NONE OF THE LIGHTS were on, and I assumed Gramps had called it an early night. But then I saw a note propped on the kitchen table.
Hi, Lottie,
I will probably be late getting in so don’t wait up for me. Bertha and me plan to stay as long as possible at Sunnyside and take the last streetcar home. Hope you had a good day. Bertha made you a sandwich, which is in the icebox. I told her you often don’t get to have any dinner. It’s a cheese and chutney, your favourite.
See you in the morning. Gramps
Why did I have the feeling I was being courted? And why did it make me angry? It seemed as if Gramps was quite smitten by this woman. If their relationship continued, I had better get myself sorted out.
I was in fact somewhat hungry. I went to the icebox and took out the sandwich that Mrs. Johnson had so kindly and thoughtfully made for me. It was all right. Strange, though, how cheese and chutney on bread can taste like sour grapes.
Hilliard’s words kept repeating and repeating in my head. I’d been only a child during the war, but Gran and Gramps talked about what was happening all the time. The sorrow and desperation of those years had permeated my life.
I undressed and got into bed. My room was hot in spite of the fan, and I rolled back and forth restlessly. I expected to hear Gramps come in at any time, but he didn’t. When I last checked, it was two o’clock. I fell asleep, and nasty dreams got hold of me. In one dream I was at the Paradise, ready to work, but the door was locked. I knocked, and poisonous Pearl answered. “No, we don’t need you today,” she said and tried to close the door. I pushed against her.
“Yes, I am working today. You do need me. Let me in. Get Hilliard.”
“He’s busy. He says you’re not needed.” I tried desperately to shove against the door, but the girl was fiendishly strong. She finally slammed it in my face.
I woke up suddenly. “Gramps, is that you?” I called out. It was seven o’clock.
“Yes, it’s me, pet. Sorry to wake you up.”
I heard him coming up the stairs, and with a little polite tap on my door he came into my room.
I sat up. “Where were you?”
“It got so late coming back from Sunnyside I didn’t want to disturb you, so Bertha offered for me to stay at her house.”
“You wouldn’t have disturbed me. It was more disturbing not knowing where the hell you were.”
“I’m sorry, Lottie.”
I knew he was sorry. For upsetting me, not for staying out all night.
“Shall I make you a cup of coffee?”
“No! Stop trying to mollify me. What were you doing staying the night like that?”
In spite of my tone, Gramps actually chuckled. “What do you think I was doing?”
“Gramps! Are you telling me you had carnal relations with that woman?”
“And why not? The nether regions are functioning properly.”
“The nether regions!”
He reacted to that, and I could see he was getting angry.
“Lottie. I know this is difficult for you, but Bertha is a mighty attractive woman. She’s single. I’m single. There’s no reason we shouldn’t pursue intimacy if we want to.”
I knew I was being absolutely childish, but I was finding it hard to rein in everything I was feeling.
“Gramps. I don’t want you to get hurt. You hardly know the woman.”
“Lottie, I am not the silly old fool you are making me out to be. Let’s say I’m getting to know her. And so far, I like what I see.”
“And that is obviously getting to be quite a lot.”
He knew what I meant.
He stepped back. “I’ll go and make you that coffee.”
BREAKFAST WAS STRAINED. GRAMPS munched on a piece of bread and jam, sipping his tea. It was clear he was thinking happy thoughts. He didn’t even ask me about my case, which he always did. Eventually, he glanced over at me.
“Bertha made up a great Mary had a little lamb joke. Do you want to hear it?”
“Save it for later, Gramps. I’ve got to get going.”
I got up to leave, and I gave him my usual kiss on the cheek. His skin smelled faintly of violets. I wonder how that came about!
The heavy, humid air got hold of me at once, but I walked as fast as I could to the office. I went inside, turned on the fan, and set the kettle to boil for my coffee. No stinking rodents today, no letters. So far, so good.
I phoned police headquarters.
“Detective Murdoch, please. Tell him it’s Charlotte Frayne calling.”
Jack answered promptly.
“I have to come to headquarters at nine-thirty to swear an affidavit about Mr. Gilmore’s whereabouts. Conal Pierce is also coming in. I wanted to make sure you had seen Detective Arcady’s report.”
“I just finished reading it.”
“So, it looks as if Mr. Gilmore is in the clear?”
“It does appear so.”
“When will he be released?”
“That depends on when we can get the Crown judge to have a look at the depositions. Might be later today.”
“Good. He has to arrange for his wife’s funeral.”
From the kitchen, I could hear the kettle was whistling to advise me the water was boiling.
“Jack, I wonder if I might ask you a favour?”
“Ask away.”
“Could you do a background check on somebody for me? She says she’s from Vancouver. I have doubts that she is who and what she says she is.”
“One of your cases?”
“Hmm. Hmm.”
“I can make a telephone call. See if she has any outstanding charges out there.”
“I would appreciate that.”
“What’s the name?”
“She calls herself Bertha Johnson. A widow. About sixty or so. Fair skinned, red hair, although that could be more from a bottle than nature. Between five foot three and five foot five. Approximately one hundred and fifty pounds.”
“I’ll get on to it.”
“Thanks. I’ll see you shortly.”
We hung up. I went to appease the kettle and make a cup of coffee.
I had just sat down at the desk when I heard the rattle of the mail slot. An envelope dropped into the box.
My heart thudded, but I got up at once.
It was not a nasty anonymous letter. The opposite. It was a thank-you note from Mrs. Epping. And a cheque. Fully remitted. She’d added underneath her signature: “A free woman, Hallelujah.” That was a nice start to the day, I must admit.