“Lewis Mason.”
Taylor opened the door and stepped away.
“How are you doing?” Lewis asked.
“I’m fine.” Taylor sat on the bed and looked at the television.
“What are you watching?”
“Some talk show. People on here would rather be with their pets than other people.” He wouldn’t look at Lewis. “This guy wants to marry his cat.”
“Takes all kinds,” Lewis said.
“Listen, about last night. I’m sorry I got you into this.” Lewis looked at the people on television. “I’m going to see Martin’s body tonight. Your grandfather was a Penitente. It’s a religious group.”
“My grandfather was Catholic.”
“It’s a Catholic group. I’ll come by here just before nine.”
Taylor nodded.
Lewis felt awful, like a bad man trying to pull a scared man deeper into trouble. He got up and went to the door. “You don’t have to go, you know.”
“I know.”
“See you later.”
Chapter Fourteen
Maggie and Laura arrived at the post office shortly after Lewis. Laura sat between the adults during the ride home. The child ate a chocolate bar. Lewis was quiet and Maggie asked no questions. Laura looked at her grandfather with candy on her lips. Lewis smiled and gave her his handkerchief.
“I had fun today, Papa.”
“I’m glad, honey.” He put his arm around her.
“Maggie and I have a surprise for you.”
“You do? What is it?”
“I can’t tell.”
“I’ll have to wait then, won’t I?”
“Yep.”
“Did you get your business taken care of?” Maggie asked.
“Yes, some of it. I have to go into town and finish it up tonight.”
Silence.
“I put some gas in the car,” Maggie said.
“Thanks.” Lewis was looking out the window again. They had started up the mountain. Down on the flat, Lewis could see smoke rising from the dump. There was not supposed to be burning in the fill, but a fire always raged. He used to like going down there when the county could afford a guard, even if it was fat Leroi. Now, the smoke irritated his eyes and the heat was disturbing.
“Whose car is that?” Maggie asked.
Lewis looked at the strange car parked in front of his cabin. He didn’t know anyone who owned a new, bright green Jeep. Maggie stopped beside it.
“Stay in the car,” Lewis said and got out. He closed the door and turned back. “Roll up the windows and lock the doors.”
Laura and Maggie did as he asked.
Lewis went to the door and tried the knob. It was still locked. He looked back at Maggie and Laura and shrugged. He came down the steps and walked along the side of the house, glancing in through the windows as he passed. He turned the corner. His heart stopped as he met another body.
Maggie pushed open her car door.
“Lewis.” It was Cyril Peabody.
Lewis let out a breath. “Christ, you nearly scared me to death.” He leaned against the house, waved back to the car. “It’s all right.”
“I just came out to say hello,” Cyril said. “Didn’t mean to startle you.”
“It’s okay.”
Maggie and Laura joined them.
“Cyril,” Lewis said, “I’d like you to meet Maggie Okada and my granddaughter Laura.”
“Pleased to meet you,” Cyril said.
“Long way to drive just to say hello,” Maggie said.
Cyril smiled at her. “Well, actually, I was expecting Lewis to call.” He looked at Lewis. “When you didn’t, I guess I started to worry. But now I can see that everything is fine.”
“Thanks for the concern.”
“Laura and I will start carrying in the groceries,” Maggie said.
Lewis nodded. “I’ll be right there.” To Cyril, “Come in. Have some tea with us.”
Cyril looked at the full car. “I can see I’ve come at a bad time. I’m a bit rushed anyway.” He watched Maggie and Laura go into the house. “Cute kid.”
“Yes, she is.”
“How did everything turn out?”
“I suppose you heard they’re calling Martin’s death an accident.”
Cyril nodded.
“That’s about it and I don’t know what to make of it.”
Cyril looked like he didn’t know what to say.
Lewis didn’t want to go into detail about Fonda’s and the Penitentes. He didn’t really understand what was driving him and he was embarrassed and he didn’t want to pull yet another person into the thick of the mess.
“Listen, I’d better get out of here and let you help with the unloading before you get into trouble. “He made a move toward his car.
“No, come on in, have tea and sit.”
“Sure.” Cyril helped carry in the groceries, then went back to the car.
“We’ll get that other stuff later,” Lewis told him.
Cyril wanted coffee instead of tea. The men sat in the living room. Maggie and Laura went out for a walk.
“I guess I rubbed your friend the wrong way,” Cyril said.
“Maybe. It’s a big step, her moving in here.”
“Oh, that’s what’s in the car. I didn’t know. I really should leave and let you two get things squared away.”
“They’ve gone for a walk now.”
They sat quietly and looked out the front window at the view off the mountain.
“That really is some piece of real estate,” Cyril said of the plateau below. “That gorge is something.”
“Yeah,” Lewis agreed, sipping his tea.
“Again, I’m really sorry about your friend Martin.”
Lewis nodded. “He was a special fellow.”
“Were you very close?”
“Reasonably, I guess.” Lewis looked at Cyril. “What did you think of him?”
“He was really concerned about his dog. That’s always a good sign to me.”
“Did he ever talk to you about anything?” Cyril asked.
Lewis chuckled. “That’s a broad question.”
“I mean like his dog and what was wrong with it. Something seemed to be bothering him when he came to my office. More than just the dog.”
Lewis rubbed his chin. “I’m not recalling anything.”
The back door made a noise being opened.
“Thanks for the coffee, but I’d better let you, you know.”
Lewis smiled. “Yeah, Maggie can be tough, too.”
“I’ll bet.”
“I’ll be in touch,” Lewis said. “Thanks for coming out.”
Lewis walked the man outside where they shook hands. Cyril climbed into his Jeep. Lewis watched the car round the bend of the drive, then grabbed the first of Maggie’s things to bring in. Maggie held the door for him.
“Cyril’s the vet I told you about,” Lewis said. He put his load down on the table.
“What did he want?” Maggie asked. There was an edge to her voice.
“What’s wrong, Maggie?”
“All this stuff is scary,” she said softly, mindful of Laura who was rinsing off a plum to eat.
“I know. It’s okay though.” He hugged her.
“Mushy, mushy,” Laura said.
“The plum?” Lewis asked.
“No, you two.”
“Caught in the kitchen,” Lewis said and pulled away. “Oh, my God.”
“Let’s get the rest of this junk out of the car and strewn about the house,” Maggie said. She continued to talk as she stepped outside, “Where it will remain for many years to come and when I’m asked…” She was outside and Lewis couldn’t hear the rest.
“I think she’s crazy,” Lewis said to Laura.
After unloading the car, Lewis stood in the living room and observed the disorder. “You weren’t kidding,” he said to Maggie.
“I’m serious about my clutter.”
He looked at Laura. “Do I recall hearing something about a surprise?”
“You’re not allowed in the kitchen,” Maggie said. “We’re making you a special meal.”