“That’s good,” Rocky said. “That’s very good.”
“You have to catch this horrible person,” Ellen said.
“We’re trying,” he assured her. “But you’re right. Don’t be alone. And, I swear, we’re doing our best to get him as soon as possible.”
“Of course, and my prayers are with you!” Ellen said. “Lovely to have met you.”
Rocky said, “Thank you, and I’m delighted to meet you, as well. Um, best of luck with whatever your decision may be.”
“Thank you.”
He left the offices, certain that the woman had been telling him the truth.
Standing on the street, Rocky felt compelled to call Devin and make sure she was all right.
She was.
She was at the cottage with Jane and Angela, who were, she assured him quietly, the best watchdogs ever.
Then she asked, “Did you talk to Sam?” she asked him.
“Sam?”
“Yes, he was trying to reach you. He matched one of the fingerprints they lifted off my back door.”
“Oh?” he asked sharply. He quickly looked at his phone and saw that he had missed Sam’s call.
“It was Beth’s. I’m sure it doesn’t mean anything. She’s been over here dozens of times,” Devin said.
“Wouldn’t she use the front door?” Rocky asked sharply.
“We’ve been friends since we were kids. If I didn’t answer, I’m sure she would have gone around back.”
Devin sounded defensive, Rocky thought, but she might well be right. Still... “Sure,” he said.
“I don’t like that ‘sure,’” she told him.
“We have to follow every lead, Devin.”
“Beth...come on, you know her, too, now. It’s just not possible. You should have seen her back in school, Rocky! She was so shy and sweet—I’m amazed she’s even managed to open a shop. She’s come so far.”
“Anything is possible. I’m just going to stop in at the store and see how she’s doing,” he said.
“Rocky...”
“Yes?”
“Please don’t accuse her outright. I’d like to have a few friends left in the area.”
“I’ll be the model of courtesy and discretion,” he promised her.
She sniffed. She didn’t seem to believe him. “What else is going on? What about Vince—anything?”
“A verified alibi,” Rocky said. “See you soon.”
He hung up, then headed for Essex Street and Beth’s shop. Beth was showing a couple, the only customers, jewelry from the counter display case, but she looked up and saw him, and waved.
He didn’t see Theo or Gayle and assumed they were in the back, giving readings.
He began to look through the books displayed at the end of the counter, waiting for Beth to be free.
The couple bought an amulet and left. She caught his eye and gave him a radiant smile.
“I was in the area, thought I’d stop by,” he told her.
“That was nice of you,” she said cheerfully. Then her expression turned anxious. “Are you getting anywhere? Anything new?”
“No, I’m afraid not. I’m a little worried about all of you, frankly.”
“Us?” Beth asked.
“Yeah, pretty young women with family histories that stretch back to the witch trials.” Rocky smiled and watched her. “Rebecca Beckett Masters,” he said, thinking back to what Devin had told him and hoping he had it right.
Beth looked at him in surprise. “Masters?” she asked.
“She was your bunch-of-greats-grandmother. Born a Beckett.”
“I think I have a family tree somewhere. I wasn’t related to anyone interesting, though. Wait, that sounds terrible. I’m sure they were interesting people. But I wasn’t related to any of the convicted ‘witches’ or their accusers, or to any of the examiners or magistrates or anything.” She smiled. “My ancestors were apparently fond of living, and that meant staying as far away from controversy as they could.”
“Smart,” Rocky said. “You and Devin have been friends for ages, right?”
“Oh, yeah. Best friends.”
He grew serious, leaning on the counter. “Beth, were you over at Devin’s recently?”
“I go by a lot— What do you mean by recently?” she asked. “I was there last night, with everyone else.”
“Before last night.”
Beth pondered the question. “I think I went by a few days ago—but Devin wasn’t home. I checked all around the house. I can’t remember exactly when...maybe Gayle can. Oh! Or Brent. He went with me. I remember now, because I went around to knock on the back door and he yelled at me—you know, because the woods are right there.”
“You must be worried about Devin, huh?” he asked her.
“Because the woods are so close and someone was already killed there?” Beth asked. “I am. But,” she said, and paused, grinning, “I guess she has you.”
“She does have me,” he said.
As he spoke, Gayle emerged from the curtained-off area at the back of the store, accompanied by a young man, presumably a client. She told him to have a good day, then joined Beth and Rocky at the counter.