Part 53 (2/2)
”I've told you.”
”You've told me lies!”
Slamming both palms on the table, I leapt to my feet. My chair capsized and hit the floor like the crack of a gun.
”Evangeline wasn't murdered,” I said, tone as hard as my expression. ”At least she didn't die at sixteen.”
”That's nonsense.” Obeline's voice wavered like an audiotape that's been overplayed.
”Harry found Bones to Ashes, Bones to Ashes, Obeline. I know Evangeline wrote those poems. Some of them as recently as 2001.” Obeline. I know Evangeline wrote those poems. Some of them as recently as 2001.”
Her eyes darted past me to the window.
”I know about O'Connor House. I'm tracking the purchase order. I'll bet Virginie LeBlanc will turn out to be you or Evangeline.”
”You stole from me.” She spoke without bringing her eyes back to mine.
”I hate to break it to you, but what you and your husband have done is infinitely worse than pinching a book.”
”You misjudge us, and make hurtful accusations that are untrue.”
”What happened to Evangeline?”
”This is none of your business.”
”Was that the reason? Business? What the h.e.l.l, the kid works for Daddy. It's not in the job description, but I'll strip her, tie her with ropes, and take a few shots. She's young and poor, needs the work. She won't rat me out.”
”That's not how it was.”
I slapped the table so hard Obeline flinched. ”Then tell me. How was it?”
She spun to face me.
”It was my father-in-law's business manager.” Tears wet the gnarled flesh. ”He forced Evangeline to do it.”
”Mr. Evil No Name.” I wasn't buying it. If there was such a person, Obeline had to know who he was.
”David fired him the day of his father's death. I only found out about the pictures later.”
”What happened to Evangeline?” I'd keep hammering the question as long as I had to.
She stared at me, lips trembling.
”What happened to Evangeline?”
”Why can't you leave well enough alone?”
”Well enough? Who's well enough? Evangeline?”
”Please.”
”What happened to Evangeline?”
A sob rose from her throat.
”Did your husband kill her?”
”Don't be crazy. Why do you say this?”
”One of his henchmen?”
”David would never let anyone hurt her! He loves her!”
Obeline's hand flew to her mouth. Her eyes widened in horror.
As before, I felt a coldness spread through me.
”She's alive,” I said quietly.
”No.” Desperate. ”David loves her memory. Her poetry. My sister was a beautiful person.”
”Where is she?”
”Bourreau! Leave her alone.” Leave her alone.”
”I'm the bully?”
”You will only cause her pain. You will only hurt her.”
”Is she with this man?”
I remembered Obeline's words from earlier. How had she put it? David and this man needed each other.
”She won't want to see you.”
”He's hiding her, isn't he?”
”Pour l'amour du bon Dieu!”
”What? Did hubby swap your sister for Claudine? Needed a newer model?”
Obeline's face tightened into a mask of fury. When she answered her voice had gone harder than mine.
”J'vas t'arracher le gorgoton!” I'll pull out your windpipe! I'll pull out your windpipe!
We locked glares, but I looked away first. Was I feeling a touch of uncertainty? A motor sound drifted in from outside. Grew louder. Stopped. Shortly, the front door opened. Closed. Footsteps ticked up the hall, then Ryan strode into the dining room.
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