I nodded. “And Henry’s my friend.”

“Daddy’s friend, too.”

“I think I can help.”

“But how much help will it be if Henry ends up in the middle, between Daddy and you? How do you suppose he’ll feel then?”

“I’ll watch out for him. You know that.”

She was still, staring into the mirror. With sudden anger she flung a perfume bottle at her reflection. It shattered with the glass. I grabbed her shoulders as shards scattered on the dressing table. “Baby—I’m sorry …”

Her shoulders sagged. “Worthless.” Her voice was almost dead now. “I can’t do anything …”

“There’s Henry.”

Finally she nodded. “We can stay with him, if he needs that.”

“I’ll find out.” I picked up the drink and finished it in one swallow. “I think you should go to the Kells’ until I get back from the police. Call Rennie and I’ll drive you there.”

“I’m okay, now. Really.”

“It’s not just that. The police think whoever killed Lydia knew her and might do this thing again.”

She looked away. “It was Jason,” she said harshly. “I can feel it.”

“Whoever, Krissy, it was bad. Let me drop you.”

“No. I’ll lock the doors.” She didn’t look up. I hesitated, watching her. “Honestly, I’ll be all right. I just want to be alone. I can’t face anyone yet, that’s all.”

I didn’t move. Then Kris Ann raised her head in the cool, prideful pose I recognized as Cade’s. Softly she finished, “You’ll be late, Adam.”

I let her go.

I went through the house checking locks and windows. When I had done that Kris Ann put on a robe to walk me downstairs. At the door she shook her head, as if trying to dismiss a dream. “You need to do this, Adam. Even with Daddy there.”

“Even so.”

I touched her cheek and she shivered.

“Poor Henry,” she said.

Five

FIVE

As I drove to the police station, it came to me that my talks with Henry Cantwell had begun on a day like this.

It had been a bright spring afternoon, my first months with the firm. Our tax partner had left early to play golf and asked me to drop off Henry’s returns. When I got there, late afternoon was falling on the Cantwell place like a gentle mood, muting its colors yet lending them a strange richness that was almost dislocating. So I lingered a moment before pressing the buzzer.

A light-skinned black woman with Indian features answered and led me to the library without a flicker of acknowledgment. But Henry rose from his chair with a bright, surprising smile.

“It’s good to see you again, Adam. How long has it been?”

“Almost since the wedding, I think.”

“Too long.” He gave me a firm handshake and gestured toward the window. “Is that as nice as it looks?”