The Travelling Detective: Boxed Set

by Joan Donaldson-Yarmey

  “How did you manage to stick it out?” Elizabeth asked, genuinely curious.

  “At first it was because I was in love,” Sarah said, ruefully.”

  When she didn’t elaborate Elizabeth asked. “Do you have children?”

  Sarah shook her head. “No. Nick wanted some but I wouldn’t have any.”

  “Is there anything you can tell us about Mom?” Jared spoke for the first time.

  Sarah looked at him, as if weighing whether she should say something. “No, we saw each other a couple of times and that is all.”

  “She didn’t confide in you, tell you that she was unhappy and planned to commit suicide?”

  “No.”

  * * * *

  “Well, we certainly didn’t learn anything there today?” Jared said, as they drove out of the yard.

  “Oh, yes we did.”

  “We did?” Jared glanced at her.

  “We know we can’t trust Sarah.” Elizabeth idly scratched Chevy’s head.

  “Why not?”

  “Well, for one thing, on our first visit she said that Nick had inherited the farm, which to me means his parents are dead. Yet today she sent Nick to their place with a supposed anniversary gift.”

  “You’re right. I’d forgotten about that conversation.”

  “I think she was getting rid of him because we were asking him about being your father. I wonder if that means that it’s true and she’s trying to keep it secret?”

  “And Nick went along with it,” Jared pointed out. “So we have to watch him, also.”

  “What I want to know is, what else has she or both of them lied about?”

  “I guess we could come right out and ask her,” Jared said.

  “I doubt that we would get a straight answer,” Elizabeth said, thoughtfully. “There has been a reversal of roles in that family. She made it sound like he was the dominant person in the marriage at the beginning, but we know that she is now. I wonder how and why the difference took place.”

  “Do you think Nick is my father?” Jared asked, suddenly stopping the van.

  “I did some comparing before he left,” Elizabeth admitted, “And there are some similarities.”

  “Such as?”

  “You are both about the same height. You are both slender. Your noses and chins are almost the same. But I think it would take DNA testing to be sure. We could try to get Nick alone and talk to him,” Elizabeth suggested.

  Jared leaned his chin on the steering wheel and stared out the windshield. Again Elizabeth felt sorry for him. This was turning into a bad trip for him. She changed the subject. “I wonder why Sarah said she wouldn’t have children.”

  When Jared didn’t answer, she added. “It just sounded strange the way she put it. Not that she didn’t want any, or couldn’t have any but that she wouldn’t have any.”

  He continued to gaze out the windshield.

  * * * *

  Christine’s Story

  Christine peeked through the window before opening her front door. They stood awkwardly, looking at each other then she smiled at Meredith.

  “Come in,” she said. “Let me take your coat.” She held out her hand.

  Meredith shrugged out of her parka and handed it to Christine. She carried it to her bedroom and laid it on her bed. She was curious as to why Meredith had called and wanted to come over. Did it have something to do with Ben? Her stomach was a mass of knots while she waited to find out.

  “I’ve made some tea,” she said, guiding Meredith into the kitchen.

  They sat at the table with cups in front of them. Christine poured then passed the cream to Meredith.

  When Meredith had called, the conversation had been formal and rigid, not the type expected between two women who had been friends for so many years. Although, it was almost typical of the way they related to each other now.

  Finally, Meredith spoke. “Christine, what’s going on? Why are you moving?”

  Christine relaxed a little. “Wayne’s already told you.”

  “Yes, he has but I can’t believe you are planning to leave here completely.”

  “I am.”

  “But why? What made you decide to do this?”

  “It’s been a long process.” She was getting so tired of explaining it.

  “I thought you liked the farm,” Meredith persisted. “You never complained about it.”

  “Not complaining and liking have two different meanings.”

  “We’ve been such good friends for so long,” Meredith said. “I noticed a change in you but I thought it was because of your job.”

  Christine looked at Meredith. She had been a good friend and she hated to say this. “Maybe it’s time for each of us to move on. Friendships don’t always last forever.”

  Meredith looked hurt. “I always thought ours would.”

  Christine suddenly put her hand on Meredith’s. “I’ve always valued our friendship and it is something I’m really going to miss. I hope you can forgive me.”

  “Forgive you?” Meredith asked. “For what? You’ve done nothing to me that needs forgiving.”

  Christine was silent for a while. “By doing this I’m running out on everyone who means the most to me. It’s been a tough decision but I have to do what is best for me. And, in a way, I’m trying to make up for my past mistakes.”

  “What do you mean? What have you done wrong?”

  Oh, Meredith, if you only knew. Christine smiled, grimly. “I’m just hoping to leave without hurting too many people.”

  “Well, you’re hurting Wayne,” Meredith said, standing.

  “I know. And that can’t be helped.” Christine got Meredith’s coat.

  She had just opened the door for Meredith when Graham appeared on the step.

  “Hi, Mom. Meredith,” he said. “Are you coming or going?”

  “I’m just leaving. Bye Christine.”

  “Bye,” Christine said, then turned to Graham. “What brings you here?”

  “We needed a few things and Dad didn’t feel like coming into town, so I came. I thought I’d bum a cup of coffee off you.”

  Christine smiled at her son. “I’ll even let you bum some cake.”

  Chapter 34

  Elizabeth assisted Jared into bed. He didn’t invite her to stay with him, to share his bed. In fact he hadn’t said more than five words since leaving Sarah and Nick’s place. He’d refused to go out for supper, just wanting to go to his room. And she didn’t blame him. He was discovering a lot about his mother that probably wasn’t what he’d expected.

  She went to her room and brought up her notes. She began to edit, working until Chevy wanted his walk. Afterwards, she drove into town and found a pizza parlour. She ordered a large Hawaiian pizza with extra cheese and asked for a couple of paper plates and napkins. With it in hand she went to Jared’s room and listened at the door. She didn’t hear anything. She could see under the door that there was a light on. Was he sleeping, reading, or writing? She hated to think that he was just staring at a wall going over and over everything in his mind.

  She knocked.

  “Come in.”

  She opened the door and Chevy immediately bounded over and jumped on the bed. He went up to Jared face and licked it.

  Jared laughed and held him off at arm’s length.

  “Oh, I’m so glad you’re okay,” Elizabeth said, relieved to hear him laugh.

  “I’m sorry for the way I acted. I was on a pity trip for a while.”

  “I don’t blame you,” Elizabeth set the pizza carton on the bed. “I thought you’d be hungry so I went and got this for us.”

  “Oh, you definitely are a girl after my heart. I was just laying here wondering why I’d been so stupid as to refuse going out with you tonight. I can’t believe I was so sulky. It’s not like me to act that way.”

  “You’ve had a lot of stuff thrown at you in the last few days. I think you’re entitled to feel sorry for yourself a little.” Elizabeth helped Jared prop himself
on the pillows then handed him a plate with a piece of pizza on it.

  “We’ve haven’t gone out for pizza yet so I wasn’t sure what kind you liked. I ordered the Hawaiian because it doesn’t have anything fancy on it.”

  “I love just about any topping except anchovies.”

  “Yuck, I hate those, too.”

  “Do you like pyrogies?” Elizabeth asked, remembering that she’d wondered while eating the ones in Glendon.

  “Of course. I think I’d be disowned by my Ukrainian ancestors if I didn’t. Why do you ask?”

  “I had some on my second day of travelling and I realized then that we hadn’t talked much about our food likes and dislikes.”

  After devouring the pizza, they began their discussion of what they’d learned during the day. It didn’t take very long.

  “The only really new thing we learned is that Nick and your mom dated in high school. She was talking marriage and he wasn’t. She was pregnant when she married your dad which could mean that Paul just might not be your father. She wouldn’t be the first woman who got pregnant by one man but for whatever reason, married another.”

  “If I was Nick’s child,” Jared said. “Why would Mom have married Dad—I mean, Paul?”

  “Didn’t someone say that Nick moved away after graduation? Maybe he left before she knew she was pregnant. Maybe she was already seeing Paul when she found out and told him the child was his so he’d marry her. She might even have thought it was at the time.”

  “It sounds like she had a mixed up life going,” Jared said.

  “She certainly wasn’t content,” Elizabeth agreed. “But I’ve gotten the impression that whatever she did or tried, she was doing for you.”

  “Do you think so?” Jared brightened.

  “Yes. She sold her grandmother’s jewellery to get you a present from Santa. She wanted to get out of an abusive relationship so she could provide a better home life for you.”

  “Thank you, Elizabeth,” Jared said. “I always feel better after talking with you.”

  * * * *

  Christine’s Story

  What an evening, Christine thought as she finally relaxed in her chair. First she’d worked late then Meredith had wanted to come for a visit and then Graham had popped in. He’d just left. She turned on the late news and began going over her plans for her move. She groaned at the rap at the door. She knew it had to be Ben. She’d told him this afternoon that she couldn’t make it for their date as he termed it and he hadn’t sounded happy about it. She wished she was in Vancouver and away from all this.

  Christine didn’t even go to the door. Instead, she turned off the television and then walked through the house shutting off all the lights.

  “I know you’re in there! Open the door!”

  Christine went back into the living room where she sat in her chair. The room was dimly lit by the shine from the streetlights reflecting off the snow. Outside, the night had a gloomy brightness. The pounding and yelling increased. She covered her ears to block out the noise. But she couldn’t block out the sound of him kicking at the door. She stood and went to the kitchen entrance. It was darker in the kitchen but she could see the wood of the door frame splinter when the lock gave way.

  She screamed as the door flew back against the wall and he entered the house. She rushed through her bedroom door to the phone. She frantically grabbed the receiver and began dialling the police station, but he caught her from behind and knocked the phone from her hand. She screamed and kicked back but he didn’t let go.

  “So you think you can give me the brush-off,” he rasped in her ear. His breath stank of alcohol.

  “Let me go!” She shrieked. “Let me go!”

  “Not until you say you love me again.”

  Christine struggled, trying to get away from his imprisoning arms.

  “Say it. Say you love me.”

  Christine suddenly stopped her kicking. She was so very scared. She could feel the panic rising in her and she knew she had to contain it. Her life depended on it. Her breath was ragged as she tried to think calmly. She had to get out of his arms. He had them wrapped around so she couldn’t elbow him. Kicking him in the shins was doing no good. If she could trip him somehow.

  “I’m waiting.”

  “Please let me go. I won’t call the police. You can go home and we’ll pretend this never happened.”

  “It’s too late.”

  “No, it’s not. No one knows you’re here. If neither of us tells, then you can continue with your life and I can get on with mine.”

  “It won’t work. I want you in my life too much to just let you go.”

  “But you’re throwing everything you have worked for away, your life with Meredith.”

  “If you’re leaving me, you’re leaving this world, too.”

  He dragged her backward out of the bedroom into the kitchen. She snaked her right foot behind his leg and pushed hard with her left. His backward movement plus her foot and extra shove tripped him and they toppled over. He automatically let go of her as his arms flung back. She heard him bang his head against the table.

  Christine scrambled to her feet and in the dim light grabbed a knife from the set on the counter. She held it in front of her as he slowly climbed to his feet. He rubbed the back of his head.

  “Get out,” she said, waving the knife at him. “Get out or I’ll use this.”

  He laughed and moved closer to her. “You wouldn’t. You don’t have the guts.”

  Christine took a step back. “Get out,” she repeated. “I don’t want to hurt you. I just want to be left alone.”

  He took another step towards her. “Give me the knife.”

  Her fear threatened to choke her. Her hand was unsteady. She fought to keep from falling in a quivering heap on the floor. She either had to use the knife or give it to him. And she was sure he would kill her if he had it.

  Suddenly, anger welled up inside of her. He had no right to be here. This was her home and he was an intruder. She was the one who had the rights in this house and she had the right to defend herself.

  She jabbed at him with the knife trying to frighten him. Instead he laughed. “You don’t scare me.”

  She saw him raise his hand and the memory of his slap flashed through her mind. Without thinking she lunged forward and plunged the knife into his stomach.

  “Uh,” he grunted, doubling over and grasping his mid-section with both hands.

  Suddenly she felt herself sliding to the kitchen floor. She lay there a few moments wondering what had happened. Then she saw a shadow flit across the floor. She struggled to say something but slipped into unconsciousness.

  * * * *

  Wayne’s Story

  Wayne watched the police car pull into the yard. What was Christine complaining about this time? The RCMP officer stepped out.

  “Mr. Dearden?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’m Constable Keeley from the Redwater RCMP detachment. We have your wife, Christine Dearden, at the station.”

  “Why? What’s the matter? Is she okay?” He felt a chill sweep through him. Something had happened to Christine.

  “She was attacked last night...”

  “Attacked? By whom? Was she hurt?”

  “Ben Warren assaulted her in her home and she stabbed him.”

  “Oh, my God. Ben? Why would he do that? How is she? Can I see her?” He wanted to know everything immediately.

  “Yes, she has been asking for you and now that the questioning is over you can see her. I assume you will want to take your truck.”

  He nodded and ran over to it. He didn’t think to tell Graham, didn’t think to change out of his milking clothes; he just thought of Christine. The drive into Redwater was the longest he had ever taken. He wanted to speed, to get there now, but he had to follow the police car at the speed limit. Couldn’t he put on his siren? Didn’t he know this was important, that Christine needed him?

  At the station he dashed through the d
oors, not waiting for the officer to show him the way. Inside he looked wildly around expecting to see her sitting on a bench or in a chair. She was nowhere in the room.

  “Where is she?” he demanded of Officer Keeley when he came in.

  “She’s in her cell.”

  “In her cell? What for?”

  “She’s been charged with murder.”

  “Murder? I thought you said she was attacked.”

  “She was.” Officer Keeley put his hand on Wayne’s shoulder. “Maybe you had better talk to her about it.”

  He followed him into a room with a small square table and two chairs.

  “I’ll be back with your wife.”

  When Christine entered the room he was dismayed to see her face pale and drawn, her clothes rumpled, her hair dishevelled. He put his arms around her and she laid her head on his shoulder.

  “Christine,” he whispered, hugging her close. “Oh, Christine.”

  They stood like this for a few minutes then he led her over to a chair at the table. He sat across from her holding her cold hands in his. “Tell me what happened.”

  Christine shook her head, tears in her eyes.

  “Please, Christine. I want to help you.”

  “You won’t after you hear this. You’ll hate me.”

  “No, I won’t. My feelings for you will never change.”

  He listened quietly to Christine as she told her story. She began with how she had gradually begun to hate the farm because of its oppressiveness and how she had dreamed of seeing the world. She told of the affair that had started two years ago because she needed some excitement in her life. She explained how after a year and a half she had told Ben it was over, but Ben had refused to accept that, saying she was now a part of his life. She decided to end the affair and because she didn’t want anyone to find out about it, she knew she would have to leave the area. So with Graham gone and her course just about over she had decided to carry out her dream of seeing more of life. The only obstacle was Wayne.