cousin a piercing look. “You don’t believe that. You’re
just trying to make me feel better.”
Renie winced. “Well—I’d like to make you feel better. Frankly, you look like bird poop.”
“Thanks. I feel like bird poop.”
“I’d better go home,” Renie said as the movie
watchers broke up and headed for bed. “Is there anything I can do before I leave?”
Judith slumped farther into the chair. “We still don’t
know who Crappy Pappy is.”
“Does it matter?” Renie asked gently as she stood
up.
“No.” Judith’s voice was lifeless. “Nothing does.”
“Coz!” Renie gave Judith a sharp slap on the back,
then let out a little yip. “I keep forgetting, I’m supposed to favor that arm and shoulder for a while
longer.”
Judith looked up. “Are you okay?”
Cringing a bit, Renie moved her right arm this way
and that. “I think so.” She sat down across from Judith.
“Maybe I should wait a couple of minutes. I only
started driving again in July. Even though the surgeon
assured me I couldn’t dislocate it again, I don’t want to
take a chance and wreck the car.”
“Don’t mention dislocating our body parts,” Judith
said, though there was evident relief in her voice. She
hadn’t wanted Renie to leave just yet. “I worry about
my hip all the time. Unlike your shoulder, there are
certain things I can’t do because it’ll dislocate. I suppose that’s next—more major surgery.”
“Oh, coz!” Renie shook her head. “Don’t fuss so.
You’ll only—”
A banging at the front door startled both cousins.
“The witch?” Judith gasped.
“Dubious. Stay here, I’ll get it.”
“No,” Judith said, already on her feet. “Rest your
shoulder.”
With considerable trepidation, she went through the
dining room and the entry hall. Except for the small
Tiffany-style lamp on the table by the stairs, the rest of
the house was dark.
“Who is it?” Judith called through the door.
“Me,” came the voice on the other side. “Dade.
Dade Costello.”
“Oh!” Relieved, Judith hurriedly unlocked the door.
“Come in. I thought you had your key.”
“I did,” Dade said, rubbing at the back of his head.
“I guess I lost it.”
“Oh, dear,” Judith sighed. “Do you think it’s in your
room? When did you use it last?”
Dade shrugged. “I don’t know that I’ve used it at all.
Or did I?”
