Chapter 168: Questions for Lucy

I scowled at Crew when Mom let him in, as he took off his fur hat and nodded to my mother, voice low but carrying.

"Evening, Lucy," he said, glancing up when Petunia waddled to greet him, then to me before he met Mom's eyes again. "I'm sorry to bother you. Fee's told you about the murder?" Mom nodded. "You'll understand then why I have some questions?"

I wanted to be mad at him, but his tone was careful, kind, respectful. So I didn't say anything when Mom gestured for him to enter. He even took a moment to slip out of his boots, to scratch Petunia behind her ears as she moaned her happy pug pleasure at his touch. When he joined us at last sock feet sliding over the polished hardwood, jacket zipper humming when he undid it, I did my best not to cut him any slack for what he was about to do. His job, but still.

Still.