“You know what they say about playing with fire, Mace. Somebody’s bound to get burned.’’

fourteen

Marty took a sharp breath. Step faltering, she clutched my hand.

“It’s like seeing a ghost.’’ Her voice was hushed. “She’s the image

of Camilla.”

From Mama’s living room, we could see our dinner guest through the glass panels of the front door. Illuminated by the front porch light, the sister of the murder victim hesitated. She looked like she was trying to decide whether to ring the bell, or turn and run.

Mama was in the shower. She’d insisted Sal go out and leave us women alone to meet Camilla’s sister. He’d taken Teensy, so the frantic-barking, early-warning system was absent. The young woman had crept so quietly across the porch, her presence took Marty and me by surprise.

The doorbell rang. I gave Marty a little push across the living room.

“Buck up, sister. You invited her over because she can use some support. Now, answer the door so we can be supportive.’’

Squaring her shoulders, Marty welcomed Prudence Law into Mama’s home.

She did indeed look just like the newspaper picture of her slain sister. Her features were small and serious; her hair was long and dark. A fringe of bangs framed enormous eyes. Tonight they were puffy and red, and filled with sadness.

My sister clasped Prudence’s hand in both of hers, and pulled her across the threshold. “I’m Marty, and this is Mace. I worked with Camilla at the library. We are so terribly sorry for your loss.’’

Nodding in agreement, I stood by feeling useless. Marty and Mama were more skilled at giving comfort. I was relieved to hear the clack of Mama’s kitten-heeled sandals as she bustled from the bathroom hallway to the living room. She must have hurried to finish dressing. Her hair was damp, and she wore only one of the lemon-sherbet colored earrings that matched her pantsuit and shoes. A yellow scarf at her neck was slightly askew.

“Oh, honey … C’mere and let me give you a hug.’’ She enveloped Prudence in a baby-powder-scented squeeze.

Stiffening slightly, our visitor seemed taken aback. I’d always heard the English were standoffish. Mama’s hold didn’t loosen. Soon, Prudence surrendered. She lowered her head to rest on Mama’s shoulder.

“What an awful, awful thing.’’ Murmuring, Mama stroked the young woman’s back. “Don’t worry. We’re going to find out how this happened to your sister, aren’t we Mace?’’

When I didn’t answer, she peeked around Prudence’s head and scowled at me.

“The police are doing everything they can.’’ I refused to let Mama bully me into making an empty promise to Prudence about something that didn’t involve me or my family. “I just know they’ll get you some answers soon.’’

_____

“You’re missing an earring.’’ Maddie deposited several take-out containers from the Pork Pit on the kitchen counter, and then pointed to Mama’s right ear.

Mama examined her reflection in a silver toaster. “Well, you girls might have mentioned that before Maddie got here. Plus, my scarf looks like a monkey escaped from the zoo and came to my house to practice his knot-tying skills.’’

Removing her scarf, she shook out the wrinkles from the lopsided bow.

Marty peered down the hallway to make sure Prudence was still in the bathroom, and then hissed at Mama: “We were a little distracted!’’

I brought Maddie up to speed. “We were busy trying to comfort the loved one of a murder victim. But I can see how providing fashion commentary for Mama should have taken precedence.’’

“Don’t sass me, girl.’’ Mama slapped my wrist with the sherbet-colored scarf. “You are not too big for me to go out to the tree and cut a switch.’’

“Ooooooh!’’ I held out my hands and shook them. “I’m trembling.’’

Mama turned her back on me and re-tied her scarf. She started searching through her cabinets for serving platters for the meat and big bowls for the side orders.

“I don’t know why we can’t just eat out of the take-out boxes. You’re making extra work with all those dishes to wash,’’ I said.

“Well, why don’t I just dump out everything right on the table? We can eat off that. Who needs plates anyway?’’ Mama rapped her knuckles on the tabletop. “Heck, who needs a table? Maybe we should put dog bowls on the floor, and get down there and eat with Teensy. That way we wouldn’t have to wash any silverware, either.’’

“Since when does Teensy eat from a dog bowl? Every time I’m here, you’re feeding that ridiculous mutt by hand.’’

I looked at my sisters. Marty gave me a conspiratorial wink. Maddie didn’t seem to be paying attention. She’d pulled one of the white plastic containers aside. “No Sauce’’ was scrawled across the top with a heavy black marker. “The plain chicken breast is mine.’’ She pointed to the box. “My stomach’s still not feeling right.’’

Mama’s brow immediately furrowed, but Marty shushed us all with a whisper. “Here comes Prudence! Try to behave, would you? And let’s use the plates and the silver. We don’t want to reinforce her worst stereotypes about Southerners.’’

“Agreed.’’ Mama put a finger to her own lips, kissed it, and then placed it gently over my big mouth. “No sniping tonight, honey. Best behavior.’’

“I second that,’’ said Maddie. She poured herself a glass of soda water. When she sipped, a loud burp escaped.

“What did I just say?’’ Mama scolded. “Manners, Maddie!’’

Prudence’s face was flushed, and a bit damp. She’d been in the bathroom for quite a while. Had she been crying? I thought of how I’d feel if one of my sisters died. A natural death would be bad enough. But to know Marty or Maddie had suffered at the hands of some sex maniac? I don’t think I could stand that.

Mama finished dishing up the food. Marty was laying out plates. Maddie followed with silverware and a folded napkin for each place setting.

“What would you like to drink?’’ I asked Prudence. “We have sweet iced tea, wine, beer, or soda.’’

“Maybe I should stick to soda. I should have my wits about me, in case the police call with news.’’

She looked with longing at a box of sweet pink wine Mama had just hefted out of the refrigerator. Not waiting for Prudence to amend her order, Mama said, “One little glass isn’t going to hurt you, honey. You can dilute it with a bit of fizzy water or lemon-lime soda, if you’d like.’’

Relief flashed across Prudence’s face. “No, the wine alone will do quite nicely.’’

Mama handed over the glass, filled to the rim. Prudence didn’t protest that it was too much, or that she didn’t usually partake. She steadied the glass in both hands, raised it to her mouth, and took a huge swallow. Marty, Mama, and I exchanged a glance. Maddie didn’t seem to notice.

As Mama and Marty finished pouring their drinks, I watched Maddie. She smoothed her napkin, tucking it under her plate. Then she straightened her fork, which she’d already placed at a precise angle. She pulled her smart phone from her pocket, and checked for messages. With a small shake of her head, she put it away.

This was the longest I’d ever seen my sister last without filching a bite or two of food before a meal began.

“Let’s eat,’’ Mama said, as she sat. She reached across the table and the four of us joined hands. Prudence, who’d begun unfolding her napkin, looked wary.

“We normally say a blessing, honey.’’ Mama nodded for Maddie and me to include her in the circle. “Do you mind?’’

Her face reddened. “Of course not. Please, do go ahead.’’

Mama thanked the Lord for the food she was about to serve. Hopefully, He didn’t subtract points for the fact she hadn’t actually cooked it. She thanked him for bringing her girls together, and for showing Prudence the path to her home. Then she finished up.

“Please God, watch over this dear girl. Help her overcome her sorrow. Please guide the authorities in their efforts to find out what happened to her sister, Camilla. And, if you should wish it, please make Mace do what she ought to and use her skills to find the murderer.’’