“You know, I don’t think I’ve ever heard you say
“Even
“My pleasure. I like your mother. She reminds me of you.”
“Really?” She could hardly believe it was true. She was nothing like her mother. “No one’s ever said
He laughed as he opened the door to the Vue. “Sorry! I didn’t mean it to be offensive.”
“No offense taken.” She waved to him as he started the engine. “Good night.”
She looked up at the night sky, shivering a little in the chill breeze that reminded her it was still spring. In another month it would be seventy-five degrees at night. If she was going to ride her bike to the park, she was going to have to dress warm. It might be insane, but she was going to meet Nightflyer.
Peggy went inside and said good night to her cousin and her aunt. They were already climbing the stairs with her mother and Naomi. Her mother seemed to have adopted the poor girl. “Why don’t you put in one of those stair machines,” Aunt Mayfield huffed when she saw her. “It would make this much easier. You’re not a spring chicken yourself anymore, Margaret!”
Peggy agreed and went to kiss her father good night. He was in the den with the television on, turned low, and a book in his lap. It was the way she remembered him best. He always had to do more than one thing at a time. She felt fortunate she took after him. Her mother was different. She was more focused, always knowing how to get things done. She had to do things her way, one step at a time.
Ranson put his book down when he saw her. “So what do you think about Sam being involved with Holles now that we know Holles may have something to do with Luther’s death?”
“I don’t think Sam knows anything about it. And we can’t really prove anything with those cottonseeds. They’re unusual in the city, but not in Albemarle. They could have come from anywhere. It’s circumstantial at best.”
“That’s true. But it’s all you’ve got right now. Sam might know something, too. Sometimes people know things they don’t know they know.”
“I know.” She laughed and kissed him. “Mom said you’re supposed to be telling me something. Is something going on with you two?”
He reached his hand down to pet Shakespeare. “We’re thinking about selling the farm, sweet pea. It’s a big responsibility. We can’t maintain it the way we used to, and you’re not interested in living down there. I should have had a son I could have guilted into helping out.”
Peggy laughed. “Sorry! I think you had more to do with my genetic makeup than I did. Seriously, Dad, if you two make that decision, it’s okay with me. Can I do something to help?”
He took her hand and kissed it. “Probably not. I wanted you to know. That’s all. Your mother has to make such a big fuss over everything.”
“Is that all?” She searched his face, wondering if she also got that secretive part of her nature from him.
“That’s it. Considering we’ve lived all of our married life on that piece of land, I think that’s enough.”
“I know. It will be a big move for you. What will you do?”
“Maybe move up here with you.” He glanced around the room. “You have plenty of space. I think we could get along well enough.”
“You’re probably right.” He sighed and picked up his book again. “So much for
“I don’t think so.”
“Anita Elberg, I think it was, scampering around in a fountain. If she tried that today, they’d arrest her!”
“Good night, Dad.”
“Keep me posted about what’s going on with Darmus.”
“I will.”
Shakespeare stayed with her father. When she saw he wasn’t going to follow her to bed, Peggy tiptoed to the kitchen and grabbed the light jacket she kept there. It was 11:40. She’d probably be early, but she’d never have a better opportunity to slip out unnoticed. Besides, it would take a few minutes to get to the park. If she were going to go, she’d better do it.
She walked her bike to the road like it was a car she couldn’t start without disturbing everyone, and glanced back at the few lighted windows in the house. Thankfully, Shakespeare hadn’t barked or tried to follow her. It was quiet. The only sound was the occasional car on Queens Road. She put her keys in her jacket pocket in case someone locked the house door while she was gone and shoved her cell phone into her pants pocket.
The section of the city known as Myers Park actually was built around a small park that, by day, was teeming with joggers and mothers with strollers, power walking with their headphones. Now it was empty. There weren’t crickets or birds at this time of night.
As Peggy circled the park, trying to decide where to put her bike, a cat meowed from behind a tree. It startled her and made her realize how alone she was. She could hear the sound of a truck off in the distance, probably at Harris Teeter making a delivery.
The breeze shook the new leaves in the oak trees. Looking around, she decided to leave her bike near the footpath where she could see it. She planned to sit down on a nearby bench and wait. She locked her bike, then stood up and peered into the dark.
