Sister Eve, Private Eye

by Lynne Hinton

  And just like that, the light came on. “So that’s it. You think you’ll never walk again so that’s the reason you won’t help Megan.” She shook her head. “Boy, you are not the man I thought you were.”

  “I gave her good advice,” he said.

  “What is that supposed to mean?”

  “The police are just trying to scare her out of some information. They don’t have anything on her to connect her to the victim’s death.”

  “How do you know that?” She got up from the table. “How do you know what they have or don’t have? Have you talked to Daniel?”

  He shook his head. “Not since he came by a few days ago.”

  “Why did you tell her to get a lawyer?” Evangeline was curious.

  “I’d tell you to get a lawyer if the police wanted to question you.”

  “Do you think police officers ask unfair questions or don’t tell the truth about the nature of their interviews?”

  The Captain smiled. “I think that police officers are the most honorable men and women I know.”

  Evangeline waited. “But?”

  “But police officers like to close their cases. They like things to fit nicely in whatever box they have made for the crime.” He rested his hands on the wheels of the chair. “And if they think they have a suspect, they’ll do whatever they can to get the evidence they need.”

  “Even participate in trickery or dubious interviews?”

  “I just think a lawyer helps level the playing field.”

  “Why didn’t you offer to help her? You know the playing field pretty well. And if what you say is true and they’ve decided that she’s the suspect who best fits in the box, then she’ll need some help handling their questions.”

  He shook his head and pushed himself away from the table, then turned his chair and pointed it in the direction of the back of the house. “I’m an old man with only one good leg. I’m pretty sure my days of leveling playing fields are done. She’ll find a good lawyer and get out of this.”

  And he wheeled himself away before his daughter could say anything more.

  TWENTY-FOUR

  “He’s been in bed the whole day.” Evangeline had taken the phone outside. She was sitting in the rocker on the porch talking to her sister. “I thought he was doing fine after the surgery, but it was like something happened to him yesterday when he went to get fitted for the prosthetic.”

  “Did it not fit?” Dorisanne asked.

  “What?”

  “Is he depressed because the leg doesn’t fit?”

  “He hasn’t suddenly gained weight and can’t fit into his prom dress, Dorisanne. He’s lost his foot, part of his leg. He has to have help to go to the bathroom. You know how hard this is for him?”

  “He lets you help him go to the bathroom?”

  Evangeline didn’t respond. She blew out a breath and kept rocking. “Are you coming to see him?” she asked.

  “I already came,” Dorisanne replied.

  Evangeline stopped rocking. “What? When?” She knew she had been with their father every day since the surgery.

  “I was there when you came home from the hospital. I stayed with Michael and Sarah.”

  There was a long pause as Evangeline tried to take in the news that her sister had been in Madrid, staying with friends who lived only a couple of miles from their parents’ house, and she had not come home.

  “I saw you fall asleep on the porch that second night.”

  Evangeline did not respond but remembered the evening she’d dozed off and slept outside all night.

  “I got a rental car at the airport. I drove to the hospital, but you had already left. I just didn’t feel like I should show up at the house his first night home. I stayed with Michael and Sarah, and then the next day I watched all the cars come and go from the house. That night I saw you sleeping outside. I just couldn’t come over there, Eve.”

  Still no response from the other end.

  “Besides, I only had two days off. I had to be at work,” she explained.

  Still nothing.

  “I’m coming back in a few weeks. Did you get my messages? Did he get the card?”

  Evangeline shook her head. She was having a difficult time digesting the news.

  “Look, the last time I was in Madrid, we got in a horrible fight,” Dorisanne confessed. “I said some things; he said some things. It was real hurtful, and I just don’t feel ready to see him again.”

  Evangeline remained silent.

  “It doesn’t matter. You don’t want to hear any of this stuff.”

  “Why wouldn’t I want to hear about what happened between the two of you?”

  “Oh, Eve. You’re a nun. You married God.”

  “What is that supposed to mean?”

  “Nothing,” came the reply.

  “No, really, Dorisanne, what do you mean by saying that I don’t get to know about the family news because I’m a nun?”

  A long breath poured through the phone.

  “Ever since you joined the monastery, I just feel like you can’t be bothered with family stuff.”

  “What?” Eve sat straight up in the chair. “How can you say that? I was here when Mama died. I was here when arrangements were made for her funeral. I visited as often as I could. I’ve been here for birthdays and your wedding. I’ve listened to your hard-luck stories about Vegas. I was here for the Captain’s retirement party. What have I missed by being a nun?”

  “You’ve missed all the mess, Eve. Sure, you show up for the death and the funeral, the parties, the planned events. But you missed holding the bucket when Mama vomited three times a day for a month. You missed having to apologize over and over for the Captain’s rants at the nurses and doctors while she was sick. You missed his drinking binges and having to go pick him up from the Mineshaft at two in the morning. You missed the creditors calling when he didn’t pay the bills. You missed planning my wedding with me and Mama. You missed sitting with us in the hospital waiting room and hearing the surgeon tell us they didn’t get all the cancer. You missed hearing that Robbie was beat up for not paying off a loan shark. I cannot name all that you missed in the twenty years you’ve been living at that monastery.”

  Evangeline sank back down. She’d never known Dorisanne felt like this.

  “I’m sorry, Eve. It’s not really like all that. You were there when you needed to be there. Mama knew you were there and I was glad to take care of her. I wanted to take care of her. Look, I’m sorry I stayed with Michael and Sarah and didn’t come. I’ll be back in a few weeks.”

  There was no reply.

  “Eve?”

  “Yeah, I’m still here.”

  “I’m sorry, okay?”

  And the only thing she could do was nod and end the call.

  TWENTY-FIVE

  Three days after the phone call with her sister, and three weeks after her father’s surgery and her temporary departure from the monastery, Evangeline was lonesome for her mother. She’s the only one, she thought, who could really help me deal with Dorisanne, make peace with her, and understand the truth of what she said. And she was the only one who could help Eve figure out what to do with the Captain and his recent spiral downward.

  Since it was Saturday, Evangeline decided to attend Mass at the local parish. The Captain declined her invitation to join her. So after she fixed his breakfast, carried it to him in bed, and cleaned up the dishes, she headed into town in the Captain’s truck.

  Father Steve was new to the little parish in Madrid. He was young and inexperienced in pastoral ministry, but Evangeline liked the young man and appreciated his sermon and the ways in which he cared for the little community. She knew he pastored four other churches and that he was on the road traveling from parish to parish more than he was actually in the pulpit, but he seemed comfortable with the arrangements of his assignment and cheerful during the Saturday morning Mass at the Madrid church.

  After the service she introduced herself to him, noting
her vocation and her recent leave of absence to take care of the Captain. Father Steve smiled knowingly when she mentioned her family name, and in good pastoral fashion asked about Jackson’s condition and if there was anything he could do as the pastor to the family. He explained that he was available if she thought the Captain wanted him to stop by and offer a blessing for the sick or an anointing for his healing.

  “No,” Evangeline had said. “I think he would only see your visit as being pushed upon you both by me.”

  And with that the priest had nodded and given his farewell greetings, needing to leave so that he could make it to the noon service in Galisteo. As he drove away, Evangeline turned and walked to the back of the church and into the cemetery where her mother was buried. She brushed off the tombstone, picked up a few limbs and leaves from the grave, and then kissed her fingers and touched the top of the stone before she sat down and leaned against it.

  It was a beautiful spring day, bright sun, perfectly blue sky. Evangeline took in a deep breath and closed her eyes. She thought about her mother, the gentle way she cared for her daughters, the fierce way she loved her family. Evangeline remembered her easy laugh and the ways she could always bring the Captain down from his rants and raves, how she always seemed to be able to soothe his troubled waters.

  “I love you, Mama,” she said. “And I miss you so much.” She slid her feet beneath her. “I wish you were here to tell me what to do about the Captain. I’m really worried,” she added. “He just doesn’t seem to be coming out of this funk.”

  Evangeline opened her eyes and watched as the pigeons flew in and out of the church belfry. She could see the cars snaking in and around the town, the tourists coming and going along the Turquoise Trail. She could hear the traffic noise and the breeze dancing through the dry cottonwood leaves scattered around the cemetery. She thought about her mom and the things she would say when Jackson was angry, when the two girls would complain to her about his temper or his strict means of discipline with them.

  “He’s a lion,” she once told them. “He thinks he has to roar to make his voice heard. He thinks being loud and strong is what a father is supposed to do.”

  Eve had rolled her eyes. “He’s not a lion, he’s a big, mean bully.”

  Mother pulled Eve into her arms, holding her tight, pressing her lips into the back of the young girl’s neck. “He loves you,” she had said. “He just wants you to be safe. That’s what he cares about most.” Dorisanne squeezed in, trying to get close to their mother. “You’re just like him, Eve,” she said.

  “Is that true? Am I a lion too? Am I going to be a bully like him?”

  “You’re not a bully,” her mother said. “You’re strong, but that doesn’t make you mean.”

  And even with the reassurance, Evangeline grew up always worried that her strength would be her downfall.

  Their mother had always been the peacemaker in their home. She had been the calm presence and the keeper of love and light in their family. And now that she was gone, Evangeline wasn’t sure that any of the three of them who remained knew how to bring about the peace they all needed. Especially the Captain. Especially now.

  Evangeline remembered something else. She knew that her mother had been worried about the Captain’s decision to retire and leave the force, and even though she did not know all of the facts about his choice, she knew that it wasn’t only because he wanted to start his own detective agency. Neither of her parents would explain what happened in Santa Fe and why he was retiring before the age of sixty-five, but she knew it wasn’t simply a decision based on his desire to run his own business. Something had happened. Evangeline just didn’t know what.

  One afternoon after the Captain’s surprise announcement, her mother had driven over to the monastery and surprised Evangeline with a visit. They had taken a walk. “The man has to work,” Evangeline recalled her mother saying as they hiked the dusty path. “Your father, I just don’t know if he’ll have enough to do as a private detective. He lives for his work. The only thing that really gets him out of bed most mornings is that need to solve a mystery or order someone else’s chaos. If this idea of his doesn’t pan out, I just don’t know how he’ll survive.”

  “He lives for his work,” Eve repeated to herself and then stood up and brushed herself off.

  “Thanks, Mom,” she said as she turned and touched the headstone once more. “A murdered Hollywood director may be just the chaos he needs right now.”

  TWENTY-SIX

  “Megan’s here,” Evangeline announced when she saw the limousine pull into their driveway.

  The Captain was in his room, back in bed after Eve had made him get up and go to the table for his breakfast. After her revelation at her mother’s grave, Evangeline hoped that his former client would give him reason to get up and stay up that morning. Prior to her epiphany at the cemetery, she had tried everything from phone calls from his old colleagues to rented movies from the video store to special sugar-free desserts purchased from his favorite local bakery. Even Trooper was unsuccessful in enticing her master to join her in a game of fetch. Eve hoped the inspiration from her mother’s memory was enough. She hoped this would be the answer to his low mood.

  There was no reply from his bedroom, and as far as she could tell, no sounds of movement coming from inside. She considered stomping down the hall and demanding that he get up and join them in the sitting room, but then decided against it. Captain Divine did not respond to bullying. She would talk to the young woman first. Maybe she would learn something in the conversation that she could use to interest him enough to get out of bed.

  By the time the young movie star had gotten out of the chauffeured car and up to the front door, Trooper was waiting to welcome her.

  “Hello, Trooper!” Megan peeked in and then opened the screen door and greeted the animal that she apparently had previously encountered.

  The dog wagged her tail and circled around and around the visitor.

  “Yes, I know,” Megan said, scratching her under the chin. “I am happy to see you too!”

  She stood up and smiled at Evangeline, who had brought out two cups of tea from the kitchen. “Trooper and I became good friends,” she noted.

  “I see that,” Evangeline responded. “Here, come in and have a seat.” She watched as the limousine pulled out of the driveway, then turned her attention to her guest, gesturing toward the sofa. She set the cups on the coffee table. “Let me take your coat,” she offered.

  Megan slid out of her leather jacket and handed it to her host. Evangeline hung it on a hook beside the door.

  “I hope you like tea,” she said. “I just made a pot. It has a hint of peach in it,” she added, taking the seat next to Megan.

  “Oh, I love tea,” the young woman commented, reaching out and taking a sip from her cup. Trooper had taken her position next to the feet of their guest. “Thanks so much for inviting me.” She looked around the room. “Where’s Captain Divine?” she asked.

  Evangeline smiled. “He’s in bed,” she answered.

  “Oh,” was the response. “Is he not feeling well today?”

  Evangeline shook her head. “No, he’s just stubborn,” she answered.

  Megan seemed confused.

  “He’s gotten depressed since he got fitted for his leg,” his daughter explained. “I was hoping your visit might cheer him up,” she added quietly.

  “Well, presently, that would be an unlikely role for me to play,” she said.

  Evangeline didn’t respond.

  Megan noticed the confusion. “I’m not sure I am such good company,” she acknowledged. “I’m depressed myself.”

  “What’s happened?”

  “It’s everything,” she answered. “First Chaz is missing. Then Chaz is dead. And now …” She waved her arm above her head. “Now I’m a suspect in his murder!” She put down the cup of tea and sat back against the sofa. “I can’t believe this has happened.”

  Evangeline sat back as well. �
��Well, what exactly has been going on?” she asked.

  Megan shook her head. “You heard me tell the chief of police that I would come to the police station and tell them what I knew, right?”

  Evangeline nodded. She remembered the conversation in the hospital room.

  “Well, I went to the station the next day and the interview started fine. I was taken to a room and introduced to a police officer who had a recorder and a pad of paper. He asked for my name and address, just the usual stuff. I thought they needed those things for their files. So I was answering all the questions. One officer even brought me a cup of coffee. It was all perfectly pleasant. And then the detective asked me where I was the day Chaz disappeared. And then he asked if we’d had a fight and if I was angry that Chaz hadn’t gotten divorced.”

  She clasped her hands together and placed them in her lap. “I felt like he was asking me questions that were a little too personal, and I told him I wasn’t comfortable talking about those things with a stranger. He said something like he wasn’t a stranger, he was a detective investigating a murder. And then I just didn’t want to be there anymore, so I asked him if I could leave.”

  Evangeline waited. “And did he let you?”

  “Not at first,” she answered. “He kept asking me more questions. And when I wouldn’t answer, he said that he would let me go but that he wanted to talk to me again before I returned to California.” She shrugged. “But I was planning to go back that night. I was scheduled to audition for a part in a new Mike Nichols movie.”

  Evangeline didn’t respond. She didn’t recognize the name.

  “It’s not the lead,” Megan explained. “But Ron, Mr. Polland, got the audition for me. It’s a good part. I thought diving back in to work might help take my mind off things.”

  Evangeline nodded. “So, did you return to Los Angeles?” she asked.

  “Yes,” she replied. “But a few days later I got a phone call, and the detective ordered me to come back to Santa Fe and answer more questions.”