ERIC PENN’S MOTHER was a widow. And, although tiny in body, scarcely more than 4’11’ by Rafferty’s reckoning, her mind more than made up for any bodily limitations. She seemed not only strong, but very sensible.
Rafferty imagined that if she hadn’t possessed such strength originally, being solely responsible for a backward son would have forced its development.
In response to Rafferty’s questions, she had told them that she had cared for Eric alone for ten years, ever since her husband had died. Eric was their only child.
She ushered them into the sparse, but spotless living room of the terraced house. There were no ornaments or vases of flowers in the room. No decorative touches of any kind, Rafferty noted. And, as he watched Eric’s jerky arm movements as he lay sprawled full length on
