“Yup.” When my mom wasn’t looking I shot him a look to get him to be quiet. “He sold everything he owns to get me, so he’ll treat me okay.” So shut up so my mom doesn’t get spastic.

My mother beamed and gave my hand a squeeze, but Takata looked horrified. “That’s my girl,” she said. “Always keep a few cards back.”

“I will.” A feeling of peace filled me as I gave her a hug good-bye. She was a cool mom. We broke, and I looked at Takata, then gave him a hug, too. God, he was tall. He seemed pleased until I tightened my grip on his shoulder, holding him while I whispered, “If you hurt my mother, I will be all over you like mist.”

“I love her,” he whispered back.

“That’s what I’m afraid of.”

My mom was frowning at me when I let go of Takata, apparently knowing I’d threatened him. But hey, that’s what a kick-ass daughter was for.

Ivy sidled up to me, looking nice in her jeans and sweater. “’Bye, Mrs. Morgan. Takata,” she said, clearly trying to get them out. She wasn’t one for long partings. “Let me know about the security for this solstice, Takata. I can get you a good price.”

Takata started edging backward. “Thanks. I will.”

He took my mom’s goody bag and escorted her out to the door. Matalina took advantage of the open door and corralled her kids, getting them out of the church on the excuse of taking the leftover fruit cups into their stump now that the rain had slacked off. My mother was chatting cheerfully as the door thumped shut behind them all, and I exhaled, soaking in the welcome silence.

Ivy started gathering the trash, and I pushed myself into motion. “That was fun,” I said as I took a pool cue and jerked free an end of the festive banner from above the windows. It fluttered down, and I tugged to pull the other end off.

Ivy came to help me wind it up. “Your mother had her hair differently.”

A soft feeling of melancholy slipped over me. “I like it. It looks better,” I said.

“Younger,” Ivy added, and I nodded. We were working the long banner together, folding it back and forth on the little brackets, getting closer to each other with each bend.

“I haven’t made any progress in finding out who killed Kisten,” she said unexpectedly. “Just eliminating people.”