71
Julia finished telling Courtney the vision, and she looked completely drained.
“I can’t believe this,” Courtney said, her tone hushed. “We thought McKenna killed Shoemaker, but it was really Grandma Kay? She killed him?”
“Yes, but she didn’t mean to. She went to McKenna’s because Shoemaker threatened you. He came in her house when she was out and took your doll. It was a threat that he could get to you anytime he wanted.”
“And she couldn’t go to the police because they’re racist.”
“Exactly, she just reacted and defended you herself. Now we know she was right. Glushenko was in league with McKenna. They’re white supremacists.”
“My God.” Courtney’s lips parted in shock. “Do you think we should tell Detective Kowalski?”
“No, we need to let it rest and let her rest. It’s not as if McKenna’s going to be wrongly charged with Shoemaker’s murder.
He’s being charged with the Novak murder, and I hope they convict him, with my help.
” Julia thought a minute. “I guess McKenna came home that night and found Shoemaker in the well. He could’ve thought it was an accident since Shoemaker was drunk.
Or maybe McKenna thought he’d be blamed or his link to Shoemaker discovered.
Either way, McKenna destroyed the evidence and took off, changed his name, and bought a new farm.
He kept his supremacist buddies, though.
” Julia thought aloud, finally figuring it out.
“I guess I was wrong before, when I had that vision at the funeral home. I misinterpreted what I saw. I thought I was seeing Novak shooting Kay and I thought I was feeling that gunshot. But really, I was seeing Shoemaker punch Kay in the chest, at McKenna’s house. ”
“Oh, man.” Courtney shuddered, stricken.
“The Shoemaker death was the one she felt so guilty about, that weighed on her soul. She couldn’t be free unless she told you about it.”
“It must be why she stopped going to church. She didn’t think she could face God.”
“You might be right.”
“But God would have forgiven her.”
Julia thought a minute. “I think she was worried about whether you would forgive her. That’s what she needed to rest her soul.”
“I do forgive her,” Courtney said, with new tears brimming in her eyes. “She didn’t mean to kill him. She did it to protect me. Do you think she’s okay now?”
“I know she is.” Julia smiled, finally at peace.
Courtney smiled back, shakily. “I hope she knows I love her.”
“Of course he does.” Julia gave Courtney a hug, holding her for a moment. Just then, she felt a powerful, life-giving warmth spread throughout her entire body, and she knew it was the depth of a grandmother’s love.
Thank you, said a voice. Take care of her.
I will, Julia told her. I will.