Divine Evil

basket of fruit, and the sheriff has been here over and over. It's hard to believe this ever happened.”
    “We're shocked,” Min said breathlessly. “I can tell you that each and every person in our town was just shocked and appalled by what happened to you. Why, we couldn't be more upset if it had happened to one of our own girls. Doubtless it was some crazy person from out of the county.” She studied Lisa's open box of chocolates and chose one. “Probably the same one that killed Biff Stokey.”
    “Killed?”
    Clare could cheerfully have pushed Min's face into the chocolates. “It happened weeks ago,” Clare said quickly. “It's nothing for you to worry about.”
    “No, indeed,” Min agreed and helped herself to another chocolate. “You're safe as a bug here. Just as safe as a bug. Did I mention that my husband and I made a sizable donation to this hospital a few years ago? Quite sizable,” she added over a coconut cream. “They put up a plaque with our names on it. This is one of the finest institutions in the state. Not a thing for you to worry about while you're here. And there are some who say Biff Stokey got what he deserved, though I don't hold with that view. Beinga Christian woman. Beat him to death,” she said, and it was hard to say if the relish in her voice came from the information or the chocolates. “It was a gruesome and horrible thing.” She licked a bit of cherry syrup from her finger. “The first murder in Emmitsboro in nigh onto twenty years. My husband's very disturbed about it. Very disturbed. Him being the mayor and all.”
    “Do you—you think it could have been the same person who attacked me?”
    “That's for the sheriff to find out.” Clare sent Min a warning look, but the woman just smiled.
    “Yes, indeed. We're mighty pleased to have Cameron Rafferty back. 'Course, he was a wild one as a boy. Racing around on that motorcycle and looking for trouble.” She laughed and plucked up another piece of candy. “Finding it, too. Why I know there was some who figured he'd end up on the other side of the bars. Can't say I didn't have some concerns at first, but it seems to me if you're looking for a troublemaker, it makes sense to put another on the scent.”
    “Cam's had over ten years′ police experience,” Clare said to Lisa. “He won't—”
    “That's true,” Min interrupted. “Worked down to D.C. Had some trouble down there, I believe, but we're pleased to have him back. Emmitsboro's not like Washington. I watch the Channel Four news every night and just shudder. Why, they have a murder down there every blessed day, and here we are with only one in twenty years. Not that we don't have our share of tragedy.”
    Pop went a butter cream into her continually working mouth.
    “I don't think Lisa wants to—”
    “I'm sure the child can't help but be interested in our sad times,” Min interrupted. “Clare would be the first toagree about our tragedies, the way her father had that terrible fall some years back. And just last year, the little Meyers boy drank that industrial cleaner. Lost five youngsters five years back in a car wreck—not that it was anyone's fault but their own—and old Jim Poffenburger fell down his cellar steps and broke his neck, of course. All for a jar of watermelon pickles. Yes, indeed, we have our tragedies. But no crime.”
    “It was so nice of you to drive all the way up here,” Clare said firmly. “But I know what a busy schedule you have.”
    “Oh, I do my duty.” She patted Lisa's hand, and her fingers were sticky. “We girls have to stick together. When one of us is attacked, all of us are attacked. The Ladies Club isn't only concerned with bake sales and raffles.”
    “Please tell the rest of your group how much I appreciate the flowers.”
    “I'll do that for sure. I'd best be going back to put supper on. A man likes a hot meal at the end of the day.”
    “Give the mayor my best,” Clare told her.
    “I will.” She picked up her white patent leather purse. “I've been planning on dropping by, Clare.”
    “Oh?” Clare pasted a smile on her face.
    “Now that your … friends have gone back to New York. I didn't like intruding when you had company.”
    “That's very considerate of you.”
    “I must say, I was glad they didn't stay longer. You know how people talk.”
    “About what?”
    “After all, dear, that woman
is
black.”
    Clare gave Min a blank look. “No, really?”
    Sarcasm skimmed over Min's head like