One Grave Less

death, Frank was almost killed, his home was damaged by a battering ram and gunfire—she had brought it all to his doorstep. She felt sick.
    An arm slipped gently around her shoulders. It was Gregory. He was careful not to touch her wound.
    “Are you all right?” he whispered.
    “Not really,” she said. “The wound is nothing. It’s just . . . look what I’ve brought down on Frank and Star.”
    “I don’t think it was you wielding the rifle or the battering ram,” he said. “We’ll figure this out. I’m eager to find out what you discovered from Martine.”
    Diane saw more lights shining from outside. Another car.
    “Can it wait until the police leave?” she said.
    “Of course,” he said.
    “We’re probably going to have more company,” she said. “Garnett will probably come by. That’s likely to be him now. I expect David to show up. I need to examine the grounds in the morning.”
    “Why don’t you let one of your people do that?” said Gregory.
    Just as she started to answer, the doorbell rang again.
    “I’ll get it,” said Gregory. “You go sit down by Frank and Star.”
    Diane nodded. She took a seat by Star and grabbed her hand. Star squeezed it back.
    “We’ll need you to come down and make a formal statement tomorrow,” said the policeman.
    “Sure,” said Frank.
    Gregory came into the room with Garnett. Garnett opened his mouth to speak, but all that any of them heard was an explosion.

Chapter 46
    The hotel was a three-story rectangle, painted a mustard yellow with red trim. It was a popular building color in Benjamin Constant, Maria had noticed. Inside the lobby was a painted cement and wood decor. A few wooden chairs and tables with brightly colored tablecloths in blues, yellows, and reds lined the walls. The lobby was simple and clean. And there were lots of people, some of whom she had seen on the tour boat. It made her feel normal and safe. But, she reminded herself, it was an illusion. They were not yet safe.
    She spotted the Swedish couple who had rescued them from the forest. They smiled and waved. Hanna, the young woman, came over.
    “Looks like you two have been shopping,” she said.
    Maria nodded. “Couldn’t resist some clean clothes and things from the market. Charming shops, lots of souvenirs.”
    “Yes, real local feel. We are eating at a lovely open-air restaurant at a pond this evening. Join us. It is not a half mile from here,” Hanna said. “Easy walk.”
    Maria smiled and looked at Rosetta.
    “What about it? Do you think I can get clean in time to go out and eat? Would you like that?”
    Rosetta smiled and nodded.
    “Good. Seven?” said Hanna. “We meet here. Patrik is going to find wheels. Perhaps we don’t have to walk, but is good weather, yes?”
    Personally, Maria would like very much to not walk, but less than half a mile wasn’t far. She also wanted to skip dinner out and just stay in their room. But she thought acting normal and nonsecretive would give a better impression to anyone who might think the drawing on the flyer looked like her.
    “I need to get a room,” said Maria. She looked at the crowd. “I hope there is one left.”
    “I think they have plenty of rooms,” said Hanna.
    Hanna wandered off to speak with other people from the boat. Maria was glad not to have to talk anymore. She wanted to appear normal and friendly, but she didn’t want to have to answer too many questions. She realized that when they got to their room, she was going to have to give Rosetta a crash course in grandparents’ names, schools, and American culture. All in a few hours. She was beginning to wonder if this was a good idea.
    She saw people having to show their passports at the hotel desk. Damn. She thought for a minute, watching people checking in. Not everyone showed a passport. Of course, if you lived in Brazil, you didn’t have to. She thought for a moment longer. What was the name of some of the towns she saw on the map . . . a town she could say she lived in. It was her turn to check in.
    Rosetta was barely tall enough to see above the counter. She put her hands on the edge and stood on her toes.
    “We’re up from Río de Sangue,” said Maria. “Maria R. West and daughter.” Maria put twice the amount of money the room cost on the counter.
    The woman behind the counter took her money, counted out the price of the room, and gave the rest back.
    “One night?” she said.
    Maria was glad the clerk spoke English. She didn’t want