“Schuyler, you had no power over her death. You had nothing to do with it at all. She was . . . in the wrong place at the wrong time. That’s all. There was nothing supernatural about it. And it’s not surprising that you would have felt that way. It sounds like your mom didn’t give you much breathing room. Maybe you can talk to your father about this?”
“Maybe eventually. He doesn’t know what to do right now. He wanders around the house staring at things like he’s never seen them before.”
“It sounds like you need each other. You need to be there to help him get through this.”
“I feel so guilty. I never appreciated her, never loved her the way she deserved. And now she’s gone.”
This was out of my league. I wasn’t a shrink. But I tried to give her a reason. “She made it hard to love her. It sounds like you spent a lot of time being angry with her and embarrassed by her. I’m sure she knew that you loved her, but she probably also knew that she was overbearing.”
Schuyler looked down at her sneakers. “Why would anyone murder her?”
“I don’t know. I don’t think anyone knows right now. But I can assure you that the cop on her case is very good. He’ll figure out what happened.” I stood up and held out my hand. “May I walk you home?”
She took my hand and let me hoist her up to her feet. We began to walk toward her house. “I wish I could make it up to her.”
I didn’t want her to suffer like Natasha, who was spending her whole life trying to be someone her father would approve of and love. “She knows, Schuyler. I’m certain that she knew every time you held her hand or smiled at her.”
Schuyler stopped walking and gazed at me. “Do you really think so?”
“I’m positive. Day-to-day life can be trying. We all get mad at people we love. That doesn’t mean we don’t love them.”
“Hey, Sophie, do you know anyone who has lived in Old Town for a really long time?”
“I do.”
“For school we’re supposed to interview someone about what Old Town used to be like a long time ago. I have to interview someone old to get the story.”
“I see.”
“I don’t mind talking to people, but a lot of kids have a grandparent they can go to. . . .”
“I have the perfect friends for that. Two little old ladies who would love to chat with you. I can almost guarantee you an A in that class.”
As we approached Schuyler’s house, Tilly was outside talking to someone on the sidewalk. The moment she saw us, she broke off her conversation and hurried toward us. “Where have you been?” She hugged Schuyler to her.
“Your father is worried sick. Come on over to my house, and we’ll give him a call.”
Schuyler entered the house first. Tilly hung back and said, “Her dad is at the funeral home making arrangements. She either left her phone at home or wasn’t answering. He freaked out. It was just like when Mia disappeared! I was about to form a search party.”
I followed her into the house. Schuyler had joined Briley at the kitchen table. Briley looked glum.
Wesley and Jericho watched me with interest. “Any word from Wolf?” asked Jericho.
I chose my words carefully. “I saw him briefly this morning. They haven’t found Abby yet.”
“You saw him?” Wesley ambled over.
“I did. But he had little to say. Only that they didn’t find Abby.”
Wesley looked at Briley. “What’s wrong with you, sourpuss?”
Tilly didn’t give her a chance to answer. “Don’t mind her. She’s put out because she has a homework assignment to tell a story about the history of Old Town.”
“That doesn’t sound so bad.” Wesley sat down at the table with her.
Tilly wiped her hands on a kitchen towel. “Honey, I’m sure we’ll find someone.”
Schuyler almost smiled when she said, “Sophie knows two ladies who have lived in Old Town a long time. I could share them with you.”
Briley brightened a little. “Really?”
“Absolutely,” I said. “Would you like to meet them? I bet they won’t stop talking. I’ll just make a couple of quick calls.”
Minutes later, I reported, “Francie and Eunice are thrilled. Here’s Eunice’s address. I predict that you and Schuyler will have fun with them.” I extended my hand to give Briley the slip of paper.
Wesley snatched it out of Briley’s hand. “I’ll drive you over.”
“Dad, please!” Briley seemed embarrassed.
“Wesley, you coddle them too much. This is Old Town and they’re not babies,” said Tilly. “You two walk over there. And here.” She handed them a white bakery box tied with a red gingham ribbon. “Some of the apple cupcakes I baked yesterday. Don’t forget to thank these ladies for being so generous with their time!” Tilly ushered them out the back door as quickly as she could.
She closed the door and said, “This is the best thing for Schuyler. It will get her mind off Mia for a little while.”
Wesley frowned. “I don’t mean to be impolite, Sophie, but Tilly and I don’t even know these women!”
“They’re little old ladies, Wesley. Not ax murderers.” Tilly got back to work creaming butter and sugar.
“Tilly thinks I’m overprotective.” Wesley leaned against the kitchen counter where Tilly worked.
“Get used to it, Wesley,” Tilly said. “In just a few years they’ll be off to college.”
“Would you care for some tea, Sophie?” asked Tilly.
“I need to get going, but thanks for asking.”
“Thanks for bringing Schuyler home. How did she seem?”
“Remorseful. Now she wishes she had been more loving toward Mia.”
“Mia told me there was a time when she thought she would never have a child, but then Schuyler came along.” She paused. “I have to think of her exact words, because I could relate. She said, ‘Schuler is so precious to me. I want to shrink down to fairy size and sit on her shoulder to make sure everything goes well for her.’”
I laughed. “Except for shrinking, that’s pretty much what she did, according to Schuyler.”
“I guess a lot of parents feel that way. Wesley and I have talked about this. He feels like Mia did. But I was on a set most of the time. My mom was always there hovering over me. And when she wasn’t, the studio teacher was. I never had time to just be a kid and hang out. I don’t want Briley to feel that way. I want her to have friends, and fun, and make a few mistakes along the way so that she’ll learn.”
Wesley paled. “I don’t want her making the mistakes I made.”
I hoped he was talking about silly things kids do. But I wondered if he meant something else. Something bigger, like murder.
“Not anything major.” Tilly laughed. “I think it’s part of growing up to not be perfect all the time. We can’t shelter them from everything. I want Briley to be confident in her own abilities. Little things like letting them walk over to see a couple of old ladies will build their confidence. They can do that!”
Wesley tapped his fingers on the counter. “I still don’t like it. Maybe I should tail them in my car!”