where I’d spent so much time wrestling with my own loss. They’d been my lifeline then, she and Jannine. Sixteen years, and it seemed like only yesterday.
"How did it happen, exactly? The paper didn’t have much information.”
Nona had her back to me, spreading mayonnaise on slabs of bread. “I’m not sure I know much more myself. Jannine called me yesterday about five to say
Her words were cut short by the sudden, sharp slap of the back screen door. Jannine dropped her purse in the corner, and then, without saying a word, slumped wearily into the chair next to mine. She looked half-dead herself, worn and frayed around the edges like a cast-aside rag doll.
“Kali brought us some dinner,” Nona said, in an overly cheerful tone.
Jannine looked up at me and smiled, but only for a moment Then she rested her elbows on the table and stared woodenly off into space.
“How’d it go, honey?”
Jannine shrugged.
I reached over and covered her hands with my own. “I’m so sorry,” I told her. The words sounded hollow, but Jannine nodded numbly.
Then her eyes filled with tears, and her mouth began to tremble. She took short little breaths as though she were gasping for air. “It was awful,” she said, pressing her fists hard against her mouth. “Eddie’s dead and they don’t even care. They kept asking me all these dumb, picky questions, over and over. I’d answer, and they say it back to me like it was the stupidest thing they’d ever heard.” Her voice wavered and she swallowed hard. The tears spilled over and streamed down her cheeks. “It’s almost like they don’t believe me. Like they think I killed him.”
I gave her a quick, reassuring hug. “That’s just their way.” I’d dealt with enough cops to know that the brusque manner pretty much came with the uniform, but it didn’t always reflect what went on underneath. “They want to make sure they’ve got it all exactly right,” I told her. “Details are important.”
“Maybe,” Jannine said, but she didn’t look convinced.
“Do they have any leads yet?”
“Besides me, you mean?” She gave a brittle laugh and wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand. “I don’t know, they didn’t tell me much. ‘We’ll be in touch’ seemed to be about the extent of it. I’m sorry, Kali, but I’ve got a splitting headache. I’ve got to go lie down.” She smiled once more, fleetingly. “Thanks for coming by, and for bringing food. It was real nice of you.”
“Go on and rest, I’ll stop by again tomorrow.”
Jannine pushed back her chair and stood unsteadily. “Are the kids okay?”
Nona nodded. “I’m making them lunch right now.” Jannine paused by the kitchen door as though she might say something more, but then turned and left without another word.
“Dear God in heaven,” Nona whispered, her voice hoarse and trembley. She stood motionless for a moment, staring at the empty doorway, then she took a deep, labored breath and resumed her sandwich-making. “Would you like some lunch?” she asked me over her shoulder. “Or a cup of coffee? It won’t take long to make a pot.”
I shook my head. “In fact, why don’t you let me finish with the lunches. I'll bet you could use some rest yourself.”
“Thanks, honey, but I need to keep busy.”
“At least let me help then.” I got out glasses and started to pour milk.
Nona turned abruptly and faced me. “You really want to help?”
“Of course.”
“Then see if you can find out what’s going on.”
I must have looked puzzled.
“With the police, I mean.”
It took a moment before I understood what she was asking. “You think they might actually believe Jannine killed Eddie?”
Her face closed up tight. It was a look I knew well. “You can’t be serious,” I said.
“I know them, Kali. Once they think they’ve found the killer, they won’t look any further.”
That was pretty much true everywhere, but I couldn’t believe the police, even in a backwoods