“He doesn’t sound like he’s lying, Isabelle,” Jerome said.
He didn’t. At all.
“However,” Orly continued, “and I’m not trying to throw you off your game or anything, but I will tell you this: That young man Cody is an interesting fella. I’ve seen him lose his temper a time or two in just the past couple of days. Out of the blue–like, for no real reason at all.”
I hadn’t seen Cody lose his temper during any of the rehearsals I’d watched, but I certainly hadn’t seen them all. Jake had seen many. I’d have to ask him if he observed any irrational behavior from the “bad guy.”
“Thanks for telling me that, Orly.”
“My pleasure.”
“What can I get for y’all?” Bunny asked as she approached. She seemed less baffled by our bigger table request since Orly had joined us.
We ordered and tried to talk about more pleasant things as we ate. I didn’t ask any other questions. I’d look for the opportunity to find some answers this evening.
Shortly after our food was delivered, Jerome disappeared, saying that he was going to go look for Astin’s remains before meeting us that evening at the campsite. After he left, it was difficult not to see myself as the third wheel, because I had a distinct feeling that Orly became extra attentive to Gram, and it seemed she was okay with it. I wished I could squeeze in a question about Jezzie, but not only did it seem inappropriate but I might actually ruin Gram’s mood. I figured I’d done that enough for one meal, so I kept the question filed away for later.
• • •
“Theodore William Winston, how in tarnation are you not in the hospital?” Gram said as she leaned down and placed her finger gently under his chin.
“I’m okay, Gram,” he said, but his eyes shifted in my direction. He wanted my help, but I figured we were now way beyond getting out of this unscathed.
Gram stood and looked at me. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me. Do your parents know?”
I looked at Teddy. He shook his head.
“No, Gram, but it looks much worse than it is,” I lied. “Teddy’s fine.” He was, but it was still bad. “We thought that if the bruises and swelling could go down first, you and Mom and Dad wouldn’t have to worry.”
“Oh, Betts, cut the crap. You just didn’t want to be the one to tell us that Teddy was hurt.”
I sat on the couch next to my brother. “Yeah, well, there is that.”
Gram sat on Teddy’s other side and sighed.
“Oh, hell, I wouldn’t want to be the one to tell anyone about this. I understand, but I’m just worried, that’s all. Are you sure you shouldn’t be being monitored or something?” Gram said.
“Doc said I’d be fine recovering at home. I’m feeling better, really. I know I still look bad, but my headache is mostly gone and I’m not dizzy anymore. Man, was I dizzy.”
I hoped he’d stop there.
“The man who was killed was the person who did this to you?” Gram said, asking the question based upon the bits of information I’d given her on the way over to Teddy’s.
“I’m not sure . . . I think so. My last memory is that I was going with him, but some other things are coming back to me.”
“What?” I said.
“Noises . . . no, sounds are coming back, not noises. Actually, to be more specific, I think other voices are coming back. I think that while I was being beaten, I heard other voices. Guys and girls.”