It was easier to focus on what he was saying when she was looking at his face, and this time the implications of his words reached her without delay. If someone asked how it had happened they would either have to tell the truth or lie l, and neither would look good. The truth was that her mother had caught the two of them alone, he'd drawn his wand on her, and then Henrietta had knocked her over the edge of the boardwalk — or at least, those were the facts as they would be perceived by others. A lie would be safer, but there was no ready lie that occurred to her that wouldn't also lead to troublesome questions.
A few minutes ago Henrietta had been afraid her mother would have her committed, and she realized that was still very much on the table. Even though she was dead, Mrs. Cartwright still had the power to dictate Henrietta's future.
She pursed her lips. "We'll get rid of her," she said in a wavering tone. "Her body, I mean. And then no one will know we had anything to do with it."
A few minutes ago Henrietta had been afraid her mother would have her committed, and she realized that was still very much on the table. Even though she was dead, Mrs. Cartwright still had the power to dictate Henrietta's future.
She pursed her lips. "We'll get rid of her," she said in a wavering tone. "Her body, I mean. And then no one will know we had anything to do with it."
