Death in Reel Time by Brynn Bonner

Author:Brynn Bonner
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Gallery Books

fourteen

A HALF-CENTURY-OLD FILM ABOUT EVERYDAY life in a one-stoplight North Carolina town wasn’t exactly the thriller we’d planned on for the evening’s entertainment. But after we’d polished off the pizza, Jack settled in next to me to view the section of the Crawford film I’d watched earlier. I didn’t want to prejudice him toward the theory I was developing, so I didn’t say anything by way of introduction.

Jack occasionally made comments about the clothes, hairstyles, or cars. When we came to the part featuring Olivia’s kin I simply said their names. I stopped it when their part was over.

“Tell me what you noticed,” I said.

Jack frowned. “Is this one of those tests to see how observant I am? Was there something freaky going on in the background that I missed ’cause I was looking at the people on camera?”

“No, nothing like that. I just want your impressions.”

“Okay,” Jack said, drawing the word out. “Well, for one thing I’m glad I’m living now instead of back then. I don’t care what people say about the good ol’ days. That looked pretty hardscrabble if you ask me.”

“What else? What about Olivia’s people?”

“Well, her uncle and aunt looked like salt-of-the-earth types. Her mother seemed self-conscious, a little out of place maybe. And I’d say her dad was one of those showboat guys who likes to be the center of attention and in charge. Is that what you mean?”

“Yeah, that’s exactly what I mean. And tell me if I’m reading too much into this.” I told him what I’d observed of the exchange between Beth and Blaine by the front door at Olivia’s house. “Could it be that these women, grandmother and granddaughter, were each being abused? Psychologically, at least.”

Jack considered then shrugged. “Sure, it’s possible.”

His ready reply took me aback. I’d been expecting, hoping, that he’d tell me my theory was a stretch. “But surely Beth wouldn’t put up with that kind of thing, right?” I protested. “She’s an accomplished person. She earns her own living. It’s not like she’s trapped in a marriage out of financial want. And they have no children. Why would she stay and take that?”

“You know my sister, Kelly, right?” Jack said. “You wouldn’t think she’d stay, either, would you? But she did. And in her case it wasn’t just psychological. Kelly married young. Fell for a guy with a few rough edges she thought she’d be able to file down. She stayed with him for nearly four years, hiding bruises under makeup and wearing long sleeves. She didn’t tell anybody, not even me. She couldn’t bring herself to leave him until the night he pushed her out into oncoming traffic in front of a coffee shop because she put too much cream in his coffee. Hadn’t been for an alert driver, she’d have been killed. She packed her bags that night and finally developed a stone ear for all his promises about how it would never happen again.”

“That’s so awful. I can hardly believe it. Kelly’s such a strong person,” I said.

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