My hunch was correct. In some way, Renee was involved in Mae Belle’s death. The store lit up with a flash of bright light. I squinted against the glare and stumbled backward. “You in the store! Come out with your hands up.” Horror. I grabbed Aunt Eunice’s hand and dragged her with me toward the alley. “We’re going to jail. We’re going to jail.” Her chants were interspersed with gasps for air. “Oh Lord, not again.” I ducked into Mae Belle’s office, grabbed my bag, then whirled to yank open the back door. “Come on.” I glanced back at my aunt, turned to dart out the door, and ran into a navy-covered chest. The impact knocked me back. My head banged the brick wall behind me. Breath left me. “When we got the call about lights, why did I suspect you?” Joe stood with his feet firmly planted even after I plowed into him. I struggled to stand despite the colorful stars blinking in front of my eyes. “And how did I know you’d try to run out the back?” “Please, Joe, have mercy.”
