out shifted into genuine interest and
pride in the boy’s accomplishments.”
“Which meant the focus came off Sadie, yes?” The pieces were beginning to fall into
place, the picture they formed more than a little disturbing.
“Precisely,” Leona declared. “It became all she could talk about at society events,
charitable drives, and the beauty shop. She found it deplorable that her husband was
being used as—and I quote—a well-paid babysitter.”
“Do you think he was?” It was a question she hated to ask but one she needed to explore.
Margaret Louise sighed. Loudly. “I think he was a friend. First to Parker and Charlotte,
and then to Brian.”
“And he stuck with Brian even after Parker allegedly took off?”
“The two of them been runnin’ the company ever since, sendin’ Charlotte checks like
clockwork just so that worthless piece of garbage could pilfer it right out of her
pocket.” Margaret Louise let up on the gas pedal as the turn for Tom’s Creek approached.
“We’re talking about Ethan now?” Tori asked.
“Who else?” Margaret Louise piloted the car right, the back end of the wagon kicking
up dust as they left pavement in favor of gravel. “Charlotte signed the checks, Frieda
deposited them, and Ethan became good friends with the ATM.”
Tori rested the back of her head against the window and sifted through everything
she’d heard thus far. What it all meant, if anything, was unclear save for one thing . . .
Ethan Devereaux wasn’t nice.
He wasn’t nice at all.
The car slowed again, this time turning left into a parking lot containing a bright
blue half-sized bus and a white four-door sedan.
“Looks like you’re about to meet Jerry Lee.” Margaret Louise maneuvered the station
wagon around the bus and pulled into a vacant spot beside a large green Dumpster,
her finger drawing Tori’s attention to the sedan parked to the left of the modest
building’s side entrance. “When Parker left, Jerry Lee stepped in to fill his role
here, too.”
For a moment, Tori simply sat there, studying the building’s well-maintained grounds,
which included a circular walking trail and a few benches. “I wonder if he knows,”
she mused as her gaze moved from the grounds and the building to Margaret Louise.
“About Parker.”
“Livin’ in a town that thrives on gossip the way Sweet Briar does? Why, I reckon he
must. But there’s really only one way to find out for sure, and it ain’t by sittin’
here in the car wonderin’ if he does, now is it?”
Chapter 10
The Devereaux Creek Center for the Mentally Challenged was, without a doubt, one of
the happiest buildings Tori had ever entered. The sunshine yellow walls that greeted
visitors and clients alike created an instant mood lift, as did the happy music wafting
out of a nearby room. Artwork ranging in ability from childlike to near professional
lined both sides of the front hallway with an accompanying miniature plaque attached
to each picture boasting the name and age of its artist. Comfy couches and bean bag
chairs were scattered around an open area that might normally be a waiting room in
a doctor’s office yet presented itself as a family room there at the center.
“Wow, this is really nice,” she said, looking around. “The place just makes you feel
all warm and happy inside, doesn’t it?”
“That’s certainly the intention.” A tall, lanky man Tori judged to be in his mid-seventies
strode into the room with a generous smile that stopped just short of his eyes. “Welcome
to our center, is there something we can help you with . . .” His words trailed off
as the identity of Tori’s friends clicked inside his head. “Oh. Margaret Louise. Leona.
What a nice surprise.”
Leona lifted her cheek for a kiss then took advantage of her sister’s moment in the
sun to smooth her skirt, perfect her ankle-cross pose, and give her salon-softened
gray
pride in the boy’s accomplishments.”
“Which meant the focus came off Sadie, yes?” The pieces were beginning to fall into
place, the picture they formed more than a little disturbing.
“Precisely,” Leona declared. “It became all she could talk about at society events,
charitable drives, and the beauty shop. She found it deplorable that her husband was
being used as—and I quote—a well-paid babysitter.”
“Do you think he was?” It was a question she hated to ask but one she needed to explore.
Margaret Louise sighed. Loudly. “I think he was a friend. First to Parker and Charlotte,
and then to Brian.”
“And he stuck with Brian even after Parker allegedly took off?”
“The two of them been runnin’ the company ever since, sendin’ Charlotte checks like
clockwork just so that worthless piece of garbage could pilfer it right out of her
pocket.” Margaret Louise let up on the gas pedal as the turn for Tom’s Creek approached.
“We’re talking about Ethan now?” Tori asked.
“Who else?” Margaret Louise piloted the car right, the back end of the wagon kicking
up dust as they left pavement in favor of gravel. “Charlotte signed the checks, Frieda
deposited them, and Ethan became good friends with the ATM.”
Tori rested the back of her head against the window and sifted through everything
she’d heard thus far. What it all meant, if anything, was unclear save for one thing . . .
Ethan Devereaux wasn’t nice.
He wasn’t nice at all.
The car slowed again, this time turning left into a parking lot containing a bright
blue half-sized bus and a white four-door sedan.
“Looks like you’re about to meet Jerry Lee.” Margaret Louise maneuvered the station
wagon around the bus and pulled into a vacant spot beside a large green Dumpster,
her finger drawing Tori’s attention to the sedan parked to the left of the modest
building’s side entrance. “When Parker left, Jerry Lee stepped in to fill his role
here, too.”
For a moment, Tori simply sat there, studying the building’s well-maintained grounds,
which included a circular walking trail and a few benches. “I wonder if he knows,”
she mused as her gaze moved from the grounds and the building to Margaret Louise.
“About Parker.”
“Livin’ in a town that thrives on gossip the way Sweet Briar does? Why, I reckon he
must. But there’s really only one way to find out for sure, and it ain’t by sittin’
here in the car wonderin’ if he does, now is it?”
Chapter 10
The Devereaux Creek Center for the Mentally Challenged was, without a doubt, one of
the happiest buildings Tori had ever entered. The sunshine yellow walls that greeted
visitors and clients alike created an instant mood lift, as did the happy music wafting
out of a nearby room. Artwork ranging in ability from childlike to near professional
lined both sides of the front hallway with an accompanying miniature plaque attached
to each picture boasting the name and age of its artist. Comfy couches and bean bag
chairs were scattered around an open area that might normally be a waiting room in
a doctor’s office yet presented itself as a family room there at the center.
“Wow, this is really nice,” she said, looking around. “The place just makes you feel
all warm and happy inside, doesn’t it?”
“That’s certainly the intention.” A tall, lanky man Tori judged to be in his mid-seventies
strode into the room with a generous smile that stopped just short of his eyes. “Welcome
to our center, is there something we can help you with . . .” His words trailed off
as the identity of Tori’s friends clicked inside his head. “Oh. Margaret Louise. Leona.
What a nice surprise.”
Leona lifted her cheek for a kiss then took advantage of her sister’s moment in the
sun to smooth her skirt, perfect her ankle-cross pose, and give her salon-softened
gray
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