In the Shadows

Cora’s head spun. “Do you think they want to kidnap you?”

“Or Charles. Or maybe she’s blackmailing my father. I

don’t know.”

“Do you think you ought to leave? If she knows where

you are . . .”

“I’ll send a wire to my father. She knows where we live at

home, too, so going back there wouldn’t solve the problem. I want

to keep it from Charles, but it’s probably safer if everyone is on

guard. We’ll talk with them about it. Besides, if Constance hasn’t

done anything yet, we’re probably safe for the time being. Right?”

Cora couldn’t find it in herself to agree. Nothing felt safe in

her town anymore.

Las Vegas, Nevada

October, 1948

twelve

A

RTHUR, NEEDED TO GET RID OF THOMAS AND CHARLES.

It was either that, or run away. Arthur could not bear

the thought of leaving Cora and Minnie behind, nor

could he devise a way to convince them to run with him.

But it was very clear to him now that whatever forces

were converging on this town, Thomas and Charles were

already tangled. He would not let Minnie and Cora be caught

as well.

He paced in his small attic room, a path well worn by his feet.

Dust motes hung lazily in the golden patches of dawn’s new light,

eddying and resettling every time he disturbed them.

The case called to him from its grave. There were lists in there,

connections his father had made. His mother kept the lists tacked

up, read them to herself. Mostly it was places but also names, and