If Catfish Had Nine Lives(38)

            “Yeah, I suppose,” he said.

            “How did it go with Cliff?”

            “He didn’t tell you?”

            “I haven’t seen him. You feel like sharing? I’m very curious.”

            Teddy was sitting on the couch; he shifted, but not uncomfortably so, more like a thoughtful, purposeful move, as if he was still trying to put all the pieces together in his head.

            “Yeah,” he said. “But I’m not sure what I remember, even now. I ended up with a concussion.”

            I swallowed a jolt of bitter anger. If the person who had done this to my brother was Norman Bytheway, he was now dead, but I still wanted to hurt him. I silently told myself I just needed to be grateful that Teddy was still alive; his attacker had probably wanted a different outcome. And we couldn’t be sure it was Norman anyway.

            “Just what you can,” I said, attempting to keep my voice calm and even.

            “I know I’d had a couple beers, but nothing outrageous. I wasn’t drunk at all. In fact, I’d had the beers over the course of a long few hours. I was having fun, though. Those poets are a fun group. I met a couple girls, had some laughs, but nothing serious. I remember Norman sitting next to me as some of the poets were reading. He seemed like a pretty nice guy. He was kind of with that girl Esther, I think, and I don’t think I noticed that she was paying me any special attention until it was kind of too late. I tried to get away, what would you call it—remove myself from the situation—but Norman laughed and said not to worry about it. He acted like it was no big deal, and Esther eventually went away on her own.”

            “Is Esther cute with really red short hair?” I asked.

            “Yes, that’s her.”

            “You sure it was Esther who was interested in both you guys?”

            “I think so, but I also think she was more interested in Norman than in me. Or they were just talking. That might have been it.”

            I nodded. “How late was it when he asked you to help him with the firewood?”

            “Really late—after midnight, that I know for sure.”

            “Who was around at the time?”

            “Not as many as there were earlier, but the only person I do remember is a pretty brunette. And I only remembered her when Cliff started asking me questions. She must have overheard Norman ask me to help him, because she laughed a little and then went away. I remember her because I thought she was so pretty and I liked her laugh. I don’t know, though, it’s all still just flashes and partial pictures. I might not have the details right, or at least all of the details.”

            “Did she have a mole above her lip? Gram would call it a beauty mark.”

            “Maybe.”

            “You hadn’t seen her earlier?” I said.

            “No, I don’t think so, but I just can’t be sure.”

            Teddy might have been referring to Vivienne, or maybe not. There wasn’t enough information to know for certain.

            “Stay away from Esther, Teddy. I think Jake’s interested,” I interjected. Of course, I wasn’t so sure I wanted Jake to get involved with Esther now. Telling Teddy to keep his distance was just a precaution.

            “Got it.”

            “Do you remember what she said to you?”

            “No.”

            “What about Orly? Do you remember anything about him that night?”