Chapter 107

“Listen to the man,” I said.

She smiled and went down the stairs. We sat at the table and sipped our wine.

“That was a nice gesture, George,” the captain said.

“What were we to do?” I said. “It was either those boys or a charity. You know what a miserable cunt—sorry, Sarah—my sister Caroline is.”

“I can’t argue with that,” he said. “Your dad and I talked about that situation every once in a while.”

“George,” Sarah said, “does that family have a decent place in which to live?”

“Oh, yes,” I said. “Captain Plott told me that Lucinda inherited the house. It’s small but immaculate and tidy. So are the yard and the garden.”

“What does she do for money?” Sarah said.

“She works as a maid, cleaning rooms at one of the motels down in the valley.”

“That can’t bring in much money.”

“I suppose not. I know the boys give her money every time they earn some.”