The Tell-Tale Horse

CHAPTER 26

True to form, Crawford did show up on Saturday morning. He called first.

Both Crawford and Sister sat on the Board of Governors for Custis Hall. The administration had been searching for a new theater director as well as a head of alumnae relations. Crawford strongly opposed one of the candidates, personally visiting every board member. Sister was first on his list because he wanted to get it over with.

After hearing his objections, Sister replied, “Thank you for doing the homework. I support your nonsupport of Milford Weems.”

Crawford folded his hands together. “Good. I won’t take up more of your time.”

“Before you go, I have a question for you. Do you intend to rent the Demetrios place?”

“I’d like someone who can farm. The house needs some fixing too.”

“Allow me to suggest a young couple, very young but clean-living and hardworking, Felicity Porter and Howard Lindquist. They’ll be married this summer, so I guess I should think of them as the Lindquists. He’ll be working with Matt Robb’s construction company, so he has the skills to repair the buildings.”

“Felicity’s not going to college?” He was incredulous, worried. “Night school. Piedmont Community College.”

“What a waste. That girl belongs at an Ivy League school.”

“Most people feel that way, and you’re in a position to help them. Obviously, they haven’t a cent, although she is working part-time for Garvey Stokes and that will be full-time when she graduates. He’ll be making some money but they don’t even have a car yet.” She held out her hands as a supplicant. “If they repair the house and paint the interior, would you consider a significant reduction in rent? They’re good kids and”—she smiled—“they’re in love.”

He perceived the situation. “I’ll talk to young Lindquist.” He half smiled too. “Thank you for your suggestion. If I don’t get someone in that place it will slide into ruin.”

“They’ll be good neighbors.”

“Well, I don’t know Howard but I think Felicity is mature for her years, very sensitive.”

This time he stood up; Raleigh and Rooster stood too. Golly, lounging on the back of the den sofa, couldn’t be bothered to see a guest out, even an unwelcome one.

Sister walked Crawford into the wide center hall, built to allow a breeze to cool the house in Virginia’s sweltering summers, and to the front door, with its overhead fan and glass panels on either side.

“Awful thing about Faye Spencer,” Crawford said.

“Yes, it was.”

“Vajay is the man most under suspicion, but Ramsey Merriman had a lot to lose.”

Sister perked up. “Have you told Ben?”

“Yes. I don’t like saying stuff like that, but under the circumstances Ramsey should pay the consequences for his affairs.” He shook his head. “Bragged about it. Said he seduced that Indian girl on one of his trips with High to Washington. Said High never suspected or perhaps never cared, I don’t know. Then he said he tried to talk the woman into sex with him and Clayton. They’d pay her thousands. She refused and cut him off. What a fool. Anyway, he called and cussed me out and so did Ilona. I did the right thing.”

“Yes, you did.”

As she watched him drive away in his metallic dark-red Mercedes, she felt more confused than ever but she had accomplished two important things: She found a home for the kids because she knew Crawford would respond to them, and she put loyal people around one who was not loyal.

Always keep your enemy in front of you.