Page 162 of Trust No One

“Oh, who are these people?” Edith asked.

“That’s Mommy, Daddy, and me. That’s Raine. She’s in the house.”

“Why are you and your parents outside the house?” Edith asked.

“Because we are,” she said.

“Eat your cereal,” Edith said.

The girl took a bite, swiped a drizzle of milk from her lips, and then jumped down and hurried into the living room.

“This isn’t the place for a child,” Edith said.

“I grew up here,” I said. “Maria and Gabe spent many hours here.”

“This place is past its prime. It’s too old.”

“I’m talking to a contractor.”

“Renovation brings chaos.”

This conversation wasn’t steering toward steady waters. “The medical examiner will release Maria’s body to my custody. I’m having her cremated and her ashes buried in the Hale cemetery. What would you like to do with Gabe? He’s welcome to rest by Maria in the family plot.”

Her eyes watered and then hardened. “Gabe on Hale land. You’ll have them all with you then, won’t you?”

“I was thinking about Molly. She might want her parents together.”

Her expression shifted, subtle but noticeable. “You barely know the child.”

Impatience gnawed at me. “None of it’s what I want. I miss Gabe and Maria. But I’m making the best of it. Including raising Molly.” Silence pressed. “I’ve contacted the funeral home. As soon as they call me back, I’ll work out the logistics. Let me know if you want Gabe here or not.”

“He never wanted to be buried. Hated the idea of being trapped underground.”

“Their ashes can be spread together in the cemetery.”

A hint of warmth. “I’ll think about it. I’m not sure. I might want my son buried.”

“Let me know soon so I can tell the funeral home what to do. Either way, a service will help Molly with closure.”

Edith set her coffee down. Her gaze scanned the room. “I wish I had a nickel for all the hours I’ve spent in this room.”

Thousands of hours when Mom was alive and after. I wished Edith and I had gotten along better. She was one of my last connections to Mom and the good parts of my past. “Do you remember Amy Stocker?”

“Sure. She was always lurking about once you let her into the house. Why are you asking about her?”

“You saw the police lights?”

“Yes.”

“The police found Amy’s body on Hale land.”

Her frown deepened. “No one would tell me why they were here.”

“Did you ever talk to Amy when she worked here?”

“Our paths didn’t cross often. But I was polite. She asked me a lot of questions about the house and you. She was very curious.”

“I never realized how obsessed she was with Hale House.”