Chapter Fifty-Five

Though most of Matt’s investigations had yielded nothing, he’d learned one valuable piece of information: the name of the Long’s one real friend—a woman named Pauline Richards. She was a retired music teacher who’d volunteered in the Portland schools. She’d discovered Jesse. Pauline had died two years earlier, but on an early fall afternoon, her husband had agreed to an interview.

The Richard’s house was in a well-maintained neighborhood of capes and small colonials. It overlooked Casco Bay. The houses were guarded by stately poplars and maples flanking the narrow street. Some already wore their fall colors. As Matt approached, he saw Jim Richards standing in front of his home. He was tall—very tall, a trim man who looked extremely fit for his eighty years. He greeted Matt, shaking his hand.

“It was like that poor little girl lit a fire inside Pauline,” he told Matt after some casual conversation. “I remember her sitting at dinner the first night she went to teach. Jessica was all she could talk about. She was taken by the contradiction. Jesse was such a shy child with an old, threadbare dress. But when the class began to sing, Pauline said it was like there was someone else inside her.” He shook his head, recalling the conversation; then he stopped and studied Matthew. “Why are you asking, son?”

“I’m doing a feature article for the Boston Globe,” Matt lied. “She’s going to be starring in the film version of Gates of Paradise, and they asked me…”

“Don’t you think I know who you are?” Jim said, stopping him. “You’re that young writer who’s had so many best sellers. I watch TV and read the papers. Now, would you like to tell me why you’re really here?”

Matt sighed deeply, embarrassed.

“I think Jesse’s in trouble, and she’s very special to me. I’m trying to find out anything I can that may help her. I’m sorry,” Matt said as he turned toward his car. A strong hand gripped his arm, Matt turned to see Jim Richards smiling.

“Matt, we had four children of our own, but I swear Pauline loved that little girl more than any of ’em.” His face took on a far away look. “She was devoted to that child. Jesse became a cause to Pauline.” He studied Matt. “Are you a drinking man, son?”

“No, sir, not any more.”

“Good, neither am I,” he said, gesturing toward the door. “Come inside, I just brewed some fresh coffee. There was a lot of mystery surrounding Jesse and her family, but I’ll tell you everything I can. When she came back for Pauline’s funeral, I could see she’d changed. Jessica wasn’t the same cocky young woman she was when she left. It was like she’d lost something. Something very important.” Jim found Matt’s eyes. “Maybe that something was you.”