Mrs. Reddy looked at me for a long moment. “Why, we wanted her to stay home more for one thing. We wanted her to come home after she was finished with the job at your house, but she wouldn’t do it.”

“How did you know she was finished?”

“Why, she called and told us.” Mrs. Reddy seemed bewildered by my questions.

“I thought maybe my son had told you.”

“The only times we’ve seen your son is when you’ve been with him.”

“Except for last night.”

“That’s right, of course. Did George tell you Duff was here?” George was still in the room, watching us.

“No, Duff told me. Also the deputies.”

“Ah.”

“I must apologize for Duff’s dropping in on you that way.”

“No need. He’s more than welcome—the more so now that poor Stephanie is gone.” She turned to George. “You get to bed now, sonny. School tomorrow. Say good night to Mrs. Caine.”

He went off quickly, throwing one worried glance back at me. Mrs. Reddy nodded to her daughter and Rose followed the boy.

I wasn’t concerned that he would say anything about our visit to the meeting room. He seemed as much in fear of these people as I was. I resolved to get him away from this house before we went back East. Surely the authorities wouldn’t permit him to stay once they were informed about what was going on.

Emil Weber came in then. He, at least, had been weeping. His eyes were red and his lower lip was quivering. He had also been drinking.

“Whatever took you so long out there, Emil dear?” his mother-­in-­law asked.

“I was checking the oil in the car. Making sure it’s OK in case we have to go back to the . . . you know . . .”

I expressed my sympathy. He took my hand, clutched it and began to sob. The poor lout was a victim here as much as young George, I thought.

“You’ll have to move the car. Mrs. Caine wants to leave,” Mrs. Reddy told him sharply.

I wanted to stay longer and hopefully learn more, but I couldn’t think of any excuse to do it.

“Is there anything else I can do?”

“If there is, we’ll call you.”

“When is the funeral?”

“There won’t be a funeral. We’re not churchgoing people. Stephanie’s body will be cremated when the coroner gets through with it.”

“I think that’s the best way,” I said. “A funeral and the visitation time before it can be gruesome. My husband told me of the difficulties that occurred before Aunt Hannah’s funeral.”

“There weren’t any difficulties so far as I know.”

“About where she was to be buried.”

“Oh, that. Just a misunderstanding.” She had taken my arm and was practically pushing me out the door.