5

Hillside Manor

Molino Road, Fayetteville, 6: p.m.

The memory care facility had been built on the hillside overlooking the town-thus the name Hillside Manor. A grand old house built in the late eighteen hundreds, the home had represented a status symbol for the wealthy Lott family who d resided there. The last of the family-a daughter named Sarah-nursed both parents through the horrific stages of dementia. In her will, since she had no children of her own or other family, Sarah left the house and land, as well as the remaining family riches, to the city for the purpose of developing a memory care facility for patients like her parents.

Hillside Manor had been Luna s choice for their father s care. Vera had been okay with that decision. She d heard mostly good things about the facility. The fees associated with long-term care at Hillside were a bit exuberant, but she, Eve, and Luna all pitched in to supplement their father s savings so it would be enough. As his daughters, they had a duty to ensure he was comfortable for the rest of his days.

Even if he had failed his two older daughters so completely in the after .

You know, Eve said as she and Vera strolled toward the entrance, they say Sarah Lott s ghost still roams these halls.

Of all the things-good and bad-said about this place, Vera noted, only you would latch on to that one.

Eve grinned. Who s to say ghosts aren t real?

Vera was not going there. Be nice. This is important to Luna.

Luna was already at the reception desk when Vera and Eve walked in. Their younger sister hurried over and pressed peel-and-stick visitor badges to their chests.

Now. She smiled widely, but the expression lacked her usual vivaciousness. We re ready.

Luna turned and led the way to their father s room. Vera reminded herself that Luna was still very young. Having been spoiled so by all of them, she wasn t quite as mature as she might otherwise be. That said, no one could question her organization skills-or her innate proficiency at being bossy.

Vera had actually hoped after the visit to the funeral home that Luna s fianc would occupy her for the evening so Vera and Eve could talk further. But that hadn t happened. Vera had barely gotten home from the visit to the crime scene when Luna returned and insisted they go together to see their father and to give him the news about her mother. Like he would grasp the ramifications of what they were saying.

Be nice, Vee.

But it was true. This endeavor was pretty much pointless, since most of the time their father had no idea what planet he was on, much less who his long-missing wife was. But if it made Luna happy, then it had to be-for all their sakes. This was Luna s world, and they were just paying rent. It was the motto Vera and Eve had lived by throughout the after period. In truth they still did. Case in point, here they were marching down the corridor like soldiers on a mission-at the behest of their fearless leader.

As they entered the room, Vera drew in a deep breath and pasted on a smile she almost had to choke back. Why was it that no matter how much a place like this cost, it still smelled the same? A combination of medicine, cleaning products, and urine.

Daddy, Luna said, as if calling him to the stage for an award. Look who s here! She turned to Vera and gestured with her hands like Vanna White showing off the next letter in a prize puzzle. Vera has come all the way from Memphis to see you. Isn t that wonderful?

Vernon Boyett had already been tucked into bed. He stared at the muted television that was set to a decades-old sitcom. His mouth sagged just enough to leave a crack between his lips. His gray hair was a bit mussed, and his jaw sported a slight evening shadow that was equally gray. As he glanced toward Luna, his gaze remained distant, then swung quickly back to the television.

With a nudge from Luna, Vera moved closer to his bed and increased the wattage of her smile, making her lips feel brittle. Hey, Daddy. How re you feeling today?

He looked toward her and blinked but said nothing.

Luna grabbed Eve by the arm and pulled her closer. Eve always lingered in the background, and Luna always tried to integrate her into the forefront of whatever they were doing. It was like family dinners, where everyone talked about their days except Eve. Or gift-giving time at Christmas, when Eve had to be prompted to open her presents when everyone else had already ripped through all theirs.

Eve s here too.

Another fleeting, blank glance from their father.

He may be a little tired this evening, Vera offered when his silence continued. Generally, he would say hello or some other greeting in acknowledgment of another human presence, even if he didn t recognize the person.

Vera really would have preferred to just leave. Sensory overload had hours ago exhausted her. She needed to close out all else and let her mind still for a while. This final outing reminded her that it was a full-time job keeping Luna happy. Always had been.

How had she and Eve gotten through as well as they had?

Daddy, Luna persisted, leaning her folded arms on the bed rail, we have some important news to share with you.

Whether it was the move closer or her persistence, he regarded his youngest daughter. Even held her gaze until she spoke again.

They found Mama.

He blinked.

For reasons Vera couldn t fathom, she found herself holding her breath. Would he remember who Sheree was?

He blinked again, then asked, Where s she been? His voice sounded eons older. It was rusty and cracked, barely recognizable. His voice used to be so deep . . . so strong. He d been tall and handsome-was still handsome actually. How sad that this disease had stolen so much of him.

While Luna practically vibrated with joy that he d spoken, Vera and Eve exchanged a surprised look. It almost seemed that he understood the relevance in Luna s words. It was typically hit or miss as to what he would grasp in a conversation.

Someone took her from us, Daddy, Luna explained, her voice wobbling. She s been dead all this time. She reached out and squeezed his hand. Mama didn t leave us. Someone took her.

Vernon s gaze narrowed as if he was trying to understand the words, or perhaps he did. Probably not much taking to it, he said finally. She probably went because she wanted to. He shook his head, the move barely visible. That one never was happy with what she had.

Luna looked to Vera, her lips trembling, fresh tears perched on her lashes.

Vera put aside her indifference and stepped closer to the bed. Daddy, what Luna is trying to tell you is that Sheree has been dead all this time. She didn t run off with someone else.

Vernon frowned. Are you from the police? Where s Fraley? I want to talk to him. He was supposed to take care of all this.

I am, Vera told him. Technically she was, even if suspended. Sheriff Fraley has retired, and there s a new sheriff now. You might remember him, Daddy. It s Gray Benton.

He blew out a puff of air. Is he sober?

Fair question. Unexpectedly so. As best as I can tell, Vera said.

He s a good sheriff, Daddy, Luna said, her voice still sounding shaky. He thinks someone murdered Mama.

Did the world a favor, Vernon mumbled.

Luna drew back as if he d slapped her.

Vera reached for her arm. Gave it a squeeze. He doesn t know what he s saying, she assured her little sister quietly.

Luna tried to smile but failed miserably.

Vera turned back to the bed. We ll let you know when we have more news. You rest now, Daddy. I m sure this has been a shock. Damned sure had been to Vera.

He glared at Vera now. Where s that Eve? Sheree said she won t listen to a word she says.

I m right here, Daddy. Eve sidled in next to Vera. I ll try to do better.

Vera was grateful Eve hadn t argued with him. Luna didn t need the added stress just now.

You better, Vernon said. She s trying her best, and you know it s not easy for her after all she s been through.

I know, Daddy, Eve said.

Vera reached between them and gave Eve s hand a squeeze to show her appreciation.

We ll be back to see you soon, Daddy, Luna promised.

Vernon stared at her, his face blank. Who are you?

Vera winced. Of all the people he didn t recognize today, Luna shouldn t have been one. She came to see him nearly every day. She had taken care of him the final year he lived at home. Vera was certain it pained Luna, even though she understood that it was the disease talking.

Why, you know who I am, Daddy. It s Luna.

He stared a moment longer, then nodded. You don t fool me. I know who you are. I told you I can t marry you. It would hurt my daughters too much. I can t do that to them. They just lost their mama.

Now he obviously thought she was Sheree. If there was even an inkling of truth to what he d just said, maybe he hadn t so readily blown up their lives only a few weeks after their mother died. Vera wondered if Sheree had purposely gotten pregnant to change his mind.

I ll see you tomorrow, Daddy. Luna s voice sounded brittle now. Apparently, his words had injured her a second time. Maybe this wasn t the first time he d spoken to her as if she were Sheree. God only knew what he may have said to her. He and Sheree had navigated some fierce battles in those final weeks before she disappeared.

Luna turned away from the bed. Vera and Eve did the same. The three of them had made it to the door when he called after them. If Fraley had been any good, he would have found her a long time ago. I kept expecting him to.

The shock his words caused was evident on Luna s and Eve s faces. Vera imagined her expression reflected the same.

Had he known she was dead all this time?

Impossible.

Once they were in the corridor, the expected reaction flew from Luna s mouth. He couldn t have known . . .

Vera shook her head. Of course not. It s the dementia. He didn t know. We watched him grieve. I m sure he means that her disappearance should have been solved long ago-not that she was dead.

Vera steadied herself. Good God, this was a nightmare.

He stayed after Fraley all the time, Eve chimed in. Went to see him every week even years later, wanting an update on what the man was doing to find Sheree.

Luna nodded, seemingly appeased.

As they made their way back to the lobby, every staff member they encountered stopped them to pass along their condolences. Apparently, they had all heard about the find, the probability that it was Sheree, and the fact that she had been murdered.

Bless your heart, one of the nurses said, I m so glad they finally found your sweet mama.

How terrible, another said. Sheree was so kind. She certainly didn t deserve such a terrible fate. She was an angel.

It went on and on that way. Vera had no idea who these people were talking about, but it sure as hell wasn t the Sheree she had known. She felt confident they were only being kind.

Luna s fianc was waiting for her when they reached the house. He said his aunt had called him from Hillside-she was employed there-and told him about seeing Luna in tears. He whisked her away for a quiet dinner.

Vera was grateful. She needed some peace and quiet.

As the truck s taillights disappeared in the distance, Eve asked, Do you think Daddy knew she was there all this time?

Vera turned to Eve. I suppose it s possible, but I really don t think so.

If he did, Eve went on, that means he knew what we d done.

Maybe, Vera agreed. She weighed the possibility, too damned tired to react on an emotional level. This was strictly her analytical side doing what it was supposed to do: analyze.

But if he had known, why hadn t he said anything? Asked questions?

The chances that they would ever know his reasons or if he even actually knew anything at all were lost to the dementia.

Unless he d confided in someone.

Vera didn t dare say that part out loud.

If someone else knew . . . they would hear about it soon enough.