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Julie, she didn't show it. Instead, she smiled and condescendingly said, “It appears that someone has broken into his house and taken some items.” Julie's eyes narrowed accusingly. “I'd like them back.”
    Billy's face began to reveal the hurt and pain Julie had caused her over the years, and I could feel Justine stiffen beside me. Tossing my manners aside, I decided to put an end to it.
    “Julie, I can't imagine what anyone would want to steal from that old bastard, but I can assure you that Billy is the very last person who'd enter the house of the man
you
sold her to.”
    Julie swung her head slowly in my direction, arching it just slightly in surprise.
    I continued. “Perhaps it was Edgar who took whatever is missing, or maybe one of Vokkel's little minions…maybe it was the person who misinformed you about your father's death. I heard it was a mugging gone bad.”
    “George…is that what you said your name is? I don't believe this conversation is any of your business.” Her eyes brightened a bit. “Unless of course you're the young man that helped her kill her grandfather.” She clapped her hands together in delight. “Of course, I should have guessed. After all, I doubt Billy has any other friends.”
    “Since you don't know anything about Billy, you wouldn't know about her friends either,” I said snidely. Yep, those manners were toast. “But do tell, what was taken?”
    Julie stared at me for a moment, one that lasted long enough to make me a little uncomfortable. Finally she broke away and turned to Billy. “Father kept a great many notes and journals of his work, and I've found no such things in his house. You have until tomorrow to return them. If you do not, I'll contact the authorities.”
    I let out a condescending sigh, one that matched Julie's earlier tone with her daughter, and said, “Julie….” I waved my hand between Justine, Billy, and myself. “We're all sort of tired…it's been a long few days. Why don't you leave your number, and in the unlikely event anyone here wants to talk to you, we'll call.” I started to stand, but sat back again, my weariness exasperated by this woman's presence.
    “Aren't you the knight in shining armor?” Julie said mockingly.
    At that moment Margie appeared, somehow looking twice her normal size and mean as hell. “I'll walk you to the door, miss….” I'd have sworn Margie was going to bite her, and Julie must have thought so too. She stood up, smoothed her dress, and turned to Justine. “It was nice seeing you again, Aunt Justine. I'm glad to see you're well.” There was sincere affection in her voice and her eyes, which seemed at odds with what I knew of her.
    Margie took Julie's elbow, which Julie immediately retracted as if she'd been stung. Margie smirked and directed Julie to the front door. She was very protective of Justine, and undoubtedly would continue her escort all the way to the street to insure Julie was out of the building.
    Billy said tiredly, “What did she have to say before we got here?”
    Justine sighed lightly. “She was quite charming, actually. She spent most of the time inquiring about my health and activities, and appeared genuinely interested. In addition, she asked about you, dear. She wanted to know if you were happy. It was a bit surprising…her past visits, infrequent as they have been, have always focused on herself and her life.”
    Billy replied with a simple “humph.” Clearly she wasn't impressed with her mother's attempt at reconnecting with her family.
    “Ladies, I'm beat. Justine, thanks for the dinner invitation, but I need to decline and become one with my bed for at least twelve hours.” I pecked her cheek and got up from the couch with some effort. Billy walked me to the door.
    “You going to be okay?” I asked. She nodded, opened the door, and shoved me through it.

Chapter 11
    I was so exhausted, I went straight to bed and slept solidly until 4 a.m., when I woke with a start, sensing