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“Thanks for taking part in this. You didn’t know Owen much.”
“What little I did, he seemed like a man who could have gone on to rule his world, but sometimes, things just get too heavy to carry. He might have been shouldering other burdens that nobody knew about.”
We spent the rest of our breakfast in silence, and then Grams called her town car. Bree arrived, with good news.
“The lawyers talked to my ex-clients. They’ve dropped the lawsuit. I don’t know what they said to them, but that’s one big worry off my chest. Thank you so much.” She looked positively gleeful. “I had no clue how I was going to deal with all of that. I’d like to pay you back for their time?—”
Grams held up her hand. “No, dear. Consider it a gift. They’re on retainer for me, and they manage my affairs. I pay them plenty.”
“They must be expensive,” I blurted out, then blushed. “Sorry.” Grams was reticent about financial discussions, I’d discovered. She seldom divulged much about her own affairs. I had the feeling she had money, because she’d had no problem buying a house in Port Townsend. But I never asked because it felt gauche.
“They are, far more than you probably know. But I have far more money than you probably realize.” She glanced at the clock. “Nearly time to go.”
“Oh! I forgot to tell you—I guess I was so tired I just blocked it all out. You’ll never guess what happened last night.” I launched into telling Bree about Gloria and what had happened. “The woman’s crazy pants.” I stared at my hands. “Actually, she’s a broken woman who just couldn’t handle the things that happened to her. I felt sorry for her. I don’t forgive her for destroying my shop—and somehow I think she had some magical hand in making my customers angry—she’s a powerful witch. Very powerful. But I do feel like she ended up with the rug pulled out from under her, and she fell hard.”
“Holy shit, that sounds scary. Have you talked to Daisy yet?”
I shook my head. “No, but I plan to call her on the way to the wake. Maybe she knows more now. I still wish Bran could come with us, but I understand why he can’t.”
“Speaking of the wake, the town car just pulled up outside,” Grams said, sliding her arms into her coat. As she buttoned the camel-colored trench coat, I slid on a light jacket. It would be warm in the car and, as far as I knew, we weren’t planning on traipsing outside for any reason.
“We’ll be back late,” I said. “If you need to go feed the dogs, no problem.”
“They’re in the car. I’ll set up a zip line so they can run back and forth—I brought a portable one with me, since I plan on being here all day. I’ll make sure they can’t get into the garden. While I’m here, I might as well take a look at the remains of your shop and see if I can salvage anything.”
I let out a relieved breath. “If you like, but be cautious. By now, who knows what’s left? It rained this morning, and after Gloria blew up the building, well…I’m not hoping for a miracle. The Fire Marshal inspected it, but it’s pretty clear what happened, especially with Gloria’s confession.” I gathered my purse and keys. “Ready, Grams?”
“Let’s go. Nice to see you, Bree.” Grams waved a be-gloved hand at her as we headed out the door. The town car was waiting.
* * *
The drive up the coast to Port Townsend was pretty, though the gloominess of the day filtered through the ever-present clouds. The wind swept briskly through the peninsula, and as the town car smoothly rolled along over the asphalt, I stared out the window. I didn’t feel like talking, I was so lost in my thoughts.
Bran hadn’t texted me yet, and I had this sudden fear that he’d go back to Gloria. That he’d feel obligated to stay by her side, given what had happened. I had grown to depend on him, and if he did take her back, then he’d probably distance himself from me.
But just as I was sinking into a depressed vision of him coming over to the house to tell me that he’d chosen to stand by her, I received a text.
morning, sweetheart. i’m so sorry about everything that happened with gloria. i just found out from daisy that gloria is implicated in julien’s death, and once she’s clear headed enough, she’ll be extradited to France. daisy’s not sure of the exact circumstances, but…it sounds like gloria may not have been telling the truth about what happened to her. julien’s family said that he broke up with her to go back to his wife and she stalked him. she broke in one night while his wife was gone to a show with their daughter, and stabbed him, then ran away. the embassy has no record of helping her escape—only of receiving word of the crime.
I stared at the block of text, trying to fathom what I was reading. “Grams, Bran said that Gloria was lying last night.” I read her the text. “Could she just be psychotic?”
“Could be,” Grams said. “Text him back so he knows you got it.”
I blinked. “Oh, yeah. I was just so startled by the news that I didn’t even think.” I texted Bran back. now, that blows my mind. i didn’t expect her to be lying. do you think she believes her story, or do you think that she knows she’s making up shit?
i don’t know, he texted. gloria was always sneaky and i’m thinking now that she was hoping to play on our sympathies long enough to either get away or to convince us not to call the police. whatever the case, it’s up to the psychiatrists and the judge now. we’re pressing charges for all the destruction, or insurance won’t cover it. and we’re pressing charges for assault because if she’s that far gone, we don’t dare take a chance on her coming at us again.
right, I texted back. okay, we’ll talk either after i get back. bree’s over at my house right now. i guess i don’t need her there, considering we caught gloria, but it makes me feel better knowing she’s watching over things.
i hope the wake goes easy, love. take care and i’ll talk to you soon.
I stuffed my phone in my purse and turned to stare out the window.
* * *
Port Townsend was open to the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and it overlooked the Salish Sea. On a clear day it felt like you could see forever over the expanse of waves as they rolled in to crest against the shore. The air was filled with the scent of seaweed and decay, but it was a comforting scent—the smell of home. The mournful call of the gulls sounded lonely, and as I stared at the tidy but eccentric town, I shuddered. I’d grown up here, I’d gone to school and met Rian and planned to spend the rest of my life in my hometown until the horrors that had happened.
As our car rolled through town, I caught sight of the building in which the Butcher had held Rian and me hostage, and I shuddered. Grams noticed.
