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their heads bowed in silent reflection, although they weren’t looking down at the grave, but towards Yukiko. They were possibly waiting for the right moment to offer their condolences; I wasn’t sure. Parnell glanced my way. When he saw me watching, he offered a nod and a grimace of a smile before dipping his head. I thought that during the brief interaction fear showed in his face. Perhaps he was feeling his mortality and the ceremony had made him consider his own short future. But I guessed that there was something else.
    I walked towards the two old men.
    Rink had briefly introduced us earlier, so there was no need of names now. I offered my hand to Parnell, and then to Faulks. Both men shook hands with the hearty manner that spoke of mutual respect. Faulks gestured at the grave. ‘It’s a terrible way for such a good man to go,’ he said.
    ‘Was a time when nobody would have got the drop on him. Andrew was a tough guy, the toughest guy I ever knew. Such a shame.’ Parnell swiped at his face with a palm, dashing away tears. ‘I can’t believe that some sneaking little thief did that to him.’
    Parnell had heard the findings of the police investigation. It was early days yet, but already the homicide detectives had decided that Andrew fell victim to a burglary gone wrong. The fact that there were no signs of entry, and that nothing had been taken, seemed beside the point. Theories of how the burglar had found an unsecured door, had entered but was then disturbed before having the chance to steal anything were still being bandied around.
    ‘You don’t think that’s the case?’ I asked.
    Parnell and Faulks shared a glance. There was something hidden and furtive in their features.
    ‘It was Sean Chaney, if you ask me. If not him, then someone he put up to it.’ Parnell glanced once more at Faulks, gave him a sharp look and Faulks nodded in agreement. Parnell went on. ‘You probably heard from Yukiko that one of our buddies was having trouble with Chaney’s crew. They were leaning on him for money, so Andrew was waiting for them next time they visited Jed’s store. He saw them off the premises if you, uh, get my meaning?’
    I smiled gently. I knew exactly what he meant. Even in his late seventies Andrew Rington was no slouch.
    Faulks took up the story. ‘See, Chaney’s all bluster. He backed down from Andrew, but to save face he made threats on the way out. Told him things weren’t finished with, that Andrew would have to watch his ass.’
    ‘The cops already cleared Chaney. I’m guessing he had a solid alibi,’ I pointed out.
    ‘Like I said,’ Parnell said. ‘He must have put one of his buddies up to it.’
    I didn’t comment. It sounded feasible, but not quite the truth either. These old men had their suspicions about the real killer, but they weren’t yet ready to voice them. I knew then that their suspicion had been the source of the fear I’d read in Parnell’s glance.
    Faulks leaned in conspiratorially. ‘I heard that Chaney is limping around all of a sudden. I think that maybe Andrew’s boy has already had a word with him?’
    Again I didn’t comment. Both men understood the reason for my silence and now they smiled as gently as I had.
    I wasn’t smiling now though. Something was bothering me, and it had nothing to do with how these men were diverting me from the truth. ‘The friend Andrew helped out . . . ’
    ‘Jed Newmark,’ Faulks offered.
    ‘I’d have thought he’d have been here to show his respect. Particularly if Andrew lost his life after sticking up for him.’
    ‘Yeah. We’re surprised he isn’t here, too,’ Parnell said.
    I watched Rink help his mom into one of her friend’s car. As she prepared to slide into the back, she took one last look around. Even from this distance I could tell there was more concern than disappointment on her face. Yukiko was expecting to see Jed Newmark here as well, and was worried when he had not turned up. Considering that Jed was