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"I'm not under arrest for anything, am I?" I asked him squarely, looking up once again.
He shook his head easily. "Not at all."
"Then I don't see why I need to justify wanting to go to a party. I had nothing to do with his death. I don't know why he left everything to me. In fact, I don't want any of it."
"So you're saying you'd be happy to sign it all off?"
I paused to think for a second. I had a vast wealth within my reach now, and I hadn't even gone to check any of it. I'd been holed up at home, avoiding people like the plague.
"If it means people will stop hounding me, yes."
The detective smiled sardonically. "I'm afraid it's not that simple, Ms. Davis. Unfortunately, we have a very legitimate tip that makes you a good candidate for murder."
My blood ran cold. "What do you mean?"
"We have reason to believe you ensnared Mr. Montgomery and got rid of him as soon as he said he'd sign everything to you."
"Hold your horses. Are you calling me a gold digger?" My voice rose against my better judgment.
"I didn't say the words, Ms. Davis. You did."
Yup, I wasn't gonna sit there and take this. I pushed the chair away and stood up. "I'm done here. If you don't have any concrete evidence, I'd like to leave."
He nodded. "Sure. But if you're called again, you will show up. And you will not leave this town for the extent of the investigation."
I scampered toward the exit without looking back. In fact, I blurred out all thoughts until I was in another rideshare, heading back home. This time, I managed to ignore all the mutters.
It was easy, given how full my head was.
Maybe I should have told the detective about Hunter? But that would mean they'd dig into my past and find out how I was connected to him!
And if they did that, they'd think I had reason to kill Harold.
I didn't. I didn't do it!
I closed my eyes, trying to blot out the world for just a minute.
"Well. Here we are. Hope y'all have a blessed day."
Even the driver sounded like he was judging me. I got out of the cab and began walking home.
The air was thick with the scent of blooming magnolia trees. Over the horizon, the sun had begun setting, its golden glow gracing the slow street.
A warm breeze carried the sounds of chirping crickets and distant laughter.
I finally gave in the thirty-first time my mama called.
"Junie?"
"Hey, Mama."
My voice felt thick with the tears I wasn't crying. I'd heard it said that there were occasions when everything except our eyes wept. Felt like one of those.
"I just wanted to let ya know that you always have a place to call home. Ain't no pressure here, darlin'. You come on back whenever you're ready, and I'll welcome you with open arms."
I wanted to go then and there and fall into her arms. I wanted to inhale her lemon verbena scent and cry and cry till I could cry no more.
But that meant carrying the gossip with me and getting her involved in my mess. So I trudged forward, my eyes stinging.
