Then I did. There was no use admitting I hadn’t known all along. I said:

“At Willsson’s, probably, but I haven’t been interested enough to make sure.”

“That’s goofy of you. He’s got reasons for not liking you and me. Take mama’s advice and nail him quick, if you like living and like having mama live too.”

I laughed and said:

“You don’t know the worst of it. Max didn’t kill Noonan’s brother. Tim didn’t say ‘Max.’ He tried to say ‘MacSwain,’ and died before he could finish.”

She grabbed my shoulders and tried to shake my hundred and ninety pounds. She was almost strong enough to do it.