snapping his fingers. Charlie thought Earlâs description the most apt of all.
And she noticed Mitch wasnât even looking at the screen. He was still staring at her.
Wouldnât it be interesting if Mitch Hilsten was angry because John B. had his arm around Charlie?
But Sheriff Sumpter arrived just then to arrest Charlieâs mother for the murder of Gordon Cabot and all else was forgotten.
Chapter 11
Mitch Hilsten drove Charlie into Moab in his Bronco, Scrag Dickens riding along in the backseat. Ahead of them, Edwina rode with the sheriff.
âWhere am I going to find a lawyer this time of night?â was all she could think of to say for miles. They were all pretty quiet. And thenââWill they let me see her tonight? I donât think sheâs feeling well.â Charlie was so numb she didnât realize she was crying until Scrag reached over the seat back to stroke her shoulders in silent sympathy. âHow could they tell it was her ax? That someone didnât switch axes? Anybody could have left one of her cigarette butts there. I mean, if you wanted to kill Cabot and blame it on someone else, Edwina was the answer to a prayer. She knocked him on his ass right in front of the sheriff of Grand County. Itâs such an obvious frame-up.â
âYou do love her,â Mitch said barely above a whisper.
âI never said I didnât love her. Just because I canât stand her, doesnât mean I donât love her.â Edwina had accepted the handcuffs and been read her rights without a whimper or a four-letter word. In fact with no word, just that scary gray acceptance. âWhich doesnât mean she did it.â
âMom?â Charlie, accompanied by a female cop, stood in her motherâs cell in the Grand County Courthouse in the wee hours of the morning. Edwina sat on the edge of her bunk swaying with exhaustion.
âWeâre worried too,â the officer said. âDoes she have any history of heart problems or other ill health? Do you want a doctor, Mrs. Greene?â
âIâm not deaf,â Edwina snapped back. âAnd no, I donât want a doctor.â
âSheâs not that old either.â Charlie was offended too. âYou donât have to treat her like sheâs elderly.â
âWhy not, you do,â her motherâs voice croaked out of the partial darkness. And then, âNever learn, do you? Thought at your age and being a mother yourself youâd have learned something by now.â
âHello? Are we on the same planet here? You have just been arrested for murder. And like, weâre talking about what? â
But Charlie knew. Sheriff Sumpter had counted noses while she and Mitch were on the supply run and Edwina had overheard John B. explaining where Mitch Hilsten and Charlie Greene were and why they should not be disturbed. Thatâs what her motherâd been so pissed about at dinner.
âAnd you believed him. Just because I made a mistake years ago and so should never be trusted again?â Not to mention that at thirty-two I have the right to sleep with someone if I want to. But Charlie knew that argument cut no ice with a parent.
âHow was I to know what was bred into your genes?â her mother whispered with that hateful hiss. âOr who was into your jeans before I even knew the damn pants were hot?â
Charlie churned with a familiar impotent frustration, knowing she was breeding the same cancer in her relationship with Libby and helpless to stop it.
âAnd yesterday you went off with John B. to Moab. Charlie, I didnât kill anybody, but they can hang me for this one and I donât care. Iâm worn out. So if you were planning on my raising Libby while you go off and have a wonderful life, youâre skunked, arenât you?â
âI wouldnât let you raise Libby if you were the last adult on earth. And Iâm not letting you take the fall for a
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