Page 157 of After Anna

“Do you remember when she left for Philadelphia?”

“No.” Elma shook her head. “It’s been a while.”

“Maybe April? Around Easter maybe?”

“Yes.” Elma’s rheumy eyes lit up behind her bifocals. “I remember because she came to visit me on Easter, to say good-bye. She brought me a hyacinth. I love hyacinth.”

“So do I.” Maggie glanced at Kathy, thinking that it confirmed that PG was the imposter. “Does she call you?”

“Sometimes. Not in a while. I try not to worry. She’s a strong girl. Got a mind of her own. She wants to be president.”

Maggie fell silent a moment, sad for Elma.

“You know what PG calls me? Not Elma,Elmo. Like the toy.” Elma patted her head. “I had red hair when she was little, and she called me Granny Elmo. Her brother, too. They thought that was so funny. They would sit right there watching that show.” Elma pointed at the floor. “Sesame Street. I put it on for them. Burton Ernie. I thought the puppet’s name was Burton Ernie. They said, ‘No, it’s BertandErnie.’”

Maggie smiled. “I thought PG didn’t have a brother.”

“Her half-brother, Roy. He’s older by three years. Roy and PG were thick as thieves when they were little. But he lost his way when he grew up.” Elma frowned. “Fell in with the wrong crowd. They got him into trouble. He got locked up for a while.”

“Elma, what’s Roy’s last name? Is it Tenderly?”

“No, Watson. He’s a Watson, through and through. Him and his father, the low-lifers.Low-lifers.” Elma shook her head. “I told my daughter, that man will get you in trouble. He’ll steal anything ain’t nailed down. He stole from me. He stole my check when it come in. He stole out my wallet. He stole my late husband’s wedding band out my jewelry box!”

“Does Roy stay in touch with PG?”

“Yes, he says she’s doing real good. She got an office job down there.”

Maggie knew it was a lie, so Roy must have known that PG was impersonating Anna. “Did he say where the office job is?”

“Don’t remember.”

Maggie was thinking that it was time to go to the police and tell them about Roy and PG. Her purse was in the car, and she’d call when they left. “Where does Roy live, Elma?”

“Few blocks over, on East Road. He drops off my groceries every other week. He’s got a good heart, that boy.”

“What does he do for a living?”

“He’s a truck mechanic.”

“Is he married?”

“Oh no, no way. He plays the field. His friends, too.” Elma frowned deeply. “I don’t like them, not at all. Connie’s the main one. Another low-lifer.”

“Connie?” Maggie repeated, catching Kathy’s eye. “Is Connie a man’s name?”

“Yes, he’s not from here. Konstantine. With a K.”

“What’s his last name?”

“I forget, I couldn’t pronounce it anyway.”

“Where does he live?”

“Oh, look, speak of the devil.” Elma’s head turned to the window, and Maggie rose and looked outside, alarmed to see two men running up the front walk, kicking up snow. The bigger man took the lead, and when they got closer, she could see him slide a handgun from his jacket pocket.

“He has a gun!” Maggie ran to the door, locked the old deadbolt, and pressed her hands against the door.

“Agun?” Elma repeated, shocked. “No!”