CHAPTER 21I hardly noticed the Ashley River as I crossed it. John Michener’s suicide and confession had cleared up a great deal, of course; it had also left a great deal not clear at all. It was like putting the last piece of an elaborate jigsaw puzzle in place, and looking down to find a large hole in the most important spot with nothing left to put in it. That he’d been in love once with Mrs. Reid I’d known from my mother’s friend that night at the Dock Street Theatre. That he was still in love with her after so many years, I’d never have guessed. And even then… I tried to think back over the hectic days since that night in the walled court during the intermission. I’d never seen him look at her or speak to her except most formally. It seemed so extraordinary as to be fantastic that he’d
