“No problem, kid. Your serve is coming back. Can’t force it.”

Hoffman and Josh walk over to my bench. Hoffman says, “Great job today. We’ll work on it again tomorrow. I’ll pick up the balls. You two know each other, right?”

I scoot over and pat the bench. Josh sits beside me, wiping his forehead with a white towel. “You have more questions, right?”

He’s so stupid he’s likable. I pretend to sigh, sniffle a little. I hate sniffles. “I do. If you don’t mind?”

Josh slumps beside me. He knows he can’t hide from me anymore.

“Thank you for the notes. I was so lost in grief, I just didn’t see the truth.” I pretend to dab the corner of my eye with a tissue.

Josh takes a deep breath. “I didn’t want to see it, either, Mrs. Harris. Because it’s horrible.”

30

6:50 p.m.

My heart thumps wildly in my chest. Horrible, he said. I love horrible. Calm down, Jane. I shake my head, cover my face with both hands. I pretend to recover. “Why don’t you start from the beginning?” I speak softly, in a comforting, motherly tone.

Beside me Josh’s right leg is bouncing up and down as if it’s on a miniature trampoline. He’s so jumpy, if I said “boo” he’d make a run for it.

I turn to Josh. I’m not sure why he isn’t speaking. Patience is such an overrated attribute. I’m glad I don’t have any. No wonder Betsy dumped him. I try again.

“Josh, it’s important that I understand how to help Betsy.” I smile and pat his bouncing knee. “I know you want the same.”

Josh shakes his head. “No, I’m sorry, I don’t want to help Betsy. I want to help Mary. Well, I wanted to. But it’s too late.”

I feign shock. “What do you know about Mary’s death? Tell me. Please.”

Josh takes a deep breath. “This is what I think. Betsy told Mary about her secret relationship with Bo. Mary didn’t approve. Betsy wanted Mary to meet Bo at the park, so she could convince Mary he was a good guy. Betsy didn’t tell me any of this, though.” He wipes his face with the towel. A dramatic pause.

I feel like shaking him. Come on already. “And?”