Grave Sight by Charlaine Harris Page B

now.”
    â€œThis woman” felt like throwing up her hands in exasperation. “This woman” did not like being spoken of as though she weren’t there.
    Paul Edwards appeared in the doorway behind Sybil. His hair was dark with rain. He put his hand on Sybil’s shoulder, I thought to move her farther into the room so he could get out of the weather. I also thought it would be nice if they shut the door, since the wind was gusting in. Sybil stepped forward reluctantly, but his hand stayed on her shoulder.
    For the first time, it occurred to me that there might be more between the two than attorney-client privilege. I’m just not as sharp about the living as I am the dead.
    Nell’s face shut down completely when she saw Paul Edwards. All the youth slid out of her mouth and eyes, and she looked like a hooker with her heavy eye makeup and tight clothes, instead of a cute kid trying on her personality.
    â€œHello, Miss Connelly, Mr. Lang,” Edwards said. He focused on Nell. “I’m glad we caught up with you, young lady.”
    I wondered if Edwards was related to Sybil Teague’s deceased husband. His ears were the same shape as Nell’s, though otherwise she looked more like her mother.
    â€œRight,” Nell said, in a voice as expressionless as they come. “Thanks for coming out to look for me, Mr. Edwards.” You could have cut the sarcasm with a chain saw.
    â€œYour mother doesn’t need anything else to worry about, Nell,” he said, with so much gentle reproof in his voice that I wanted to deck him. I had no doubt that Sybil Teague had suffered over the loss of her son, but I was pretty sure Dell’s little sister had been missing him, too. If anything happened to Tolliver, I’d . . . I found I couldn’t even imagine it.
    I’d rather have been out doing “cause of death” for a whole cemetery than be standing in that room right then.
    â€œGoodbye,” I said, making a hostess gesture toward the door. I was sure no hostess actually indicated her guests should leave, but this was my room, and I could behave as I chose. Everyone looked astonished except Tolliver, who smiled, just a twitch of the lips. I smiled myself, and out of habit they all responded, though uncertainly.
    â€œYes, of course. I’m sure you’re tired,” Sybil said. Like a true lady, she was providing a reason for my discourtesy.
    I opened my mouth to disagree, but Tolliver beat me to it. “We’ve had a long day,” he said with a smile. Mary NellTeague suddenly looked at him with more interest. When Tolliver smiles, it’s so unexpected it gives you a pleasant surprise.
    Within a minute, the mother and daughter and lawyer were on the other side of the door, which was exactly where I wanted them.
    â€œHarper,” Tolliver said, in a reproving way.
    â€œI know, I know,” I acknowledged, without any regret. “What do you think she was really here for?”
    â€œI’m trying to figure it out. Wait a minute, which ‘she’ do you mean?”
    â€œI mean the mother.”
    â€œGood. Me, too. You think she was here to find out what Nell was saying to us? Or to keep us from telling Nell anything?”
    â€œMaybe we should be wondering why Nell was so determined to talk to us. You think she might actually know something about her brother’s death?”
    â€œWe’re getting too wrapped up in this. We need to get out of Sarne.”
    â€œI agree. But I don’t think the sheriff will let us leave.” I drooped on the end of the bed, trying not to look at myself in the mirror opposite after one quick glance. I looked too pale and even a little haggard. I looked like a woman who needed a big mug of hot chocolate and about ten hours’ sleep.
    I could do something about that. I always carry powdered hot chocolate with me, and there was a little coffeepot in the room. After making sure Tolliver