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the road by his mailbox with a bullet through his head. The girl was found lying unconscious on the front porch.”
    I glanced at Cassie and watched her face grow paler as her back stiffed.
    â€œWhen the doctor got there he revived young whats-her-name and put her in the ambulance. On the way to the hospital she accused Ethan of raping her. When they told her that her father was dead, she said Ethan must have done that, too.”
    â€œImpossible!” cried Cassie.
    â€œGo on, Mother,” I encouraged grimly.
    â€œChief Joiner himself went over to the Parsons’ house and quietly arrested Ethan. He was in his apartment working on some papers. He claimed that he knew nothing about Mr. Hayes being killed, or the daughter’s rape, but he couldn’t explain some really bad scratches on his hand and arms.”
    â€œNo, no,” moaned Cassie.
    â€œMavis said they photographed his wounds and booked him. The judge has refused to set bond since it’s a murder case.”
    Cassie jumped up, dumping the sleeping puppy in a furious snarling heap on the kitchen floor.
    â€œEthan is innocent! He could never do anything like that!”
    â€œListen to me, Cassandra! Your friend is in big trouble, but you can help him if you don’t wallow in your own feelings. His little genius medical brain seems to have shut down for the moment, and we’re going to have to do the thinking for him. So cool it and calm down.”
    She stared down at me for a moment, then sat down hard on the kitchen chair. Aggie jumped back up on her lap immediately.
    â€œYou’re right. You’re absolutely right.” She tucked in her chin and grew three inches taller. I was proud of her. “Where do we start?”
    Mother knew.
    â€œCake, anyone?”

Chapter Seven
    After bracing ourselves with several cups of Queen Anne tea and a slice or two of Lady Baltimore cake, we took our full tummies back to the library—the gracious room that had provided the comfortable headquarters for our previous sleuthing. I loved the big brick fireplace, the soft jewel tones of the oriental rug, and the twin comfort of overstuffed sofas. The many photographs of family and friends lining the walls never failed to remind me of where I belonged in the grand scheme of things.
    Fortified by the aforementioned ladies Baltimore and Queen Anne, we sat around Dad’s desk with yellow legal pads in hand and waited for some monumental inspiration.
    â€œThis is ridiculous,” protested Mother. “I don’t even know what I’m supposed to be considering. Paisley, give us a starting point, dear. And don’t ask for any more cake.”
    â€œWhatever do you mean?” I asked with feigned innocence.
    â€œYou have that look in your eye.”
    â€œPlease, you two. Let’s get serious,” begged Cassie.
    â€œOkay, okay. But Gran’s right. We don’t know diddley. For instance, when and where did Brandy, or Brittany meet Ethan? Was he really at the Hayes’s place that night? And if not, how did he get those scratches? And, I think, most important of all, what is Ethan doing in Rowan Springs in the first place?”
    â€œHe told us the other night, Mom. He’s trying to find out why so many
    unborn babies are dying.”
    â€œYeah, but is he really investigating the environment or the medical establishment?”
    â€œOh, I hadn’t thought of that.”
    â€œWell, I think that’s where we need to focus.”
    â€œI could call Ed Baxter.”
    â€œI don’t think so, Mother, not just yet, anyway. I think we have a good starting place right here in this room.”
    â€œYou mean Ethan’s laptop?”
    â€œYes, Cassie, that’s exactly what I do mean. If he won’t talk to us, maybe his computer will.”
    â€œBut that’s so indiscreet, Paisley. It’s like snooping in someone’s closet. Dreadful manners.”
    Mother looked so prim and