Summary

Chapter 12 returns to 1987. Benny carefully approaches the kitchen, sensing that whoever is there does not want to be heard. She watches as LaJuna backs her way out of a cabinet in the butler’s pantry. Benny asks what she is doing there. LaJuna says the judge gave her permission to come. It was how she knew about all the books. LaJuna reasons she had the right to be there because the judge’s kids never come around because they are too busy with their own homes. She says they did not even come to visit him when he was still alive.

Benny can tell that LaJuna is impressed that she got a key for the house from one of the Gossetts. LaJuna says that she does not think that Nathan would care that she was coming into the house. She explains that her...