I looked straight at her.
"Because he's dead," I said. "I'm very sorry. "
Charlie hung in there. She went pale and clenched her hands until her knuckles shone waxy white. But she didn't fall apart.
"I don't think he's dead," she whispered. "I would know. I would be able to feel it. I think he's just hiding out somewhere. I want you to find him. I'll pay you whatever you want. "
I just slowly shook my head at her.
"Please," she said.
"I won't do it, Charlie," I said. "I won't take your money for that. I would be exploiting you. I can't take your money because I know he's already dead. I'm very sorry, but there it is. "
There was a long silence in the kitchen. I sat there at the table, nursing the coffee she'd made for me.
"Would you do it if I didn't pay you?" she said. "Maybe you c
