Chapter 52

Mark said, "I can't pinpoint the cause right now, Mr. Anderson. Could you take us to where Mr. and Mrs. McLeod are staying?" From Ruby's account, Allen and Bailey were very nice to Noel while he was alive but became neglectful of Ruby after his passing. Mark was inclined to believe Clara's hypothesis that human factors were at play. Ruby must have done something that made Allen and Bailey resent her. While it was common to hear about daughter-in-law and mother-in-law conflicts, Allen was Ruby's own flesh and blood. If even he refused to care for her, the problem likely lay with Ruby herself. No mother-in-law and daughter-in-law would start as enemies. Conflicts arose from everyday tensions and unresolved disputes, eventually leading to continuous clashes and a hostile relationship. Ruby said, "It's all Bailey's fault. She's very fierce and treats me terribly, always giving me dirty looks. She's nicer to strangers than to me. Allen is soft and useless. He's completely under her thu