Free Who'll Kill Agnes? by Lea Chan Page B

herself. She wouldn’t think of buying a business for Lester. And, uh, Bernie, I don’t mean to hurt your feelings but would you stop saying geez? It’s very annoying.”
    Ignoring the reprimand, Bernie continued, “Well, if Les married her for her money, why did she marry him? I mean, it sounds like a mechanic wasn’t good enough for her.”
    “Agnes was dating Les when she inherited. She was twenty-six years old and desperately wanted a husband. To her, a man was a man and Les was handy. It’s that prestige thing again. She had to have a husband and one that she could control. So they married and eventually Kevin came along. Les adored that little boy. He wouldn’t do anything to hurt Kevin, especially divorce his mother.”
    “But he’d kill her?”
    “Or get one of us to do it. But that’s different. If Agnes were to die, then Les would grieve with Kevin and they’d become even closer. That might not happen with a divorce. Besides, by now Les knows he couldn’t even attempt to divorce Agnes.”
    “What a loony family. My daddy’d just stab her, get sent to the pen, and get out in ten years or so.”
    “There are different kinds of looniness,” Audrey said haughtily.
    Bernie missed the sarcasm and asked, “How does Les feel about Penny living here?”
    “Oh, I think he’s always enjoyed her company.”
    “Does he know all the things that Agnes did to her?”
    “We talked about it in the early years but as time went by there didn’t seem to be any reason to harp on the subject. Penny and I discussed Agnes and her alleged treachery but as you can tell, she just accepts things as they are, not much gumption in our Penny. Lester doesn’t want Kevin to know so whatever you do, Bernie, don’t breathe a word about what I’m telling you about Agnes to Kevin.”
    “Okay.”
    “I’m serious, Bernie. There are some things we talk about among ourselves that Kevin isn’t privy to. We’ve always conspired to protect Kevin from any knowledge of his mother’s supposed wrongdoing.”
    “Well, I’m not going to say anything. By the way, why does Agnes always refer to Penny as Penelope? I mean if they’re supposed to be friends and have known each other a long time?”
    “Agnes doesn’t approve of nicknames. They’re not dignified. You are Bernadette and Les, her own husband, is always Lester. And by the way, Penny hates to be called Penelope.”
    “Yeah, I can understand that. It bugs me when I’m called anything but Bernie.” She fell silent a few moments then asked, “So what’s the story with you and Agnes? After all, you’re sisters. I love my little brothers and sisters even if they did drive me crazy at home.”
    “But I’m sure you didn’t torment them.”
    “Is that what Agnes did to you?”
    “From the moment I was born.”
    “Geez, uh sorry. But didn’t you go away somewhere? Why did you come back?”
    Audrey sat silently, deep in thought. “I’m not sure I should tell you all this.”
    “Huh? I won’t tell anyone.”
    Audrey smiled condescendingly. “Oh, I’m not worried about that. In fact I think it would be hilarious if you started a rumor about Agnes just as long as you never told anyone who your source was.”
    Bernie thought that was stupid. If she spread rumors about Agnes, then everyone would know she had heard them from someone at Henley House. But she was curious, “Then why shouldn’t you tell me?”
    “Because I don’t want to scare you. I could be wrong. The things I’ve told you about Penny, remember, are just suspicions. We can’t prove a thing and what I think Agnes has done and might do, well, they’re just suspicions, also.”
    “You’re not making sense. Scare me? How?”
    “I’m sure Agnes is plotting to get rid of you, just like we’re plotting to get rid of her.”
    “Yeah, but she can’t make Kevin divorce me. And if she did make him, I’d get plenty of money.”
    “What if she tries something worse? Something I think she’s done