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Hesitation gripped Jo. She should let Sam know what was going on. But Hazel had already disappeared inside, and if she wanted more answers, she’d have to follow. Besides, Hazel was a frail old woman, nothing for Jo to be afraid of.
Taking a deep breath, Jo stepped over the threshold into the dimly lit interior that seemed to swallow light whole.
The house smelled of stale smoke and old wood. Dust motes danced in the slivers of light filtering through dirty windows. Jo followed Hazel through a narrow hallway lined with crooked family photos, each frame holding a faded memory.
They entered a cluttered living room, where Hazel gestured to a worn sofa. The house was oppressive from the water stains creeping down the walls to the old worn fabric on the furniture. She felt sorry for Ricky living here.
As Hazel settled into an armchair, her eyes became distant, her words slow and measured. “Now, what’s this about a necklace?” Hazel’s voice trailed off, her eyes suddenly snapping back to the present. She looked at Jo with a new intensity, as if weighing whether to reveal more.
“It was a crystal necklace, the kind that reflects a rainbow of light. Do you know where it came from?” Jo asked.
Hazel took a long drag of her cigarette, the ember glowing in the gloom. Jo suppressed the urge to cough.
The silence stretched, thick with anticipation. Jo leaned forward, sensing the importance of what Hazel might disclose next. The old house creaked around them, as if echoing the tension of the moment.
Hazel’s demeanor transformed as a sharp, knowing glint appeared in her eyes. She leaned forward, scrutinizing Jo with an intensity that hadn’t been there moments before. “My sister-in-law had a necklace like that,” she said, her voice carrying a weight that made the air in the room feel heavier.
Jo shifted uncomfortably, feeling a chill run down her spine. “And where is your sister-in-law now?” she replied cautiously.
Hazel chuckled, a low, raspy sound that echoed slightly in the cluttered room. “Long gone. We were close once after she moved here. Sad thing what happened.”
“What happened?” Jo asked.
Hazel got that glazed look again. “There was a tragedy near their home.” Hazel shook her head. “They had to move away. The police had been poking around, and my brother-in-law, well… he wasn’t quite right.”
Jo’s gut churned. “Did they move up here?”
Hazel nodded.
“The Woodsons,” Jo said.
Hazel looked at her sharply. “How did you know? Is this related to that April Summers incident? Ricky had nothing to do with any of it.”
“I know,” Jo reassured her. The last thing she wanted was for Hazel to get mad and kick her out. Not when it seemed like she was going to finally get some answers. But could she trust Hazel’s answers? The woman was clearly not all there.
An ominous creak from down the hall captured Jo’s attention, drawing her gaze toward the shadowed entrance of another room. A fleeting glimpse of what seemed like an arm resting on a chair sparked her curiosity. Was someone else in the house, silently observing their conversation?
Hazel, noticing Jo’s diverted focus, commented casually, “Oh, that’s just the dining room. That’s where we usually have our tea. In fact, I seem to have lost my manners. I should have asked if you’d like some.”
Jo couldn’t shake off a creeping sense of unease. She didn’t want to stay for tea, but her detective instincts urged her to maintain a façade of normalcy if she hoped to get more answers from Hazel.
“Tea sounds lovely,” she said, her voice steady despite the racing thoughts.
Hazel nodded, her movements slow but deliberate. “You stay right here,” she commanded, her tone leaving no room for argument as she shuffled off to the kitchen.
Once Hazel’s footsteps faded, Jo seized the opportunity to investigate. She tiptoed toward the dining room, her heart pounding with a mix of anticipation and dread. Was someone in there listening, and what would they do if she appeared in the doorway?
She inched closer. There was someone in a chair… or something. She could see an arm, but it was oddly still.
“Here’s your tea.” Hazel’s voice in her ear made her jump.
Jo whirled around to see Hazel standing with a flower-patterned china teacup and saucer extended toward Jo. How had the women snuck up on her without Jo hearing?
“We’ll take it in the living room.” Hazel herded Jo back to the other room, and they sat. Jo took a few sips of tea to be polite.
Jo leaned forward, her focus sharpened. “Can you tell me more about your brother-in-law? What was the specific issue?”
Hazel’s gaze turned piercing, almost knowing. “I think you might know more than you let on.”
