Chapter 26

She let him inside, and as soon as the door closed behind them, Henrietta called from the living room. “Who was it, Cassie?”

Mark took the lead and entered the room before Cassie. “Good morning, Mrs. Graham,” he said, smiling at her expression. Henrietta Graham had been reading a book, because it was open on her lap, and she looked mildly annoyed at being interrupted.

“Deputy Forrest, what on earth are you doing here?” she breathed out the words, sounding exasperated. “No, don’t tell me, it was Moira who called you and here you are.”

“That would be correct, Mrs. Graham.” Mark stepped away from the door and Henrietta gestured at an armchair nearby.

“Please, do sit now that you’re here. Would you like anything to drink?”

“No thank you, Ma’am, I just had coffee.”

A shuffling sound preceded Charles Graham’s approach. He was holding onto a wheeled walker and the sound came from his slippers on the old wooden flooring.