The BurdenI felt stunned. “You think they killed them?”
Tony said, “Jacqui —”
“It’s insane! How could you even think so? I’ve known Joe and Josie my entire life. There’s no way either of them would murder them. Old men? Children ...? No. That goes against everything we believe in!”
The Colonel said, “Mrs. Spadros —”
“No. I won’t believe it.”
“I’m not asking you to believe it,” the Colonel said. “I'm not even accusing anyone. I’m simply telling you what we’ve learned so far.” He leaned upon his armrest. “Tell me about the grandfather.”
My heart was pounding as I wiped a tear away. “He’s ninety. Joe claimed he was sick, dying.”
Colonel Hanafuda nodded. “Men are at their most dangerous when they have nothing to lose.” He rose. “I think you’ve told me what I needed to know.”
Tony had r
