“I called the constable’s office and an ambulance.  They told me Stewart was dead and took him away.  They took me, too, to the hospital and got me taken care of.  The constable took Moisey to jail.  I didn’t even care that night, but the next day I didn’t know who to cry for.  Stewart was dead, my poor brother had killed him, and was in jail where he couldn’t communicate with anybody, and I had made such a mess out of everything. 

“After the prosecutor got done talking with me, they let Moisey go.  The shape I was in, they figured he had saved my life.  That’s probably true.  But I just couldn’t forgive him, and he knew it.”  Katy sat awhile longer in silence, and then looked up at Fred.  “I guess that’s the story you were looking to hear, isn’t it?  Yes, Moisey is capable of violence.  His understanding of some things is limited, which causes him frustration.  But he’s also capable of great love and loyalty.  I don’t know this woman who ended up in Stewart’s house, but it sounds as if Moisey felt loyal to her.  Given what happened last time he interfered to help someone he loved, maybe he was too afraid to take action.  Maybe that’s what the pictures were for, to warn her and help her.  If so, how sad is it that he’s right back here in jail for his trouble?”

Fred turned off the tape recorder.  The room seemed very quiet now that Katy was done.  “Katy,” he said slowly, “I think it is very sad indeed.  To be honest, I read this the same way you just told it.  I don’t think Moisey did anything wrong.  I think he chose his paintings to warn her of danger.  But in order to get our artist out of trouble, I’ve got to figure out just who is trying to hurt this lady, and why.”

“How can I help?”

“Well, for starters, I’d like you to come to Moisey’s house with me.  There are a couple of things I need to look for, and a couple of questions you may be able to answer.  If we go now, by the time we get back Moisey should be back as well.  Then I need you to sit with him and an officer and get his story for me.  Can you do that?”

“I can and will.  Moisey and I have been apart too many years.  It’s time I made up with him, I think.”

(To continue, go to The Artist, Chapter 9)
(To read the beginning, go to The Artist, Chapter 1)