Real Bad Things(18)

“I know why you’re here.”

Flashes of memory shot through Georgia Lee, the fog of what she’d remembered at the pharmacy clearing in her mind: Warren’s breath, his mouth, his fingers.

Diane’s voice startled her. “What?” Georgia Lee asked.

“I said,” Diane strung out the words, “your parents paid a pretty price to keep your name out of the press. Apples don’t fall far from the tree. Ain’t that what people say?”

Georgia Lee saw herself standing there, stunned and blinking, as if she were having an out-of-body experience. “What are you talking about?”

“They didn’t tell you? I guess they wouldn’t. Probably wanted to protect you.” By the crooked smile Diane gave, Georgia Lee knew she’d opened a door she should’ve left closed. “But protection comes at a price.”

“What did they do?” Georgia Lee asked.

“Well, I don’t want to go talking out of turn. If you want answers, you ought to talk to them.”

Confusion mixed with anger. “They’re dead.”

Diane frowned. “That’s too bad. Or maybe it’s good. They were so desperate to keep their good name out of the papers, especially when it came to Lezzie Borden. They’d be right disappointed about now.”

Georgia Lee had only learned of Jane’s nickname and the town’s frenzy to learn the identity of her mysterious “gal pal” after Jane was released and left town, after Georgia Lee’s parents had removed the padlock on her bedroom door and released her.

The nickname jarred Georgia Lee’s senses and told her everything she needed to know about what was to come as soon as the news got out. “Sad that even now you’d stoop so low. Especially when it comes to your daughter.”

Diane dipped her head so that her eyes looked sinister under the veil of her eyebrows. “The only ones who stooped were your parents.”

“Lies.”

“You want evidence? I got it.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“I don’t give a shit if you do.” Diane challenged her, a smile on her face that Georgia Lee wanted to rip off.

“What exactly did they do, then?” Georgia Lee asked again.

The cigarette lines around Diane’s mouth crinkled as she considered an answer. “They paid me to keep quiet about you and Jane.” She raised her chin in defiance. “But that offer’s expired. And if you want the same courtesy, it’s gonna cost you.”

Before Georgia Lee knew what she was even doing, she grabbed Diane’s hand where she’d rested it on the counter. Diane startled and tried to remove herself from Georgia Lee’s grip, but Georgia Lee held on to her dry, rough hand and squeezed so hard her wedding ring cut into her own skin. Diane needed Gold Bond. She needed to make this easy, give up the information Georgia Lee wanted in a normal, conversational manner without making her beg for it, keep her secrets without forcing her to pay for it. Georgia Lee would admit she wasn’t great at not being defensive. She made a mental note to work on it and released her grip.

“I best be going.” Georgia Lee checked her watch and slipped on her glasses. “You’re in my prayers.”

Diane rubbed her hand in dramatic fashion. “I don’t need your prayers.”

“Well, that’s not how it works, honey. I’m praying anyway.”

Diane snickered. “You come all this way. Ain’t you gonna ask about Jane?”

Georgia Lee glanced at Gerry, who’d wandered up behind her. She wished he would go find some other register. There were three additional lanes open, but he had to hang around here, listening in on private conversations. She gave him another glance, but his focus was on the assortment of cigarette lighters and candy that lined the checkout lane.

“Jane?” Georgia Lee asked, not willing to commit to any other word in regard to that subject.

“Figured you’d want to see her before she goes to prison for real this time. Who knows what other information might come out now that she’s had some time to think on it.”

Georgia Lee looked directly at Gerry without saying a word. He hugged his beer closer to his chest and slunk off toward a moonshine display.

“Seems your memory isn’t quite what it used to be,” Georgia Lee said. “Jane and I were just friends.”

Diane’s gaze drifted to the box cutter beside her hand and then back to Georgia Lee.

“My memory’s just fine,” Diane said. “It don’t take a genius to know you two used to be—” she searched for the word—“close.”

Georgia Lee’s whole body warmed.

Diane smiled and tilted her head. “Here’s something else I remember: Jane was a good girl before you came along. Used to mind me. I’d tell you to stay away from her, but I guess y’all can get up to whatever the hell you want to now for whatever time you have left. Just don’t do it on my couch this time.” Before Georgia Lee could find the words to respond, Diane continued, “The funeral service would be a fine time to drop off what it’ll take to bury him, if you catch my drift. Otherwise, I’m gonna have to ask you to leave.” She clicked a nail against a laminated sign. “No loitering, ma’am.”

Diane motioned for Gerry to step up to the register.