“No evidence was found. That doesn’t mean it wasn’t there.”
“Cates recanted. He admitted he lied. Your father had nothing to do with Karen Coffey’s death.”
“Talk is cheap, as I’m sure you know.”
“I don’t understand where this is coming from.”
“He was convicted by a jury of his peers. She did what she could for him, but it wasn’t enough.”
“The newspaper account said a neighbor was there.”
Anna’s gesture was dismissive. “Mrs. Brandle. She’s a busybody. Mom says she doesn’t know what she’s talking about. Anyway, I shouldn’t have said anything. Mom did what she had to do. She’d be in trouble if the truth ever came out.”
“Were you home that night?”
She shook her head. “Ellen and I were at our cousin’s house. She had a pajama party for her birthday and we both went.”
“What about Ethan?”
“He was off with the high school marching band at a regional competition. I don’t know where the festival was held. I was twelve and I didn’t pay attention to those things. I remember he left on the bus with the other kids and he was gone until Sunday afternoon.”
“How can you be so convinced your dad was guilty when none of you really know if he was home or not? What’s your opinion based on?”
“What she told us, okay?”
“Are you telling me your mother lied about it?”
“Would you just drop it?”
I stared at her. “Your mother perjured herself?”
She looked away from me, her face shutting down. I didn’t think I could coax anything more out of her if I tackled the subject head on.
“Let’s drop the word ‘perjury,’” I said. “The statute of limitations has probably run out on that in any event, so it’s not an issue. I’m curious how you found out she was covering for him. It must have been after the trial.”
She looked off across the room.
“Giving me the time frame doesn’t threaten your mother at all.”
“Why do you want to know?”
“I’m just curious. Was it two years later? Five?”
“I don’t see why it matters.”
I shut my mouth. I could see her weigh the question, looking for the booby trap.
“Is that true what you said about the statute of limitations?”
“Sure. I don’t know how long it would run, but it’s been, what, fifteen years? Nobody’s going to go after her at this late date.”
“It was after Dad called Ethan to say he was out. He told Ethan he sued the state and got a settlement and that’s what he wanted to come talk to us about.”
I said, “Really. She never said anything before then?”
“I can see you’re trying to make something of it, but it’s all beside the point. The man was a drunk. First, last, and always. We deserved better than we got.”
Her eyes strayed to a point behind me and she said, “Crap. Look what the cat dragged in.”
19
I turned toward the archway that separated the billiard room from the lounge. Big Rat was making his way through the crowd, beer held aloft as he pardoned and excused himself, moving in our direction. I glanced back and realized that Anna had taken off. I caught a glimpse of her red sequined top as she headed toward the exit and wondered how she’d managed to move so fast. Meanwhile, Big Rat was all smiles. Like Anna, he was in hunting mode, having changed into a black sport coat with a black shirt under it. The silver tie added a jaunty note, like a gangster on the prowl.
He followed my gaze, saying, “Where’s she off to?”
“Who knows?”
“Sorry to break up your little tête-à-tête, though I gotta say she didn’t look all that happy with you.”
“How did you know where I was?”
“I didn’t. I swung by the Thrifty Lodge earlier. I thought with you new to Bakersfield, I might show you around, introduce you to the Brandywine if nothing else. Your car wasn’t in the motel parking lot, so I was leaving you a note when the desk clerk told me you’d checked out. I remembered you said something about a family emergency, so I figured you’d left town. I’m thinking, what the heck, I might as well give this place a try since I was coming here anyway. I walk in and there you are. How cool is that? Can I buy you a drink?”
“Don’t think so, but thanks. It’s just about my bedtime.”
“One drink. Come on. Are you having Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc?” He caught my look and laughed. “You didn’t think I knew about white wine, am I right?”