A Multitude of Sins by M. K. Wren Page A

in the dim light, he could see the ashen color of her face. He resisted the urge to reach out for her hand, regretting the question now.
    “No, I…don’t remember…anything.”
    “All right, we’ll talk about it later.”
    “Conan, for God’s sake, why do you keep coming back to Dad’s death? What can that possibly have to do with—”
    “Please, keep your voice down. Your audience is quite attentive.”
    She stiffened, visibly bringing herself under rein, after a few seconds giving him a warm smile in which the constraint would be evident only at close range.
    “I’m sorry,” she said.
    “No, I’m the one who should apologize, and we’ll defer that for now.” He leaned back and inhaled on his cigarette. “Did Jenny have any questions about this afternoon?”
    “No. She never asks many questions, strangely enough.”
    “Why strangely?”
    “Oh, I guess I’m just being bitchy again, but I’m sure she reports to Catharine regularly.”
    “About you?”
    “Yes.”
    “Why would she do that?”
    “What do you mean?”
    “You called her Catharine’s ‘faithful watchdog.’ Why would Jenny play that role?”
    “You don’t believe she is playing it?”
    “I simply want an assessment of her motives from someone who knows her. I’m not doubting you.”
    She averted her eyes uncomfortably.
    “Well, I don’t know why. I don’t know why she didn’t go back to art school after her illness. She was working on her Master’s at the Chicago Art Institute, but she just tossed it. Dad had the attic converted into a studio for her, but she doesn’t do much painting. She spends most of her time playing nurse to Catharine.”
    “This illness of Jenny’s, when was that?”
    “Soon after the accident; about a month, I don’t know much about it. I was in a private boarding school, so I wasn’t home except on weekends or holidays.”
    “She didn’t go back to Chicago?”
    “No, and she only had a quarter to go on her Master’s.”
    Conan frowned as he crushed out his cigarette.
    “She just quit, then, to play nurse to Catharine?”
    “Apparently. I don’t know of any other reason, but then I don’t know Jenny very well. I was always at school, or she was at college. But I used to have a great respect for her paintings. They were…haunting; like the Knight. Catharine’s using her, too, just like she did Dad, but maybe this is the way Jenny wants it. She’s made a hermit of herself, really; no friends or outside interests. In fact, she seldom leaves the house.”
    “What about Jim? Is he under Catharine’s influence?”
    She laughed. “Jim isn’t subject to coercion by guilt or pity, and more power to him. He has his weaknesses, though, and she usually gets her way when it comes to a showdown, but at least he stands up to her occasionally. Maybe that’s why I get along better with him than Jenny.”
    “Perhaps.” He looked at his watch. “Well, question and answer time is over.”
    She glanced at her own watch and straightened.
    “Yes, it is. I’d better get back to work.”
    “I’ll be leaving soon, but I won’t be far away. I’ll check the restaurant and motel parking for that blue Ford.”
    “I’m not really sure it was the night man I saw in that car, Conan.”
    “I know. Anyway, I’ll wait in my car until he leaves; it might be informative. Now, we have a date for dinner tomorrow.”
    She tilted her head to one side. “We do?”
    “Yes, ma’am. This is going to be a whirlwind courtship, and I have more questions.”
    “Oh. I’m beginning to see what you meant by a plausible affair.”
    “Sorry, but there isn’t much romance in life these days. We’ll have dinner here, then I’ll stay for the evening. And be sure to mention me to Jenny—as a suitor. You might say something nice about me, but don’t go overboard.”
    “I’ll see what I can dream up,” she said, laughing.
    “We’ll have an early dinner so you can get to the piano on time. I’ll pick you up at six