TYLER HADN’T STAYED MUCH LONGER WITH MRS. McHATTIE. She had looked so exhausted, he didn’t have the heart to keep at her. Like an arrow scratched in the sand, faint as it was, he thought he at least had something to follow. Who and where was Rudy, the putative father of Shirley’s child? Clearly, the lover himself couldn’t be hiding out in the hospital. Was it somebody in cahoots with him? Hey, pal, my gal’s pa is against us marrying. Off him for me, will you? Remove the obstacle. Sure. Happy to oblige. Oops, sorry. There were two potential witnesses I had to dispose of.
Well, if Shirley had done a bunk to meet her lover, they’d soon find them. One of the very few good results of wartime, as far as the police were concerned, was that the people couldn’t really travel about the countryside undetected.
Sister Rebecca and Tyler returned to the sitting room.
“I’d like to suggest you stay here for the night, Inspector,” she said. “We have a spare room that we keep ready for our spiritual adviser, Reverend Jervis. It’s basic but adequate, and you would be right on the spot if … if anything happens.”
Tyler felt as if his eyes were filled with sand. A bed, however basic, sounded like heaven to him.
“I accept, Sister. With thanks.”
She smiled. “We even have a pair of pyjamas you can use.”
She led the way down the passageway to a room at the far end, next to the sanctuary.
She switched on the light. A narrow bed, a chair, a washstand. Very monklike. But a bedroom nonetheless.
“We say matins at five o’clock. Would you like me to call you?”
Tyler rubbed at his jaw. “Does everybody get up at that hour?”
“Just our community initially, but now some of the patients like to join us.”
“I think I’ll join. And of course, if Shirley does reappear, fetch me immediately. Pregnant or not pregnant, I will personally give her a chewing out for worrying the heck out of everybody.”
Sister Rebecca grimaced. “I’ll be next in the queue.” She indicated the dresser. “The pyjamas are in there. Reverend Jervis is rather a stout man, so they may be a bit big for you.”
“That’s quite all right. Thank you.” He stopped. “Darn, Sister. My brain’s turning to blancmange. I should let my sergeant know I won’t be back tonight.”
“I’ll ring him if you’d like.”
“Thanks, much appreciated.”
For a moment, Tyler thought the almoner was lingering, but she turned away.
“I’ll say good night then.”
“Good night, Sister.”
Tyler took out the pyjamas, blue hospital issue, and definitely on the large side. He got undressed, switched off the light, and climbed into the bed, which was as it had looked, hard and uncomfortable.
How long was it since he had lain with a woman in his arms? It was almost two years ago that he’d last been with Clare, and the thought of her was an ache. They’d had such a brief time together, and the joy he’d experienced at their reunion was so tempered by the sorrow of his son’s death he could hardly separate the two. He rolled onto his back trying to bring back the memory of his time with Clare, but he was too tired. All he could remember was her softness; the feeling of the love that had encompassed him, comforting him in his anguish. If he were a praying man, he’d offer up a prayer. Dear God, send her back to me soon.
Finally he fell into a restless sleep, tormented by unhappy dreams. He was only too happy to be awakened by Sister Virginia, who was standing at his bedside holding a tea tray.