The departure of Chaney and Buran did nothing to freshen the heavy atmosphere in the library. If anything, it thickened, like a dark screen that the Tylers were arranging to mask themselves from Margot. She caught the very clear impression that both of them were afraid of her. Francine had the look of a statue frozen stiff, and she said in a tight voice: “There will be nothing more tonight. No talk. Nothing.” She left them.
“I’m going up with her,” Margot said.
“No.” Henry’s voice was final. It clung with difficulty to the thin edge of politeness. “She is better alone, Miss Gilland. Sometimes things just get too much. I’m going to send Sally to bed. I want to sit with Melissa and tell her about this when she wakes up. Break it to her easy.” Henry hesitated at the door and looked back. “I
