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was beyond it. She couldn t go back, she d die out there. She needed to regain her strength, think, plan.
But he wouldn t send her back. She d kill him first. If she had to kill every one of them, she wouldn t
go back. Not to that place. Never again. Her eyes lifted, roaming over the room. This was her home,
not theirs. She d taken care of it for more than fifteen years, and she belonged here. Not them. Never
them. Finally her thoughts quieted and she listened while Shadoe continued his argument for her safety.
Garret, my God, she s your daughter. I would think you d be able to scrounge up a little
compassion for her.
Compassion? he growled. Where the hell was her compassion when I needed it? Answer
me that! And what about Julita? Do you think she s going to welcome the sight of her tormentor? I
don t think so!
Lucretia stays, Shadoe said, the muscle in his rigid jaw wrenching with anger. At least
long enough to build up her strength. We have no choice. She s not fit to travel in her condition.
Pushing past Garret he walked into the dining room and out to the foyer.
Where are you going? Garret barked, stumbling after him.
Shadoe halted in his tracks, his eyes closing in annoyance. He was tired of having to report his
every movement to Garret. To run Lucretia a bath, get her some dry clothes, and wake Julita. I need
her help.
Garret moved forward threateningly, his cane supporting him. You ll stay away from Julita.
Shadoe turned toward the old man. For God s sake, Garret, I m not going up there to get in
bed with her, I need her help & Lucretia needs her help. Now if you ll excuse me, I have things to do.
Garret squinted at him. Not until you answer some questions for me. Why in hell do you
insist on helping someone like Lucretia? She needs to be locked up. She s insane, a killer. My God, she
was plotting to kill her whole family. Probably still is!
Shadoe s annoyance apparent, he raked his hand down his face, still feeling sand sticking to
him. She ll be locked up in due time. Right now she needs food and sleep. As soon as she s stronger
I ll call the authorities.
You mean like you did with me.
His steps halted once again, he turned, and the message in Garret s eyes hit home. Like I did
with you, he repeated.
What a boy scout you are, Garret said, derisively. It s not the same, you know. I m not a
friggin killer!
No, just a child molester. Shadoe shot back, his voice dripping with sarcasm. If I had
known then what I know now, I would have left you down there.
Why you bas--
Shadoe had finally reached his limit. Hell, Garret, we can talk this out later. Right now
Lucretia needs a hot bath and dry clothes. He nodded toward the shivering lump that was still sitting
in the chair. After I get some food down her I m going to find a place for her to sleep. I hope I can
trust you to control your emotions and stay away from both women.
I m getting sick and tired of you giving orders in my house.
Well that s just too damned bad, he retorted, then abruptly turned away from Garret and
headed for the staircase, finding his weak ankle stronger now.
Shadoe was about halfway up the stairs when both men noticed Julita coming down dressed in
nothing but a flimsy nightgown.
My God, what is this? Shadoe whispered as he stopped dead still on the staircase.
Her eyes were open, but glazed. She seemed to be looking at something in the distance.
Fear clutched at Garret s insides when he realized Julita wasn t acting normal. My God,
what s she doing & what s wrong with her?
I don t know, Shadoe answered in a soft voice. She seems & I m not sure.
All at once she reached out and cried, Mama! Don t go, Mama, please! I m coming!
Watching her come toward him, Shadoe began to back down the stairs, speaking softly so as
not to frighten her, Julita & where are you going?
I have to find my mama & she needs me & wants me.
Julita kept reaching & following someone & a voice & a darting figure appearing, then
disappearing. Her eyes were focused on something, but not for long, they jumped from one ghostly
figure to another. Shadoe watched her, knowing from his own experience that whatever she was seeing,
it wasn t in the real world, but the world of the dead. It was still early enough that the woods would be
dark, a ghostly figure darting in and out of the trees until she saw the clearing & an ethereal light
spotlighting the church & and then....
Don t just stand there, do something! Garret said sharply.
Get back! Shadoe shouted. Get out of the way!
Oh, hell, she s coming toward me! Garret said, frightened.
She doesn t see you. Move, Garret, goddamn it move! If you wake her, it could be
traumatic.
What the hell s happening? he asked, seeing her go past him toward the front door.
Where s she going?
She s dreaming!
Why isn t she in her bed?
She s sleepwalking, for God s sake, and it s dangerous to wake a person when they re
sleepwalking.
But she s heading for the front door. Stop her!
I can t & not now. She s dreaming about the old church, and the woman inside.
I thought you were the one that had that dream, he said, his words hostile. Isn t that why
we re all here?
Shadoe ignored his sarcasm, watching each step Julita took. Stay here with Lucretia, he said
to the old man. I ll have to follow her to make sure she doesn t hurt herself.
Look at the way she s dressed. She can t go out like that.
Just before she reached the door, she shouted, I m coming, Mama. I ll be there. No, don t!
she screamed. Wait for me! All at once Julita slumped, and fell to the floor.
Shadoe rushed to her while Lucretia came to the door to see what was happening. She saw
Shadoe kneeling beside someone on the floor. What s going on?
Shadoe felt for a pulse, then touched her forehead, making sure she wasn t running a fever.
She s okay, he said, pushing her hair out of her face. Then he picked her up in his arms and carried
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