Part 31 (1/2)
Anne stuck out her hand. ”Give me that,” she demanded. Taking the sketch, she looked it over for a second. ”The flowers,” she said, tapping the picture. ”They look like the ones blooming on the bush by the step.”
”I know that. I recognized them, too. It's why I wandered outside.”
Anne's eyebrows arched. ”But do you know Blanche planted that bush?”
”Who told you that?” Sam asked with a frown.
”You-when you were rambling. You also said Alice gave her the seeds.”
”Alice? Alice at the Beauty Barn?”
”Must be.” Anne slapped her thighs and rose to her feet. ”I say we go have a chat with her. What do you think?”
Sam looked up at her. ”To be honest-I don't see the point. What difference does it make who planted the bush? Or if it was Blanche, where she got the seeds?”
Greg leaned forward. ”Sam, last night you said you wanted to prove that it was Blanche who was haunting your dreams. If Alice can confirm what you told Anne, it's one more piece of evidence.”
”Evidence that I'm not crazy,” Sam murmured with her eyes downcast.
Anne grasped Sam's arm and pulled her to her feet. ”Come on, let's go.”
Sam stared out the window while Anne parked the car in front of the beauty shop. Signs announcing specials decorated the windows, and beyond them, she saw a beautician working on a client. She didn't spot Alice's signature hairstyle.
”I don't think she's here,” Sam told Anne warily.
”Do you want to wait in the car while I run in and check?”
”I don't know-I think my time would be better spent talking to an attorney.”
”Why are you so reluctant to talk to Alice?”
She didn't know what to say. Part of her wanted to learn why she was having these dreams. Another part of her was afraid. What if the answers only confirmed that something was seriously wrong with her? What if her dad was right and she should be committed? She couldn't handle another stint of confinement in a hospital.
Without waiting for Sam's answer, Anne hopped out of the car and returned in a few moments. ”You were right,” she said, getting in the car. ”Alice didn't come in today-she's at home.” After starting the car, she pulled out into traffic. ”It's not far. We'll be there in a minute.”
True to her word, a short time later, Anne stopped in front of a small ranch-style house. Sam knew instantly that the house belonged to Alice-poodle lawn ornaments were scattered across the yard, and by the door, two Love Lies Bleeding bushes bloomed profusely.
Reluctantly, Sam got out of the car and followed Anne to the door. Alice answered the knock right away and, not masking her surprise, invited them in.
”What can I do for you ladies?” she asked, leading them to the back of the house.
”Um-well-” Sam stammered, not knowing how to begin.
Anne saved her. ”We want to ask you some questions about Blanche Jones,” she said bluntly.
That's right, Anne, Sam thought, get directly to the point. Don't ease into it.
Alice's eyes widened. ”Blanche? She hasn't lived around here for years.”
Anne tugged Sam forward. ”You know she's staying in the old Jones cabin and we're curious. Someone mentioned you'd been friends.”
”People don't like talking about Blanche,” Alice mumbled.
”Why is that, Alice?” Anne asked.
”She could be . . .” Alice paused. ”Well, difficult.”
”But you two were friends?” Anne persisted.
”Yes.” Alice's attention moved to the kitchen clock. ”This isn't a good time. I don't want to rush you off, but I have an appointment.” She crossed to the counter and began fussing with some papers that were stuck behind the telephone.
Sam stepped toward her. ”We won't keep you, but I have to ask you a question. Did Blanche plant the bush growing at the cabin?”
”That old thing still alive?” Alice asked, obviously without thinking.
Sam nodded. ”You gave her the seeds, didn't you?”
Alice shoved the papers into a drawer. ”I really have to be going.”
”I've one more question,” Sam said, edging closer. ”Was Blanche with Edward the night of his accident?”
Alice's hand flew to her throat. ”How did you know?” Her head wobbled back and forth in confusion. ”I've never said a word.” Her eyes narrowed. ”Did Edward tell you?”
”No.”
”Then how-”
Sam cut her off. ”Where's Blanche now, Alice?”
”How should I know? I haven't talked to her in years.”
She was lying; Sam was sure of it. A terrible suspicion crept through her mind. The b.l.o.o.d.y corpse in her bed. She knew the truth. She knew why Blanche had been literally haunting her.
”Blanche never left the lake, did she, Alice?” she demanded.
Alice tried to dodge around her, but Sam blocked her.
”She's dead, isn't she?”
Anne gasped while Alice suddenly crumpled into a nearby chair. She covered her face, her shoulders beginning to shake. Kneeling in front of her, Sam placed her hands on Alice's legs.
”What happened, Alice?” she asked gently.
Alice's hands fell away from her face and she stared at Sam with her eyes full of tears. ”She's not dead, but she might as well be.”
Sam sat back on her heels in shock. She'd been so sure.