“It’s upstairs in the little fridge.”
Graham stared at her.
“You hid cheesecake from me?”
“I know you.” She kissed the top of his head as she passed. “I’ll be right back.”
Her footsteps disappeared upstairs.
Graham waited until we heard her bedroom door open.
Then he set down his fork.
The warmth vanished from his face.
He leaned toward me and lowered his voice.
“I did my part of the deal, now it’s your turn.”
I froze.
“What deal?”
He gave a quick, nervous laugh.
“Mercy, please. Don’t tell me Henry didn’t explain any of this to you.”
My hands went cold against the table.
“What are you talking about?”
“You really don’t know?”
“Know what?”
Graham stared at me.
One horrifying possibility came to mind immediately.
Henry.
Had he done something?
Paid Graham?
Made some kind of arrangement?
My chair scraped backward.
“If somebody offered you money to date my daughter…”
Any trace of humor disappeared from Graham’s face.
“What?”
“If Henry promised you something…”
“Mercy, no.”
I stood.
“Then what deal are you talking about?”
“Oh God.” Graham rubbed one hand over his face. “That’s what you thought?”
“Tell me what I’m supposed to think.”
He glanced toward the hallway.
“Not here.”
“You don’t get to say something like that in my house and then tell me not here.”
“I’m not talking about my relationship with Mari.”
“Then what are you talking about?”
Graham stood.
“Come with me.”
I didn’t move.
He pointed toward the kitchen.
“Please.”
“Why?”
“Because if I explain it here, you’re going to think I’m insane.”
“I passed that point about 30 seconds ago.”
He headed toward the back door.
I followed.
Outside, the backyard was almost dark.
Only the porch light and a small garden lamp near Henry’s shed were on.
Graham walked toward the far end.
“What exactly did you do?” I demanded.
He kept going.
“Graham.”
“You’ll see.”
“I am not enjoying those words.”
“I wasn’t expecting you to.”
Then I noticed someone standing beside the shed.
