It was money from the first bank robbery.

“Jesus Christ,” I said, and for a while I couldn’t get any other words out. When they finally came, they were in a crazy jumble. “What is—why are you giving me this? Is this—you’ve had this all along? You asshole! All this time?”

“Keep your voice down. The boys don’t know, and they don’t need to know.”

I was quiet, until the urge to yell had mostly passed.

“Why give it to me now? There were probably a hundred times in the last fifteen years this might’ve been helpful. Like when I got hurt. Or for LaReigne to go to college.”

“Girl, you think I was holding out on your mama? Shit, if you knew how much money had gone through her hands. Them ladies novels. All them goddamn figurines. She spent what money she had on crap that didn’t add up to nothing. That there, I kept that back for you girls, like my brother asked. Only now I guess you need it.”

“I need more than money. It won’t do me any good if I can’t find her,” I said.

“You seem pretty damn sure she didn’t run off with them two fellas.”

I took out my phone and pulled up the home screen. “This is your great-nephew. He was born after Dad died. This is Marcus, LaReigne’s son.” My voice cracked. “She may have done a lot of stupid things, but she did not abandon him. She wouldn’t do that, not after what we went through when we were kids.”

Uncle Alva was quiet, looking at Marcus’ picture and tapping his pack of cigarettes on the kitchen table.

“How much is this?” I said.

“It’s a hunnert thousand. Fifty thou for each of you.”

“Let me ask you: did LaReigne—does LaReigne know about this?” I meant Is it remotely possible that the assholes who took her knew about the money?

“Might could be. I reckon over the years it’s possible your daddy told her, but she never asked me about it. He didn’t dare tell your mama, and I reckoned if I gave it to you while she was alive, you’d end up spending it on her.”

“Why are you giving it to me now?” I said.

“Because there’s a small chance I know somebody who can tell me where them boys are holed up. That information ain’t gonna be free. And if I can find it out, you ain’t gonna be able to waltz in there and say please. You’ll need something to bargain with. Them boys might be inclined to swap your sister for this money. I’d do it myself, but I don’t know that I got it in me.”

“Have you—do you think—” I couldn’t even get out what I wanted to ask.

“I don’t know yet. I made a few phone calls to some folks who might know. I’m waiting to hear from a few more folks. I know you’d like to have answers today, but I can’t guarantee that’s gonna happen.”

“Well, I don’t think Dane is going to be okay with me staying.”

“That goddamn boy. Don’t mind him. You’re welcome here.” I thought the conversation was over, because he tapped a cigarette out of the pack and lit it before he said, “There’s another thing I need to say to you, and mayhap you won’t be inclined to stay after you hear it, but I need to say it.”

“I know. I heard what you told Dane. About my dad and the robbery. About the guard.”

Uncle Alva took a long drag off his cigarette, with his hand shaking. Then he started coughing. He coughed until his eyes watered, or else he was crying.

“I’m sorry, girl. Ain’t no way to make up for that or justify what was done. I just—you deserve to know the truth.”

“It is what it is,” I said, because if I didn’t manage to swallow that feeling of betrayal, I was going to cry or scream. Uncle Alva managed another puff off the cigarette, and then he pointed at the envelope of money.

“Better put that someplace safe,” he croaked.

CHAPTER 37

Gentry

   My lady was troubled, for ’twas a great sum of money her uncle had committed to her, and upon her shoulders alone lay the matter of her sister’s safety. I was ready to take up any task she might wish, but for the nonce ’twas naught for me to do but feed her. I made our even’s meal of what was in the house, and we supped in silence.

After, we went into the front room, and Sir Alva put upon the television that we might watch the news. ’Twas there Dane found us. I rose to greet him, full ready for his wrath, but he abided in the doorway.

“Hey, cuz. You still here?” he said.

“Yep. She’s still here,” Sir Alva said. “Still my house. Still ain’t your business.”

“You taking off tonight?” Dane spake without heeding his father.

“Boy, leave your cousin alone.”

Once I saw Dane would keep peace, I set myself again beside Lady Zhorzha. Her hands lay together upon her lap, one holding fast to the other. The cloth of her trousers was worn through at her thigh, shewing the milk white of her skin and the blood black of her fire bird.

“Thine heart is fouled with lust,” Hildegard said.

“’Tis not his heart,” Gawen said, and then to me: “Thy touch affronteth her not. Last even she was eager to open her thighs to thee.”

Sooth, she had received my touch tho I asked not, but I presumed not she should again, so I reached not for her hand. Hildegard believed I had naught but lust in my heart, but in truth I was much concerned with how I might serve my lady. While I pondered it, Sir Alva rose from the couch and walked up and down in a manner most uneaseful.

When first I met him, I thought of him as a hermit, alone in some high place, deprived of company and comfort. Now I bethought myself of Raymondin, who pined for Melusine but never again saw her. Like Sir Alva, he was a man bereft of his wife, left to raise up two sons. Tho Sir Alva’s castle was in decline, it remained, mayhap a testament to the labors of his wife. Mayhap also a prison for a man whose heart was sore wounded.

Sir Alva stopped and took his phone from his pocket.

“This peace cannot last,” the black knight said. I rose to my feet, my hackles abristle. Dane’s shoulders weren tight, his hands fistwise at his sides.

“I’ll take this in my room,” Sir Alva said.

“What the fuck are you doing, Dad?”

Sir Alva answered not and, after he departed, Dane wandered the floor and slapped his hands upon his shanks.

I kept watch, and Dane came anon to stand before my lady.

“We had a deal. You said you were gonna talk to Dad and then you were gonna go,” he said. “But you’re still here, sitting around like you don’t plan to leave.”