Someone to watch over me

to do. No point in walking clear home, just to start out again in the morning.“
    “But today is Sunday. Where would he find work on a Sunday?“
    “People often want work done on their house or yard on Sundays when they’re home and can supervise. He wasn’t used to manual labor, but he’d take any job he could find.“
    “What did he do when he was employed before?“
    “He was a salesman for a hardware company. He traveled all over the state, selling farm implements to farmers and retailers.”
    Lily wondered if this was relevant or whether Walker was asking just to calm her down and get her talking.
    “Did he have enemies?”
    So much for the theory of calming her down, Lily thought.
    Roxanne looked shocked at the question. “Of course not. When he still had his job, he was very friendly and amiable. That’s what made him a good salesman. Everybody liked him.“
    “And when he lost his job?“
    “He was unhappy. Who wouldn’t be?“ Roxanne said defensively. “A man without a job with a family to support is bound to become cranky. But he only showed it at home. He still had to pretend to be friendly when looking for work. At least I suppose so.“
    “Did he go out every day?“
    “Yes. He dressed up in a suit and carried work clothes along in a big flat satchel. Sometimes he’d stay home on Sundays. But every other day he was gone, from early in the morning until darkness fell.“
    “Did he bring money home?“ Walker prodded.
    “Not often. You know as well as I do how hard it is to find work these days. Nobody can afford to pay casual labor. But he kept trying. It was better for him than sitting around the house feeling useless.”
    Walker stood and so did Robert. “I won’t bother you anymore just now. I know how hard this is for you, and you need to be with your family. But I may have more questions, and I’ll come back to let you know what we’re finding out. Do you have a telephone?“
    “We do, but it doesn’t work anymore. We couldn’t afford to pay for it.”
    Lily spoke up. “Do you want me to stay, Roxanne?“
    “That’s nice of you to offer, but no. I need to talk to the children. And I don’t know how to tell them. I need time alone to think this out.“
    “Send your brother to fetch me if you need company, then,“ Lily said. “I’ll be happy to come any time you want me or to bring a good friend if you’d like.“
    “I haven’t had time to have friends for the last three years,“ Roxanne said. “Except for the ladies in the VLL.”

    Walker, Lily, and Robert headed back to town. “Poor Roxanne!“ Lily said.
    “She might be better off without him,“ Walker said.
    “What an awful thing to say! He was her husband! Now she’s a widow,“ Lily exclaimed.
    “You didn’t know him,“ Walker replied. “He wasn’t quite as good a man as she portrayed him.”
    “Criminal?“ Robert asked.
    “No official record, if that’s what you mean,“ Walker said. “But a heavy drinker on occasion and a bit of bully when he was drunk.“
    “So in spite of what Roxanne said, and maybe believes, he may well have had enemies?“ Lily asked.
    “It wouldn’t surprise me a bit,“ Walker said. “Thanks for coming along. I’m not good with hysterical women.“
    “Is this all you know about him?“ Lily persisted.
    “It’s all I’m willing to say,“ Walker said curtly. “I’m not allowed to gossip.”
    But I am, Lily thought.
    “Lily, I’ll take you back to Grace and Favor and drop you off,“ Robert said.
    “No, leave me in town. I’ll walk up the hill. I’ve got some errands to do.“ Before anyone could ask her about these theoretical errands, she added, “What have you learned about Robert’s mummy?“
    “Not much,“ Robert said. “We sent along what the tailor said about the size and proportions of the man who owned the suit. The coroner says the height is about right, but he can’t tell about the shape. The muscles and organs shrink when a body dries out that way.”
    Once again, Lily was sorry she’d asked.

Chapter 11

    Lily went back to Mrs. White’s house, thinking some of the women might still be there and should know what happened. But no one was home at the White household except the maid, who said, “Mr. White’s driven Mrs. White up to the Andersons’ with a potato salad and a roast ready to go in the oven. And some milk and cookies for the children. She should be home soon, Miss Brewster, if you want to wait.“
    “No, thanks. I may