he’s made have been verified.”

“How do you know that?”

“Because I did the work myself and I’m here to testify.”

“I don’t understand what you’re getting at.”

“Liza, please don’t play games. It’s too late for that. My guess is he got home when he said he did and your account was just bullshit.”

“What do you want me to say, that I’m sorry?”

“No point apologizing to me. He’s the one you wronged.”

“I didn’t wrong him. Everything that’s happened to him he brought on himself.”

“With a little help from you.”

“Excuse me. Did you come over here to lay shit on me? Because that, I can do without. I’ve got a lot going on.”

I raised my hands. “You’re right. I take it back. Life is tough enough as it is.”

“Thank you.”

“Just tell me what happened. Look, I’m sorry about Violet, but I don’t understand what went on that night. Were you in the house or not?”

“Kind of.”

“Meaning what? Somewhere in the neighborhood?”

“Don’t be a shit or I won’t say another word.”

“Sorry. I forgot myself. Please go on.”