Old Promises

by Samantha Price

  “Alice managed to slip through our fingers, but we have arrested Angelo. What he’s confessed so far sounds like he might have been the mastermind.”

  “And what about what Tiffany said about Myra?” Ettie asked.

  Kelly glanced at his wristwatch. “She’s coming into the station at six for questioning. Angelo is remaining tight-lipped over her involvement but I’m sure if we apply a little pressure on him he’ll cave. Or maybe seeing the trouble he's in will prompt her to confess her part in all of it.”

  “Ettie and I saw Angelo at her boutique.”

  His eyebrows rose. “At Tiffany’s boutique in the Winston?”

  “Yes.”

  “You were shopping there?”

  “Walking by,” Ettie said.

  He shook his head. “That is interesting information.”

  Elsa-May interlaced her fingers together. “He was coming out of the back room with clothes over his arm and looking like he worked there.”

  “That’s good to know. Thank you. We’ll wait and see what happens. The next twenty-four hours should be very interesting. What you’ve told me just now falls in line with the information we’ve found out.”

  Elsa-May leaned forward. “And what’s that?”

  “If you keep it to yourselves, I can tell you that there was a sizeable sum withdrawn from Tiffany’s account not long before Ian died.”

  “A payoff?” Elsa-May asked.

  “Could be.”

  “I’ve given this a lot of thought since we talked to Alice," said Ettie, "and this is my theory. Angelo was friendly with his old housekeeper, we all know that now. Alice told him what she was planning and Angelo agreed to help. After all, he was waiting on the old man to die too.”

  “Go on,” Kelly said.

  “Then he told his stepmother his plan, leaving out Alice’s involvement. After all, Alice had only told him she wanted Ian dead. The rest of the plan must’ve been Angelo’s because Alice knew nothing about Myra except there was to be a scapegoat. It was he who sourced the poison and leaned how to safely apply it, and he made sure his father died after coming into contact with it. It was Angelo who placed the poison in Myra’s house, in a place she’d never find it, possibly long before Ian died.”

  Kelly crossed one leg over the other. “So, you’re saying that you think Angelo approached his stepmother with a plan and she paid him to carry it out? Not knowing he was going to do it anyway?”

  “Yes. You said it so much better.”

  Kelly slowly nodded. “That makes sense and that’s the conclusion I’d come to as well.”

  “Oh, I’m so glad that Myra’s in the clear.”

  “Me too. I don't like arresting the wrong person for a crime such as this. I must say, I missed this one in the beginning. Who would’ve thought that the son— Ian’s first son would have been in on it with the former housekeeper?”

  “Ettie did,” Elsa-May said.

  He looked at Ettie. “What was it that led you to the housekeeper?”

  “We talked to her about the family, and she lied to us about the silverware.”

  “Silverware?”

  Elsa-May explained, “She told us Tiffany concocted a story about her stealing silverware, when really it was stamps.”

  “How did you find out … Forget it. How did you meet … Forget it.” He shook his head.

  “She knew she was being left a valuable stamp and that’s why she hurried his death along. That’s what she told us before she rode away in the taxi.”

  “I know that now. You could put yourselves in dangerous situations doing what you did.”

  “We had to do something because I couldn’t see my daughter go to jail for something she didn’t do.”

  He nodded. “I understand. I understand that very well. And if I had been in your situation, I would’ve done all I could, too. Sadly, I’ve never had children of my own. I’m sorry I had to arrest her, but you must understand how the evidence looked.”

  Ettie ignored him and then they all jumped when there was a sudden loud knock on the door.

  “I think this might be Myra.” Ettie pushed herself off her chair and hurried to the door. There before her was the angry man from next door.

  “Your bloomin’ dang dog was barking again all day.”

  “I think that’s an exaggeration. Your wife told us that he only barked once or twice the other day. He's really not a barker.”

  “If you can’t shut him up, I’ll call the police and have him put down.”

  “Did you say you need the police?” Kelly appeared at Ettie’s side. “How can I help you?”

  “Ah…” the man's eyes went wide as he took a step back, and Kelly instantly took a matching step forward.

  “Did you want to make an official complaint against these two elderly widows and their harmless canine companion? We’re not in the habit of killing dogs for barking.”

  Greville stepped back again until he was nearly to the edge of the porch. “No, there’s no problem really. My wife just gets headaches and she’s very sensitive to noise.”

  Detective Kelly said, “I’m Detective Kelly. I didn’t catch your name.”

  “Greville.”

  “Greville …?”

  “Greville Charmers.”

  Kelly nodded to him. “Good evening, Mr. Charmers.”

  “Yes, good night.” Greville turned and left.

  The detective stepped back inside and Ettie closed the door. “Thank you.”

  Kelly chuckled. “I think he’s very nervous when it comes to the police.”

  “Seems like it,” Elsa-May said with a chuckle.

  Ettie giggled. “I don’t think we’ll be having any problem with him anymore.”

  “If you do, let me know. I should go. I’ve got that interview at six and after that I’ve got a mountain of paperwork waiting for me.”

  “Thanks for letting us know what’s happening.”

  “No problem. Maybe next time I stop by you might offer me cake?”

  Ettie said, “We have cake. I’ll put the kettle on, if you have the time?”

  He chuckled. “Thank you, but I don’t today. I must go. I was teasing you.”

  “Oh.”

  When Kelly left, Elsa-May let Snowy out of the bedroom and they settled down for a quiet dinner.

  Chapter 23

  That night, they heard nothing from Myra. It wasn’t until the following night that she came to their door.

  Ettie opened the door to see her daughter in another of her flowing kaftans. This time, it was primarily pink and orange. Instead of her hair being piled on top of her head, it was flowing about her shoulders. She stepped inside without saying a word and Ettie closed the door behind her.

  Elsa-May looked up from knitting the first of many teddy bears. “Hello, Sparkle.”

  Snowy was in his bed, and he lifted his head.

  “Hello, Snowy.” She sat and slapped her knees calling Snowy. Slowly he got off his bed and put his front paws on Myra’s legs.

  “Snowy doesn’t jump,” Elsa-May said.

  “He doesn’t?”

  “No. You have to pick him up.” Ettie said as she bent down, picked up Snowy and placed him on Myra’s lap. Snowy quickly settled down on Myra’s lap and placed his head between his paws.

  “What a sweet little dog.”

  Elsa-May chortled. “Not according to our new neighbors. They’ve been complaining that he barks.”

  “And does he?”

  “I’m sure he doesn’t.”

  Ettie sat on the couch next to Myra.

  Myra stroked Snowy. “I’ve come here to say thanks for your help, Mother. I knew you be up for it.”

  Ettie put an arm around her daughter's shoulder. “I told you everything would work out.”

  “And you’re right. However did you figure it out, that it was the previous housekeeper and Angelo, and Tiffany as well?”

  “Tiffany?” Elsa-May and Ettie looked at one another.

  “Ye
s, she’s been arrested.”

  “We didn’t know that part,” Ettie said. “Kelly was here yesterday and said she was coming in for questioning, but we didn’t know for sure she was involved. Although, going by what you said, she had to be involved somewhere.”

  “Yes, she would’ve been better off keeping her mouth closed and not trying to implicate me.”

  Ettie nodded. “And how did they get that poison into your house?”

  “Angelo finally admitted putting it there. He often came to the house for different functions and seminars that I held.”

  “That explains that. And Ronald?” Elsa-May asked leaning forward.

  “He’s fine. He was very upset with me for keeping it all from him. Kelly told him what was happening, and he came back right away.”

  “What about that case he was working on?”

  “He said it had come to a dead end anyway.” Myra shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know if maybe he told me that just to make me feel better.”

  Elsa-May leaned forward. “Don’t you feel so much better now that he’s back?”

  Myra smiled and nodded. “I do.”

  “Do you think we’ll hear wedding bells any time soon?” Elsa-May asked.

  “Weddings are such an outdated experience and marriage is just a piece of paper.”

  “It’s much more than that. Vows are made before God,” Elsa-May said.

  “Anyway, Ronald is set in his ways. We’re happy as we are. He has his house and I have mine. We're always there for one another. It’s a good arrangement for both of us.”

  Elsa-May nodded. “As long as you’re happy, I suppose.”

  “Mother, I know you’ll only be happy if I come back to the community.”

  “That’s not so. You have your own choice to make and I respect that.”

  “Do you, Mother?”

  “Well, of course I’d like it if things were a little different.”

  “I knew it.”

  “Don’t be so hard on your mudder,” Elsa-May said.

  “I’m not hard on her. I’m not hard on her at all.” She turned to Ettie. “I’m grateful that you’re always here when I’m in trouble, Mom.”

  Ettie looked into her daughter’s eyes and saw sincerity. She hadn’t called her Mom or even Mamm for years. Ettie could barely keep the smile from her face. “I’m glad that you came to me.”

  “Now where is that cup of hot tea?”

  “Your mother got you some green tea when we were at the markets.”

  Myra’s face lit up. “Did you?”

  “Jah.”

  “I might have to visit a little more often.”

  “I wouldn’t mind that a bit,” Ettie said. "In fact, it would be a pleasure.”

  After Myra left their house, Ettie and Elsa-May decided to sit for a moment in the living room before they went to bed.

  “It’s a funny world, Elsa-May.”

  “It can be, jah, but what do you mean in particular?”

  “Look how different Myra and I are. Who does she take after, being so different from me?”

  Elsa-May frowned. “Does she have to take after anyone?”

  “I suppose not, but people usually do, don’t they?”

  “Hmm. I think she’s a lot like you.”

  Ettie giggled. “Me?”

  “Jah. Both you and Myra see things differently than other people.”

  “I’m not out there trying to heal people with crystals and whatever else she does.”

  “Nee, but you have the ability to look at things differently from most people, and that seems to be what Myra does.”

  “We're both strange. That’s what you’re saying.”

  Elsa-May smiled. “I could’ve said that, but I didn’t.”

  Ettie sighed. “You might be right. I don’t know what her vadder would say if he were alive to see her now.”

  “She’s not doing too bad.”

  “But she’s not in the community.”

  “There’s still time,” Elsa-May said. “You never know what the future holds.”

  “Do you think these experiences she’s having will lead her back one day?”

  “Only Gott knows that, Ettie, but it’s not out of the realms of possibility. Miracles do happen.”

  Ettie reached out to the other end of the couch and patted Snowy. "Jah they do."

  “It seems you were right about how it all happened, Ettie.”

  “I’d say so.”

  “Aren’t you surprised?”

  Ettie shook her head. “Nee. How are you getting along with your teddy bear?”

  Elsa-May reached down and picked up her knitting. All Ettie saw was a brown square. “Hmm. It doesn’t look like much now, but it will look like a teddy when it’s finished.”

  “I hope so for the sake of the children.”

  “This teddy will be going to the hospital where Maria works.”

  Ettie shook her head. “And what do you think Michelle will say when you tell her the teddies aren’t going to the Children's Hospital?”

  “I’m sure Maria’s hospital has children go there, so they will be bringing smiles to children’s faces as well.”

  “Hmm. You told me she wanted them to go to the Children's Hospital.”

  “I’ve given that some thought. If she doesn’t like it, I’ll make all the teddies for Maria’s hospital myself.”

  Ettie giggled.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Well, it must be something.”

  “I just thought how busy you’re going to be knitting.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “Ava’s boppli.”

  Elsa-May let the teddy bear she was knitting drop into her lap. “I didn’t think of that. I must start knitting for the new arrival, and don’t forget we’ve got to go to Ava’s haus for dinner soon.”

  “I won’t forget.” Ettie’s jaw dropped open. “What about Maria and the hospital expecting all the—”

  “I don’t know. I’ll have to do it all somehow. I’ll have to supply a whole hospital with bears and I can’t knit less for the new boppli than I have for the others.”

  Elsa-May looked so worried that Ettie said, “Why don’t I give you a hand?”

  Elsa-May stared at Ettie with her piercing blue eyes. “Would you?”

  “I think I can put my needlework aside and we can work on your two projects together.”

  “Denke, Ettie.”

  “I’ve been thinking about Ian.”

  “And?”

  “He really didn’t get along with either son. He divorced his first wife and didn’t get along with the second. It’s sad, don’t you think?”

  “It is.”

  “He had Myra as a friend. No wonder he stayed after his sessions with her just to talk. And, funniest thing of all is that Alice has gone to England and can’t be found. She got away with it.”

  “For now.” Elsa-May yawned. “That’s enough for me. Another day is over.”

  “I appreciate you, Elsa-May.”

  Elsa-May frowned. “What are you going on about now?”

  “I mean it. We’ve always had one another and sometimes you’re annoying and irritating, but you’re always there when I need you, and we help each other.”

  “Is that why you agreed to knit the teddies?”

  “Maybe.”

  While Elsa-May leaned down to pack her knitting away, she said, “I’ll take it.”

  “Take what?”

  “The offer to knit the teddies no matter what the reason.”

  Ettie chuckled. “Gut nacht.”

  “Gut nacht.” Elsa-May headed off to bed and Snowy looked up from his dog bed and scurried after her. Elsa-May poked her head around her bedroom door. “Are we getting a storm?”

  “What?”

  “You just said we’re getting a storm.”

  Ettie pulled her mouth to one side. “I hope not.” Elsa-May was hearing things again.

  Elsa-May s
hook her head at Ettie and closed her bedroom door just as there came a loud knock on the front door.

  Ettie jumped, and then rushed to Elsa-May's bedroom and flung open her sister's door. “It might be Granville from next door!”

  “Greville,” Elsa-May corrected, having yet to even remove her kapp in preparation for bed.

  “I’m not going to answer the door alone.”

  “Okay, let’s go.”

  The two sisters walked to the door and at the last instant, Elsa-May pushed Ettie in front so she’d have to open the door. To their immense relief, it was Crowley.

  “Hello, you two. I’m sorry about the late hour, but I saw your light on.”

  “Come in, come in!” Ettie said grabbing hold of his sleeve and pulling him inside.

  “We haven’t seen you for years.” Elsa-May looked him up and down.

  He chuckled. “I’m sure it hasn’t been that long.”

  “Do you have time for tea and cake?” Ettie glanced at the clock and saw that it was only seven in the evening. For some reason she’d thought it was much later. Time enough for sharing cake and a pot of hot tea.

  His lips turned upward at the corners. “If that’s not too much trouble.”

  “It’s not, not at all. Come into the kitchen so you can talk with us while Ettie prepares our snack.”

  Crowley followed Elsa-May into the kitchen. As soon as he was seated, Elsa-May sat down opposite him. “Now, how are you and Sparkle getting along?”

  “Oh, Elsa-May. Do you have to call her that name?” Ettie asked.

  Crowley chuckled and cleared his throat. “We’re doing great. I know we seem a bit of an odd couple, but they say opposites attract. Anyway, I’m here to thank you both for getting Sparkle out of the scrape she was just in. I can’t believe she kept me in the dark about it, but that’s the way she is, always mindful of others.”

  “She’s still my daughter, no matter what she does or what she calls herself. I can’t say I can agree with all the hocus pocus she goes on with, but she always was different. Sometimes I think she does it to shock me.” Ettie filled the teakettle and then popped it onto the stove. Then she got a cake out of its tin, sliced it and placed it on a plate on the center of the table. “We have boiled fruitcake.”

  “I love that. It'll be a treat; I can't recall the last time I had fruitcake.”