Page 25 of Wicche Hunt

“Promise me you’ll try, okay? One of us needs to live a full, happy life, and that creep made sure it wasn’t me.”

“I’ll try,” Hester forced out.

“Please do. I love you, Mom.”

“And I love you, my little one. So very much.”

“And, Arwyn?”

“Yes,” I said.

“Can you tell the detectives I remember the name of the restaurant we went to. It was the High Tide.”

“I’ll tell them,” I promised.

After a long pause, we heard, “It’s Sam again. I’m very sorry for your loss, ma’am.”

Hester nodded, a fingertip tracing the edge of my phone case. She didn’t want to let go.

“Thank you, Sam. I’m sure we’ll talk again soon.” I reached over to hit the end button and then waited, wanting Hester to do it.

She didn’t. Sam disconnected and then Hester reluctantly handed me my phone back.

“She said she didn’t hurt anymore,” Hester said. “I can’t stop thinking about her final moments, the pain and fear, and I wasn’t there to stop it, to save my baby.”

“Which is why,” I said, wrapping my arm around her, “she stuck around to make sure you knew she was okay. You don’t have to keep torturing yourself with that moment. She’s moved past it and wants you to as well.”

Hester nodded but didn’t seem convinced.

“And remember,” I went on, “Aunt Sylvia and Aunt Bridget are first in line, waiting to greet her and show her the ropes.”

Hester leaned into me and the floodgates opened. I was just about to text my mom and ask for tissues when she came out the back door with a box of them and a steaming cup of tea. She placed the box in Hester’s lap and the cup in mine, so I could balance it for her.

Patting Hester’s shoulder, Mom said, “Roger’s plane has landed. He’s going to our mother’s, but he’ll come see you tomorrow so you can discuss arrangements.” Expression strained, she turned and went back in, all without ever looking at me. I murmured soothing nothings while staring at the closed back door.

Eventually, I got Hester to drink some tepid tea and talked her into taking a shower. She needed to wash off the horrible combination of anguish and ennui.

While she got cleaned up and changed, I looked for Uncle Andrew and my mother, not finding them where I’d assumed they’d be—in the living room. I peered out the front window and saw both cars were gone. Shaking my head and blowing out a breath, I checked my phone. Sure enough, there was a text from Mom saying she had to go to Gran’s to see Uncle Roger and I should call a cab or that wolf for a ride home.

Aunt Hester lived too far away for what I felt like doing: angry stomping home. I checked Hester’s freezer. As I suspected, there were lots of sorrow casseroles, none of which looked great. When I heard Hester’s slippers shuffling down the hall, I closed the freezer door and met her in the living room.

“You need food,” I said. “Me too, come to that. I can heat up one of the dishes in your freezer or I can order something better to be delivered.”

“I’m not hungry, sweetheart. You don’t need to stay with me.” She glanced around the room. “Is your mom waiting for you in the car?” She curled up in the same chair I’d found her in when we’d arrived.

I sat on the arm of the couch. “No. Mom had to leave.”

Hester smiled softly. “Pearl always sat like that.” Her brow furrowed. “But I thought you didn’t drive. How will you get home?” She glanced around again. “I can take you.” She stood and went to her purse in the entryway.

I considered telling her I could call for a ride, but she was more animated, showed more purpose, than I’d seen since I’d arrived.

“That’d be great,” I said. “How about if we stop for food on the way and you can eat with me at the gallery.”

I felt aNocoming, so I added, “I’d really love for you to see it, if you’re interested.”

She looked down at herself. “I guess I should get changed.”

“Nah. Maybe just your shoes so you can drive safely. The rest of it, you don’t need to worry about.” She was wearing a clean pair of faded pajamas with an oversized hoodie and house scuffs.

---