Chapter 69

Dagmar was waiting at the kitchen table. She stood up and looked us over. She seemed pleased with what she saw. “Well, I won’t be needing the broom,” she said. It stood ready, leaning against the table next to her chair. “Come on, Stan, we must sleep, and you had best do the same,” she said, referring to me. “But I suspect you have farther to travel tonight.”

My life was an open book, apparently. She put one arm through Stanley’s and picked up the broom with the other. She guided him to the back hallway. I heard her whisper as the two receded toward the back stairs, “See? She was right. I told you it would all work out. He’s a good lad, and so are you.”

I did not hear his reply, but I thought I saw him pat her hand as I turned toward the dining room. I had Johnny and Bruni still to speak to. Johnny was probably asleep on the couch upstairs waiting for me. Late-night planning was a passion of his that I did not share, but he was so relentless on the subject that I took it for granted that he would still be there when I finished. The person I really had to speak to was Bruni. Not only was I uncertain of her state of mind but I was not exactly sure which room she was in. I had narrowed it down to one of two possibilities. I crept up the stairs and down the second-floor hallway. I tapped softly on one of the doors and waited. It opened, and Bonnie stuck her head out. She smiled sleepily when she saw me and pulled her hair from her face, showing a bare arm. She whispered, “Next door, cowboy. Good luck and thanks.”

She smiled again and closed her door. She would let the hand play out. She was seriously smart. I sighed and moved on down the line. I tapped once again and waited. There was no answer. I tapped again and paced back and forth. Nothing. I didn’t want to knock any louder and turned toward the hidden door that led upstairs, when I heard a click. The door opened, but no one peeked out. For a moment, I hesitated and wondered if I’d gotten it wrong once again, but I was resolved and entered. I closed the door quietly behind me.

“Bruni?” I asked in a whisper. It was pitch-black.

“What?” I recognized her voice. It was Bruni’s room. I was in the right place.

“Can we talk?”

“No. It’s very late, and a lady doesn’t open her door in the dead of night to have a conversation. Now get over here.”

It was a night full of surprises. Obviously I had a lot to learn about women in general, and Bruni in particular.

“I can’t see a thing,” I said, stumbling about.

“Your eyes will just have to grow accustomed.”

“Somehow I don’t think they ever will.”

She chuckled. “Now that’s the best thing I’ve heard all night. Let me help you.”

I felt around for the bed. She took my arm and guided me toward it. As my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I realized she wasn’t wearing a thing.