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had made for DeeAnn and Jacob. It should last them a few days.
    â€œHey, Bea,” Annie said, walking into the kitchen.
    â€œWell, hello there. Have a seat. I’m just getting some things ready to take to DeeAnn.”
    â€œThe lasagna looks good,” Annie said, picking up a few books and looking at them. “I love these. They are a lot of fun, yet they aren’t stupid, you know?”
    â€œI’ve got so many of them and DeeAnn is bored out of her mind,” Bea said.
    â€œI’ve been taking my books down to Blue Moon Bookstore,” Annie said. “They sell secondhand books along with new ones.”
    Beatrice sat down. “You know, I haven’t been there in awhile. I forget about that place. Nice bookstore.”
    â€œI’ve been spending a lot of time there. They have book groups, writer’s groups,” Annie said, sitting down.
    â€œHmmm, interesting,” Bea said. “Can I get you something to drink?”
    â€œNo, I’m not staying. The boys will be home in about ten minutes. I’ve just come from the police station and I don’t like what I heard. I wanted to run a few things by you since you’ve lived here your whole life.”
    Beatrice looked up from her stack of books.
    â€œI went over to Druid Lane where those new apartments are. It’s where the Martelino sisters lived. I just wanted to have a look around and maybe talk to some people.”
    â€œAnd?”
    â€œWell, I started to speak to a woman behind the counter at the office. She seemed nice, but then this man came up behind me and he was rude and threatening.”
    â€œOh dear,” Beatrice said.
    â€œSo I hightailed it over to the police department. Come to find out, it’s a hotbed of gang activity.”
    Beatrice’s mouth dropped open.
    Jon walked by on his way to the sink. “What? Gangs in Cumberland Creek?” He said, stopping at the table. “Did I hear that right?”
    â€œEvidently it’s been a problem for quite some time,” Annie said. “For the most part, it’s not been in the news, but a few months ago when the young woman was raped and attacked . . . well, that was gang-related. I learned about it from DeeAnn. It checks out.”
    â€œDo you think that’s the case with the Martelino sisters?” Beatrice asked.
    â€œI have no idea. It certainly seems personal—sisters killed within twenty-four hours of one another.” Annie paused a moment before continuing. “But Beatrice, I wanted to ask you what you make of this gang business and what you know about Druid Lane and the neighborhood.”
    Beatrice thought about it for a moment, sifting through images and memories. “Where exactly is it? Don’t think I’ve ever been there. And I thought I knew this town pretty well.”
    â€œIt’s over near the park across the river,” Annie told her. “It looks pretty new. Newly paved road, new apartments.”
    â€œHmm. I don’t know a thing about it.” Beatrice shrugged. “I know Cumberland Creek is growing and there’s been a lot of new construction, but I don’t know about that area.”
    â€œIs that where the gangs are?” Jon asked.
    â€œI don’t know,” Annie replied. “That’s what the cops say, but I covered gangs in DC and many times where you think they are is just a cover for where they really are.”
    Jon’s mouth twisted. “Sounds sophisticated.”
    â€œWait a minute,” Beatrice said. “Did that property used to be a farm? I think it did.”
    â€œInteresting,” Annie said. “I’ll look into who owned it.”
    â€œI know who owned it. That was the old Drummond homestead, I believe,” Bea said. “When did they sell it to become apartments? Where have I been? How did I miss it?” A wash of nostalgia overcame her. She had such fond memories of the Drummonds, their house,