CHAPTER 24Jonas walked quickly up on the back porch of the Blanton-Darrell House, looked to see if the screen was hooked as it had been in front, saw it was not and held the door open a little, waiting for Sergeant Digges.
“Elizabeth was over there,” the Sergeant said, coming up the steps. “She answered the phone. I told her to bring Miss Olive over. I didn’t say why. Sure you know?”
Jonas nodded. He went quietly into the hall, opened the door to the back parlor and went in. Jenny was in the front room, on the love seat where she and Elizabeth had sat, mute and frozen, on Sunday morning while Miss Olive babbled out her startling news. It was Philippa Van Holt with her now, gripping her hand as she flashed to her feet in sudden white-lipped panic.
Philippa rose too as Jenny’s hand flew t
