Chapter Eighteen
Why did he not follow Apollo’s advice and just waste the Hag? He had the power to do so. Preferring a quiet life, John never claimed such power, though his family, since his Great Grandfather Binder Whittier’s time, had influence among the underworld bosses. The Whittier’s sold them land, managed their properties, loaned them money and arbitrated their squabbles. Was it time for added influence? Not killing Agatha Schultz was best, was it not? “WAIT, I CAN HELP,” she had shouted. John supposed a dead Agatha kept the rest a secret. Is not knowing far better than knowing, he wondered? Mary’s role in the movie made the question mute. Why did Mary do such a thing? He wondered.
In front of the fireplace with his eyes shut, John Whittier tuned to the silence of a windless Sept
