Free Agnes Hahn by RICHARD SATTERLIE Page B

that. Lilin said that.”
    “What do you think?” He smiled.
    “I don’t know yet.” Her eyes flicked up then down. A faint smile revealed dimples.
    So unlike Eugenia. “The tea is very good. Thank you for sweetening it.”
    “Ella isn’t a tea drinker. I learned how to make it so she could drink it.”
    “Did she drink coffee?”
    Agnes shook her head. “Gert said no coffee. If two wanted tea, the third should drink it, too. It was efficient that way.”
    Jason fingered his chin. Notes registered in his mental reporter’s notebook, but they were incomplete. There was competition for Jason the reporter. From Jason the man. “Did everything have to be efficient with Gert?”
    “It’s the best way.”
    “Do you miss her?”
    Agnes’s eyes watered.
    “Sorry. I shouldn’t have asked that.” The reporter took charge. “Can I talk about Ella, or is that too painful as well?”
    “No.”
    “No, I can’t talk about Ella, or no, it isn’t too painful?”
    “It’s okay. I’m getting tired.”
    “I want to talk to her. Can you think of anything that might help me get through to her?”
    Agnes’s head bobbed and the corners of her mouth curved upward, her dimples deep. “Carnations.”
    “Flowers?”
    “She loves carnations.” A full smile. “She loves to smell them.”
    He downed the last sip of tea and shifted back in the chair. “I’ll give that a try.” He reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out a business card. “If you need anything, or if you just want to talk some more, give me a call. My cell phone number is here.” He reached across the table.
    She left the card on the tray without reading it.
    The smile drained from her face. “Detective Bransome told me the people at the shelter don’t want me to come back to work right now. Do you know anything about that?”
    “No. Sorry.” The man broke through. “People can be real jerks.” The desire to pull her close returned. Her. Not Eugenia.
    “Can I go to the bank? And the store? I need some things.”
    “You can go anywhere you want, as long as you don’t leave Mendocino. You’ll be followed.” He pointed his thumb over his shoulder. “Do you have money?”
    “Yes.”
    He assumed the house was paid for long ago. And she seemed like the type to bankroll most of her disposable income. And Gert and Ella. Were they the types who stuffed their mattresses with millions, twenty dollars at a time? He stood. “You’ll call me if you need anything?”
    They walked to the front door, and he stooped to pick up her mail. One more bill since yesterday, and two pieces of junk mail. “Thank you for the tea. I’ll stop by tomorrow to see how you’re doing.” He thought he saw the dimples again.
    “How will you get to where you’re staying?”
    “The motel is just a half mile down the road.” He purposely pointed in the wrong direction. “I’ll walk.” He patted his stomach. “I need the exercise.”
    “Thank you for bringing me home.” She closed the door on his smile.
    Wilson was out of the Ford by the time Jason got to the road.
    “What did you and the little lady talk about?” Wilson winked. “Or did you talk? The two of you got something going?”
    “Thank you for not telling Bransome about the phone call. I really am on your side this time.”
    “Yeah, well, don’t expect any more out of me. He found out. I really got my ass chewed. I’m lucky I gave you that ticket or I probably would’ve been busted down to janitor.” He yanked the car door open. “Tell Mulvaney no more favors. Okay?”
    “If I need one, I’ll let you write another ticket first. How’s that?”
    Wilson laughed as he climbed back in the Ford.
    Jason turned in the direction of his motel and started off at a fast pace. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the curtains in Agnes’s second-floor bedroom part. The afternoon carried a sudden chill.

CHAPTER 12
    T HE CARE HOME RECEPTIONIST PEERED OVER THE TOP of her half-frame glasses. “What’s