“Ryan,” said Marcia. “Sue has all the inside information.” She and Sue grinned at each other. “He is so task-oriented and such a perfectionist, I told you about his apartment. When he leaves his office his staff will move the stuff around on his desk. It make’s him nuts. He has a little statue of a hockey player they turn around and put it in odd places. Gremlins.” She laughed happily.
“What are you doing for supper Marcia?” asked Jennifer.
“I was hoping Ryan would be free but he thinks he might be working late.”
Sue and Jennifer exchanged glances.
“Why don’t you join us upstairs for dinner. I haven’t decided what it’ll be. I have a meeting with the bank manager in a few minutes, but we can figure it out,” said Jennifer.
“It’s my turn to make dinner,” said Sue. “Leave it with me.”
The three of them chatted quietly until the bank manager arrived, right on time. As Sue double-checked the lock on the garage door, Marcia went to the front office to call Elaine and Desta at Williams Funeral home, assuring Jennifer she’d lock the front door at 5 p.m. if she wasn’t finished her meeting.
Jennifer ushered Mr. Putnam into the lounge. He appeared to be a self-assured middle-aged man, tall, balding, and fit. His handshake was firm and he looked Jennifer straight in the eye. If nothing else, he comes across as sincere. He accepted a cup of tea, and after exchanging pleasantries, he got right down to business.
“You are positioned to become a very successful business with the purchase of an additional funeral home,” said Mr. Putnam. “We have the services and investment opportunities to make your business grow.”
“At this point in time, I’m interested only in a mortgage.”
Mr. Putnam cleared his throat. “Well, yes, that’s our first order of business.”
It’s our only order of business, thought Jennifer.
“Your solicitor, Mr. Duncan has done a thorough job. I have his documents here. Perhaps I should explain them to you.”
Jennifer felt herself stiffen. She did her best not to let frustration get the better of her but she’d had enough for one day, and listening to a banker trying to sell financial services and go over details that had already been covered was not on her to-do list. It was going to take all she had to be polite and kind.
“Of course,” she said, not meaning it. He was just trying to do his job, after all.
Mr. Putnam, having taken centre stage, launched into a detailed explanation of the offer to purchase and the mortgage. As Mr. Putnam droned on, Jennifer’s mind started to wander: What was Travis doing on that corner? Did he know Sue was her bodyguard? He kept creeping into her thoughts.
Jennifer willed herself back to the discussion as she sensed Mr. Putnam finally starting to wind down.
“We have prepared the mortgage documents. Mr. Duncan received a copy. We couriered them to your sister.” He handed her a copy.
Jennifer looked at him, trying not to focus on the shiny spot on the top of his head. She nodded and accepted the papers.
“I’ll go through them with my sister and Mr. Duncan by the close of business tomorrow. I assume Anne can present to one of the bank branches to sign her copy?”
“Of course. Now, in addition to the mortgage I have an insurance offer. Let me explain it.” Off he went again, droning down his list. Again, Jennifer willed herself to focus. It didn’t last long.
Is Travis serious about trying to kill me or is he just posturing? If he wants the money back what purpose would it serve to kill me, the police have it. It’s gone. Then again, he killed two people who worked for him over money—or did he? He’s greedy and vengeful. Maybe we could set a trap for him. Maybe I should stay out of it? Her inner turmoil and inside voices were distracting her from the business in front of her.
She tried not to yawn. There was no point dwelling on Travis or making a decision about the mortgage and insurance or investments she wasn’t ready for when she could barely think straight. Jennifer decided she’d heard enough. Mr. Putnam would have her undivided attention at signing. She waited for him to pause and cut in.
“You have certainly done a thorough job on the mortgage and insurance, Mr. Putnam. I will look through it all tonight and call you tomorrow to set up a time to sign it.” Jennifer stood up to signal the end of the conversation.
Mr. Putnam collected his portfolio and Jennifer walked him to the door, where he shook her hand again. After she locked the door behind him, Jennifer walked to the front office and sat down. Her thoughts were scattered. No point in trying to sort through the mortgage details tonight, she told herself. You’re tired and you need to sleep. She headed upstairs to join Marcia and Sue.
After a pleasant dinner Marcia excused herself. “It’s been a long day, I think I’ll head back to the cottage.”
Sue rose to walk Marcia to the car, tucking her police revolver in the waistband of her track pants.
“I’ll come down with you,” said Jennifer. “It’s a lovely evening and I can take out the garbage.”
After saying goodbye to Marcia and putting the bags in the dumpster, Jennifer wandered around the lot, picking up bits and pieces of loose trash. At the edge of the property she stooped to pick up several bags and papers. The neighbour, an elderly man she knew as Simon, was sweeping his driveway.
“Good evening Simon,” she said pleasantly. “I trust the crowds over the past day didn’t disturb you too much.”
“Not at all missy. I went inside your place to see Mr. Gordon. He was the mayor once you know.” Jennifer loved it when he called her “missy”, it was sweet and endearing.
“I’m sorry I missed you. I would have said hi. How are things with you?”
“Good, good. Putting a little aside for a trip to visit my sister next week. Much easier to do now that I have a boarder.”
“That’s a smart idea. You have a large house, gives you a little extra income.”
“Yes indeed, it’s only for a few months. Never see him, he has a night job. Roxie doesn’t like him though.” He chuckled. Roxie was his fat cat, a lump of a tabby who usually just sat in the window and watched the world go by.
“Is Roxie going to your sister’s with you?”
“Oh yes, yes she is. Can’t go away and leave my Roxie behind.” A smile lit up his face. He adored his cat.
“Jennifer,” called Sue over by the garage door. “Phone call.”
“Gotta run Simon. Give Roxie a hug for me.”
“Bye missy.”
Jennifer tossed the papers into the dumpster and met Sue at the door. “It’s Detective Sergeant Gillespie. We’ve been talking, he’d like a word with you.”
Taking the phone Jennifer said, “You wanted to speak to me?”
“Yes. I’d like to stop by if I could.”
“Of course.” He disconnected and Jennifer shook her head scowling.
“He’s on his way?”
“He’s on his way,” Jennifer confirmed, the fatigue showing in her tone. She didn’t really want to speak with him—she was “peopled out” for the day. What she really wanted to do was curl up with a book and Grimsby and shut out the world for a few hours.
Detective Sergeant Gillespie arrived at the funeral home in short order. He, Sue, and Jennifer took a seat in the lounge. He turned to Jennifer.
“You’re sure you saw Travis today?” Not hi, how are you. Just like Anne.
“I am.”
“So am I,” said Sue. “No doubt whatsoever.”
“Well, there was no sign of him when the patrol car searched the area. If it was Travis, his behaviour seems to be escalating. How could he have known you were in the hearse?”
Jennifer didn’t answer, neither did Sue. It was more a statement than a question.
He continued, “The man who handed you the envelope at the cemetery said he didn’t know who gave it to him. Claimed he was approached by a man, in a bar. It was dark. He agreed to do it for a hundred in cash. He also claimed it was the only time.
Very cliché response.”
“No idea if the man in the bar fit Travis’ description?” Sue asked.
“No. It’s possible the man who was at the City Hall parking lot is the one who handed you the note at the cemetery, which makes his story questionable.”
“Wasn’t that a rental car?” asked Jennifer. “Any idea who rented the car?”
“Can’t trace it,” said Ryan. “The person who rented it used a stolen credit card.”
“Did the signature on the rental form match Travis’ signature?” asked Sue.
Ryan shook his head no as he let out a long, deep sigh, the exhaustion of the past few days still etched on his face.
They sat in silence for a bit, each lost in their own thoughts. Jennifer put her elbow on the arm of her chair and propped up her head. She was tired, fed-up, scared and angry riding a roller coaster of emotion. She broke the silence.
“He’ll slip up at some point.”
Sue looked at Jennifer. “I hope so. In the meantime, we have to be on guard every minute we’re out of the funeral home.”
Jennifer stood. “I’ll let you two continue the conversation. It’s been a long day. Good night Detective Sergeant.”
Jennifer slogged upstairs, put the kettle on and stood at the patio doors, looking out over the darkening street. As her tea steeped she wandered around the apartment, looking out each window. He has to have someone watching the funeral home, she thought. I think Sue and I need to be checking the street carefully for a parked car every day from now on. She picked up her tea and sat on the couch. Grimsby jumped down from behind and sat beside her. She thought about the day ahead.
Tomorrow we have the visit with Winter. Brent will let us know about the position. Tomorrow Anne and I sign the mortgage for Williams Funeral Home. I have to go to the crematorium ... But if Travis has his way, tomorrow could be my last day on earth.
9
The following day Jennifer felt better about the challenges ahead. For her, a good night’s sleep was like “washing her brain”; it gave her a new perspective. Sue joined her at the table in the kitchen. The two of them enjoyed the early morning quiet.
“Do you think Travis will be in custody by next week, when I get my hair cut?
Sue looked a little pensive. “Can’t answer that one way or another. Can’t even speculate. It’s like tracking down fog, he’s that elusive. Ryan will be meeting with the RCMP today, they may have some insight. We can only hope.” She looked at Jennifer carefully. “This has put a tremendous strain on you. With the responsibilities of your job, the hours you work, your concerns about Winter, the purchase of Williams, well, not too many people could cope.”
“I’m not coping. I can handle the funeral homes and the hours, that’s why I’m single. I made a choice. I also made a choice to help Winter. It’s Travis. He may not have killed me physically yet”—Sue winced—”but he is killing me emotionally and mentally. Travis is the reason I can’t easily leave this funeral home and do my job. Worse yet, he has alienated my friends and kept me from being with the people I work with. He has done his best to diminish my sense of safety. If we’re to talk about choices, I have a choice, Sue. I can choose to live in fear or I can choose to face this challenge.”
She paused. Picking up the spoon on the table in front of her she twirled it. Thinking about what she had just said made her angry and agitated. Sue tapped her fingers lightly on the table, matching Jennifer’s mood.
“I can’t do it alone.” Jennifer sat up straight and looked at Sue. “I’m not alone. I know you and your team are putting in some long hours on this. We have to figure out how he knows what our movements are.”
Sue nodded thoughtfully. “And we have to be proactive. For example, later today we have our self-defence training. You’re relatively safe here, but you can’t stay cooped up. It could be months before Travis is found.” Sue brightened. “There is some good news. I got a text from my colleague. He found Winter’s last known address in Toronto. All we have to do is interview her landlord and try to track down some friends. We could go to Toronto on a day off ourselves or I could ask one of my counterparts with the Toronto police to check. What do you think?”
“I’d like a day in Toronto, and I could certainly schedule it on your day off, that is, if you’re up to it.”
“I think that would be a great idea. I have days off, I just chose not to leave you with someone you don’t know. Protecting you is my job, and I am sure you don’t mind having a different officer with you in the funeral home once in a while, but this doesn’t feel like work to me. The only time I feel like I’m fully on duty is when we are outside the funeral home, like today.”
“Things have the potential to ugly really fast,” said Jennifer.
“They do. I wish we didn’t have to go out sometimes, only because it’s safe here. But we do, so let’s get ready for the day. What’s first?”
“Crematorium.”
As they prepared to leave, Sue asked if she could drive from now on.
“Of course. Why?”
“I have defensive driving training. You never know ...” her voice trailed off.
Jennifer could feel tears threatening at the back of her eyes. She loved to drive and would use the time to enjoy the day, rain or shine, or to sing or self-talk or work out a problem.
Choosing her answer carefully, she made it light. “I always wanted a driver. Who wouldn’t?”
Jennifer used the time as a passenger to confirm with Regina for Winter’s visit, call the bank to schedule a funeral home visit later in the day and check her email. Brent’s confirmed his acceptance of the position as manager of Williams Funeral Home.
“Finally some good news, Sue. Brent is going to take the job.”
“Maybe that’s a sign that things will get better. He’s a great guy, perfect for the job.”
“I have to tell Marcia.” Jennifer called and she answered right away. Marcia was delighted. Brent would be starting in ten days. His realtor had found a house that ticked all his boxes, he and his wife were going to view it soon. Jennifer responded to Brent, then scanned the news and read Part II of Anne’s article.
When they returned to the funeral home, Jennifer checked with the answering service to see if they had any messages. It had been quiet. She called the family and left a message to tell them she had picked up their mother’s cremated remains. Sue used the time to connect with her team.
“I’m a little apprehensive about meeting Winter again,” said Jennifer to Sue as the left for the shelter. “I so desperately want this to be a happy ending for her but it may not be that simple. I get a sense that she may have experienced a severely traumatic event and is grieving.”
“I’m with you. I want this resolved for Winter’s sake, and for the sake of her baby. I think, with the right amount of legwork and research, we may be able to get some answers. Winter has a long road back from this ordeal.”
The shelter was within walking distance from the funeral home. Jennifer was a little puzzled when Sue did a long, circuitous route and asked why.
“Just being proactive. Want to make sure we are not being followed.” Regina was waiting in her car on a side street. Sue reintroduced herself to the Chaplain.
“Anything we should or should not say?” Jennifer asked.
No,” Regina said. “We are all professionals, we each have a job to do. You, Jennifer, are her friend right now. She needs to feel safe.”
Sue and Jennifer exchanged glances. Jennifer knew all too well how not feeling safe could change one’s life.
“I’m just here as support for now,” said Sue. “Just so you know, Regina, we have a lead on her last place of residence. Jennifer and I will be pursuing it.”
“That is good news. We can visit for five minutes only. The psychologist doesn’t want Winter overexposed to stimulus right now. He’s not optimistic and was opposed to the visit. We compromised.”
After they signed in, the worker led them to a comfortabl
e room with couches and chairs. Winter sat facing the door. Her hair was neatly combed and she wore clean jeans and a sweatshirt. Winter glanced up when the three of them entered.
“Winter, your visitors are here,” said the worker. Winter didn’t answer.
Regina took the lead. “I brought Jennifer to see you. She found you on the Niagara Parkway.” As the three of them went to sit down, Regina silently directed Jennifer to the chair closest to Winter.
Jennifer’s could feel her anxiety rising and wondered what might happen if she said the wrong thing? She didn’t have the training to help Winter, what made her think she could break Winter’s silence?
The silence of winter. The analogy hit her. That’s it, she thought to herself. Winter doesn’t have to say anything. Neither do I, at least not right away.
She sat close to Winter and did her best to ensure her body language remained open and friendly. No words were spoken for several minutes. Regina glanced at her watch and caught Jennifer’s gaze. It was time to go.
“Before I leave,” said Jennifer, “I just wanted to make sure you were OK. That you have everything you need.”
Jennifer got ready to stand up. Winter spoke.
“Aaron.”
There was a long pause. Jennifer felt a run chill down her spine. She was at a loss for words. “We will be back Winter. We’ll find out what we can about Aaron. I promise.”
Regina rose, signalling the meeting was over.
Outside the three of them looked at each other.
“We have something to work with,” said Regina. “She is going to be OK. It’s an answer to our prayers.”
Sue nodded. Jennifer didn’t trust herself to speak. If Aaron was Winter’s child or a friend or a boyfriend, then where was he? Finding the truth could be worse than not knowing. She thought about Winter kneeling in the rain at the base of the tree—it was as if her very essence washed away with each raindrop and scattered in the wind. If Aaron had left or worse, was dead, Winter’s recovery could be in jeopardy.
The three of them agreed to keep each other posted and to visit Winter again in a few days.
Winter's Mourning Page 9
