A Killer Past Read Free Page B

ninja?’ Mary laughed and glanced toward the front door, where she’d hung her black windbreaker on one of the hooks.
    ‘It’s not funny,’ Ella snapped. ‘This neighborhood’s not what it used to be. Nancy said these guys were gang members, that she was scared just being near them. If they’re on Archer Street, how much longer before they’re on our street? I won’t even drive through that area anymore. It’s just blacks and Mexicans.’
    ‘Ella, your prejudices are showing.’
    ‘I don’t care. Things were better when you and I first moved here. People took care of their places, kept up their yards. You could go for a walk at night and not worry about gangs. I’m afraid to even turn on my light tonight for trick-or-treat. Did you see on the television there was another gang-shooting in the trailer park across the river?’
    ‘I saw.’ She’d been watching television all morning, waiting to see if there was anything about the boys or if anyone had recognizedher. One reporter on the 6.30 news said there’d been a gang fight on Archer Street, and anyone with information should call the police, but that was it. From seven o’clock on it was all about the gang-shooting in the trailer park.
    No mention of her, and she certainly wasn’t going to call the police and tell them anything.
    ‘Aren’t you afraid?’ Ella asked.
    ‘Afraid?’ Mary repeated and thought about the word. For years she’d been afraid someone would recognize her, but time had eased that fear. And growing up she’d lived with fear: fear that her mother would leave her, and she’d be all alone; fear that she’d end up like her mother; and then, in her twenties, fear for her life. But somehow she’d survived. Now that she was in her seventies, she didn’t even fear death. Not that she wanted to die, but with Harry gone, the idea didn’t seem as terrifying. ‘Afraid of what?’
    ‘Being mugged,’ Ella said. ‘I mean, if it could happen to two teenagers, it could happen to us. Who knows who’s going to be on the streets tonight? I hope mothers are wise enough to go trick-or-treating with their children.’
    ‘I just hope I have enough candy.’
    ‘Speaking of children,’ Ella went on, ‘I see your car isn’t in your driveway. So did Robby drive you home last night?’
    Mary avoided a direct answer by telling the truth. ‘He’s sure his mom is getting too old to take care of herself.’
    ‘Well, he’s got a point,’ Ella agreed. ‘I tell you, it’s not safe for someone our age to be out after dark. Not safe at all. How was your granddaughter’s birthday party?’
    ‘Good.’ Mary smiled, remembering. ‘Seems like just yesterday she was a baby, now she’s all grown up. I still can’t believe she’s a high school senior. Most of the talk last night was about where she’ll go to college.’
    ‘What did you get her for her birthday?’
    ‘I gave her that pin, the one you saw the day you helped me take Harry’s clothes to the Salvation Army. And, of course, money. What else can you give a teenager nowadays? Shannon has definite ideas of what’s cool and what’s “Oh, so last year.”’
    ‘Did she like the pin?’
    ‘I think so. I… .’ The sound of her doorbell stopped her, and Mary felt her heart start racing. ‘Someone’s here,’ she said, suddenly very tense. ‘I’ll … I’ll call you back later.’

CHAPTER THREE
    T HE FRONT DOOR opened a-ways, a safety-chain holding it in place. Through the opening, Jack could see a white-haired woman on the other side, wrinkles etching the corners of her blue eyes and around her mouth. ‘Yes?’ she said, frowning slightly.
    ‘I’m looking for Harry Harrington,’ Jack said. ‘Is he home?’
    The woman’s frown turned into a smile. ‘He’s in his eternal home.’
    ‘Eternal…?’
    ‘He’s dead,’ she supplied. ‘My husband died two years ago.’
    ‘Oh.’ It was Jack’s turn to frown. He turned slightly and pointed to the west. ‘The car. It’s