Free The Qualities of Wood by Mary Vensel White Page A

.’
    â€˜You know,’ Katherine said. ‘It doesn’t give the exact location. People won’t know it was near your place.’
    â€˜Do you think they’ll want to leave flowers at the site or something?’
    â€˜No, I just thought you wouldn’t want people bothering you.’
    â€˜People? What people?’
    â€˜I don’t know.’
    â€˜They can come over and look if they want to,’ Vivian said. ‘Why? Do people think that we know something, do they…’
    Katherine waved her hand, bracelets sounding an alarm. ‘Oh, no, no, no. There are all types, that’s all. The curious, the downright nosy.’
    Vivian hadn’t once imagined the possible implications of the girl being found on their property. She had been thinking only of their safety.
    â€˜The man who owns this little cafe is so nice,’ Katherine told her. ‘His father designed the fire station, and the county office addition…’ As she talked, Vivian stayed alone in her thoughts, which weren’t about office additions or salads but instead were vivid contemplations about Chanelle Brodie and the nature of her final moments.

8
    When Vivian came in, Nowell was on the telephone, speaking patiently into the receiver, which was propped between his shoulder and ear. ‘I can’t tell you anything until I speak to him. What’s his name again?’ He paced the room, very intent on the conversation, pausing only to give her a brief nod. ‘Richards or Richardson? I’ve got it. And his number?’
    The curtain divider to Nowell’s study had been pulled back. Through the window, the back lawn was a vivid, monochrome green. Vivian noticed an empty plate and a fork on the end table near the couch. She stepped down into the room to get them.
    â€˜I’ll call him today or maybe first thing tomorrow. What are you doing? No, not you. Viv, what are you doing?’
    She turned with the plate in her hands to show him.
    â€˜Mom, they can’t do that. No, I will call Richards, or is it Richardson? I’ll call him. You just wait to hear from me. I’ll let you know what I find out.’
    Vivian set the plate and fork in the sink then walked down the hallway toward their bedroom.
    Nowell came in as she was adjusting the straps of her bikini. ‘You’re going outside?’ he asked.
    â€˜Yeah.’
    â€˜My mom said she’d call to talk to you later this week. She’s too upset today.’
    â€˜Why, what happened?’
    He sat on the edge of the bed. ‘The pension thing. She’s all worked up about it and wants me to call that lawyer. She doesn’t trust him.’
    â€˜What are you supposed to do?’
    He shrugged. ‘She needs someone to look out for her, and Lonnie’s no good in these situations. I may have to drive over there and meet with this guy.’
    She looked up. ‘What?’
    â€˜I don’t know what else to do. I’ve got her calling me in hysterics, and I can’t do anything from here. I’ll stay overnight so I can meet with him during office hours.’
    Vivian wrapped a beach towel, a bright print her parents bought on vacation, around her waist. She leaned against the doorframe. ‘I just don’t see why it has to be you. You’re trying to finish your book.’
    â€˜There’s no use arguing about it. I have to go.’ He crossed his arms over his chest, looked at her chest in the bikini top. ‘If you don’t feel comfortable staying here alone, you can come with me.’
    She shrugged, watched his gaze and waited.
    â€˜I’ve got to get back to work,’ he said. He left the room and after a few moments, she followed him, suddenly angry. She poked her head into the makeshift office. ‘Am I allowed in here?’ she asked.
    â€˜What do you mean?’
    â€˜You act like you want me to stay out.’
    â€˜I like my privacy. Is that such a