Page 28 of Raging Inferno

“I’m sorry. Do I know you?”

“You used to. I’m Presley Parrish.”

Charmaine shook her head. “I don’t know that name. Are you with the new family that moved to town two weeks ago?”

“No, I’m Gwen Parrish’s cousin.”

Again, her head moved from side to side.

Presley gawked.Seriously?“Are you telling me you don’t remember Gwen? She was one of your best friends.” Still nothing from Charmaine. “You were both cheerleaders from first grade through high school. Cheerios.”

Charmaine’s brows narrowed before widening again, and she jerked as if shocked by a taser. She rushed to close the door. “I-I’ve put that part of my life behind me.”

Dominic placed a hand on the panel to stop it. “We need to talk to you, Charmaine. It’s a matter of life and death.”

Charmaine glanced behind her, her body trembling. “I-I don’t know. No, I can’t.”

“We won’t be long,” Presley assured her. “But we won’t leave until you listen to us.”

Charmaine’s shoulders slumped. “Okay. We can talk in the den.”

Presley glanced at Dominic and mouthed, “What was that?”

He shook his head and shrugged.

Charmaine led them into a room decorated with mismatched furniture, frayed throw rugs, and several religious figurines. A musty smell permeated the gloomy space. Charmaine bowed at a replica of Jesus, her lips moving in prayer. Presley caught only one phrase:Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned.

Presley sat beside Dominic on a plaid couch and waited for Charmaine to finish. When she did, she genuflected and turned to them with hands clasped before her. “What can I help you with?”

“We’re here because of Margy Binder and Nancy Baker.”

Charmaine started to shake her head, but Presley wasn’t having it. She jumped to her feet. “Cut the act, Charmaine. I know you remember them. You were as close as sisters once. There is no way you just forget them.”

Charmaine’s mouth tightened. “As I said before, I’ve put that part of my life behind me.”

“You don’t care that your friends are dead?” She felt Dominic come up behind her. “Are you that cold and unfeeling?”

Charmaine flinched as if slapped, but Presley felt no remorse. The amnesia act was ridiculous.

“I don’t know what you are talking about.”

Dominic stepped forward to speak, probably thinking Presley was close to slugging Charmaine. He wasn’t wrong.

“Charmaine, Margy Binder and Nancy Baker died a few days apart. They perished in fires.”

Charmaine trudged to a brown recliner and dropped like a rock. “I had no idea.”

Presley and Dominic retook their seats on the couch. “Charmaine—”

A young boy with dark-brown hair rushed into the room, cutting Presley off. “Momma, Momma, Ruthie took my truck.”

Charmaine dropped her arms. “Abraham, I’m busy. Talk it out with your sister. Remember, Jesus is watching you.”

The boy frowned and stomped out of the room. Charmaine waited until he was gone before turning to them.

“Margy and Nancy are truly gone?”

“I’m afraid so,” Presley confirmed.

---