Winter's Mourning

by Janice J. Richardson

  “I am so glad to have you back. How’s your foot?”

  “Healing quickly. I’m ready to start working full-time again. Elaine has me set up in corner of the office at Williams. I’m also about a third of the way through the anatomy colouring book—I thought programming and coding was hard.” He laughed happily. “I’m loving it.”

  Jennifer turned her attention to the officer who’d been sitting quietly, sipping coffee and observing the little group. “I have some work to do. Sue will be by later to pick me up.”

  “Where are we going?” asked Stuart.

  “We?” Jennifer said a bit too sharply.

  “We, meaning you and me and Sue.” His tone was pleasant, he seemed to understand that Jennifer was trying to adjust to having him around instead.

  “I’m sorry. I just assumed you’d be staying here. We’re going to the shelter for a short visit. The hospital Chaplain will be joining us. I need to buy a new suit, well, maybe a couple of new suits, shoes, then off to a drug store for a few items.”

  “Got it,” came an amiable response.

  Jennifer rose. “I have a few things that have to get done, I’ll be in my office.” She took a few steps forward and could feel the crusted blood on her feet sticking to her socks. Parts of her feet were raw and hurt. She limped the last few steps to her desk.

  Peter and Elaine left for Williams Funeral Home.

  Her first order of business was an email to Detective Sergeant Ryan Gillespie outlining the reasons why she felt Sue should not be pulled from the protection detail. Sticking to facts she outlined that Sue had not taken a single day off, even though she was on duty and should have. She suggested that had she complied with Sue’s orders, Sue would have had time to follow her downstairs. Jennifer accepted full responsibility for what happened. It took her almost an hour to complete the short report; she wanted every word perfect.

  “There,” she said out loud as she hit send. Glancing at her watch she picked up the phone and called Mr. Duncan’s office. His secretary answered.

  “Oh Jennifer, Mr. Duncan told me what happened. I’m so glad you are safe. Let me put you through.”

  He picked up right away.

  “Thank you,” said Jennifer before he had a chance to start the conversation.

  “You’re very welcome. This goes deeper than any of us realized. You should know that my colleague’s information may have saved your life.”

  “And jeopardized his?”

  The pause at the end of the line confirmed her suspicions. She had the feeling Mr. Duncan spoke directly with Travis’ lawyer. She didn’t want to know or need to know how he got the information or whether or not that lawyer breached professional conduct rules.

  “Possibly, although Travis and his lieutenant may never know where the information came from. They would have to make the connection and I think we were discrete. Travis is obsessed with you. He wants revenge and he wants to kill you. I think his lieutenant may have talked some sense into him last night. Someone told Travis about your purchase of Williams Funeral Home. Holding you hostage for the money that had been in the casket was the possible goal, you’re worth more to him alive than dead now.”

  Jennifer had been listening intently. “That someone could have been Mr. Putnam?”

  “Without proof we cannot make that allegation, although I will keep my ear to the ground, so to speak.”

  “I see what you mean about it running deep. I’m very thankful and lucky to be alive. Thank you again, Mr. Duncan.”

  “Bye, Jennifer.”

  Sinking back in her chair, for the first time since Travis had kidnapped her hours before Jennifer had a moment of clarity—her mind sharp as things unfolded before her. It was clear now that Travis was a major crime boss masquerading as a funeral director. He made a mistake and left the cash in the casket and she’d inadvertently discovered it. His greed and pride had almost cost her life on more than one occasion. With three police forces working on apprehending him she knew he couldn’t last long.

  “It’s not your problem,” she whispered. “Let it go.”

  She opened her office door and heard Sue chatting with Officer Stuart.

  “Hi Sue,” she said brightly.

  “All set?”

  “Yep.” It felt a bit awkward to be leaving with Stuart, who drove them to the shelter.

  “I have to wait in the car,” he said. Men were not allowed in the shelter. He picked up his phone, pretending to read, although he wasn’t reading; he was actively watching for any sign of trouble.

  Regina stood on the front porch. The three of them hugged.

  “I have a photo of Winter and Aaron,” said Sue. “I will send it to your phones. I’d like to show it to Winter but I’m not sure the psychologist would approve. Her friend was her maid of honour at their wedding. None of the families knew about it and they kept it a secret.

  “They were married?” exclaimed Jennifer. “Wow.”

  “Winter’s friend said that Aaron used to be a player; he wasn’t serious about his life or his relationships, just wanted a good time. All that changed when he met Winter. They dated for over a year before they married. He was settling down and committed to her.”

  “When did they get married?” asked Regina. Sue checked her notes. “Valentine’s Day at City Hall in Toronto in front of a Justice of the Peace. I had the Toronto officer check with the Registrar’s General’s Office, it’s legit.”

  Sue finished sending the photo to Regina and Jennifer. Jen called it up. She caught her breath and stared at it in amazement.

  It was Aaron Wisener—at least, she was pretty sure it was. Jennifer tapped the photo off and slipped it back into her pocket. There was one other person she had to check with first. Peter might be able to confirm or deny it was Mr. Wisener’s son, he’d gone to Toronto with Jennifer to pick up Aaron’s body.

  Once again the three of them kept the visit with Winter short. She was starting to respond more to conversation and greeted the three of them with a pleasant hello. Jennifer sat closest to her and reminded her who she was.

  “I remember you, Jennifer. I remember the Chaplain too.”

  “Sue is a police officer friend of mine,” said Jennifer. “How are you feeling?”

  “OK. Still really sad though.”

  “Winter, the initials in the tree near the falls, are they yours?”

  Winter looked at her but did not respond. She pulled her feet up and under her and folded her arms, trying to look smaller. Jennifer backed off any conversation and they sat quietly for several minutes.

  With nothing further to discuss until they talked to the psychologist, Jennifer looked over and saw Regina’s tiny nod. It was time to leave.

  “Goodbye Winter, see you soon,” she said as the three of them stood to leave.

  Winter did not answer or show any sign that she’d heard them.

  Outside they said goodbye to each other. “I’ll let you know what the psychologist advises,” Regina said. “See you later.”

  Back in the car Jennifer and Sue turned their attention to shopping. Any discussion of Winter could wait until they were alone.

  “Let’s go to the mall. I can pick up dressings at the pharmacy and buy some suits and a new pair of shoes. One stop shopping.”

  Jennifer wanted to have a few minutes alone with Sue to find out what had happened, why Ryan had pulled her from the protection detail, and if there were any repercussions. She’d make sure she had the chance at the clothing store. Jennifer would try on a dozen items if it meant she and Sue could catch up away from the new guy.

  They started at the drug store. Jennifer picked up the bandages and antibiotic cream first, then they went through a few shoe stores. Stuart stood outside, once again pretending to be on his phone. As Sue and Jennifer walked through the mall he kept a discreet distance behind them, but could likely still hear snatches of their conversation.

  At the clothing store he sat down on a bench. Jennifer picked out three suits a
nd handed Sue some blouses. “We need to talk, come with me.”

  Sue nodded.

  The change room was empty; Sue and Jennifer were the only ones there. Sue stood outside the cubicle pretending to hold clothing for Jennifer.

  “What happened Sue? Why did they pull you from the detail? Whose decision was it?”

  Sue gathered her thoughts. “I raced downstairs to try and catch the person I saw grab you. By the time I reached the lot, the car had pulled out of Simon’s driveway. I didn’t know it was Travis; I couldn’t see his face. He must have been prepared.” Her voice wavered. Jennifer heard her swallow.

  “He would have seen you open the garage door. Must have had his keys and the chloroform ready. he probably popped the trunk and started the car remotely as he rushed outside. It was a well-planned kidnapping. One has to wonder how many times he grabbed his keys to come downstairs only to see you were with someone.” Sue sighed. Jennifer heard her pants rustle as she shifted her weight from one foot to the other.

  “He didn’t drive away on the main street—took a back route. The car he drove you away in was black. I called immediately for assistance.”

  Jennifer opened the door to the change room. She stepped out and looked at herself in the three-way mirror. Her legs were bruised and scratched but she could tell the suit fit nicely. Sue concurred. Jennifer went back into the change room to try on the next one, her gaze locking with Sue’s in silent acknowledgment.

  “The car Travis had me in up north was grey.”

  “He must have switched somewhere here in town before he left town.”

  “Then what?”

  “This part is the hardest for me,” Sue said, her voice strained. “Detective Sergeant Gillespie was livid. He threatened to suspend me. I’ve never heard him yell like that. He grilled me over and over about every detail. Told me how disappointed he was in me and ordered me home; he would talk to the Lieutenant about disciplinary action.”

  “But why?”

  “Because you told me about the curtain at the window, and I should have known better. I did know better. I was supposed to go with you at all times. I was lazy and tired and I stood on the balcony instead.”

  Jennifer didn’t answer. Police forces were often run like paramilitary organizations. It made sense that if an order was disobeyed there would be consequences.

  “I begged Detective Sergeant Gillespie to let me stay. He finally agreed only because I knew you as well as anyone, other than Marcia, of course. He thought I might have an idea of how you would respond to the crisis.”

  “Then what?”

  “I sat at my desk. It was pretty tense. The rest of the staff felt it and avoided looking at me or talking to me. Detective Sergeant Gillespie left the office to call the Lieutenant and give him the details. The Lieutenant called me, told me I was being pulled from the detail and it would go on my record. All things considered, it was better than a suspension. The DS and I sat there all night waiting for news about you. We had no idea where you were; the police were on the lookout for a black sedan. Then you called and, well, you know the rest.”

  Jennifer poked her head out of the cubicle. “I’ll take this one too. I should get several in Marcia’s size as well.” She could see the officer on the bench glance up. “I have to get to Williams and then off to the school for the assembly.”

  “Jennifer, I’m really, truly sorry. Can you forgive me?” Jennifer stepped out of the cubicle and faced Sue.

  “You’ve got that wrong. I’m the one who’s sorry. You do not ask for my forgiveness. I should have waited for you or left the garbage until the next day. Can you forgive me?”

  Sue studied her face, then slowly nodded.

  “Then it is behind us?” Jennifer asked. “I don’t blame you and I told Detective Sergeant Gillespie that in my email this morning.”

  “You emailed him?”

  “I did. He’s wrong.”

  “The officer outside and the rest of the detail were read the riot act by Detective Sergeant Gillespie as well. They won’t dare make a mistake.”

  “How many are there?”

  “Three.”

  “Huh—see, it takes three people to replace you. I think Detective Sergeant Gillespie needs to rethink his position. You were doing the work of three men.”

  Sue chuckled.

  The officer rose as they left the store.

  “Can you drop me off at the funeral home, Stuart? Jennifer has to be at Williams’ soon, the school assembly is at three.”

  He nodded and trailed behind them. Sue and Jennifer walked ahead carrying bags with shoes and suits and bandages.”

  “Oh, I forgot to tell you. There was kind of a tender moment early this morning when Detective Sergeant Gillespie told Marcia you were safe,” said Sue in a low voice. She giggled softly. “Marcia was on the verge of hysteria when she heard you’d been kidnapped but she was holding it together. She had a house call and the little girl to pick up from the hospital. I don’t know how she did it. He kept calling her honey, reassuring her over and over it was OK, and I heard him say ‘I love you’ quietly into the phone. It was really sweet and it felt good to hear him like that after the dressing down he gave me.”

  Jennifer chuckled softly too. “No one has called me honey in years.”

  “Me either. But ...”

  “What?”

  “Haney did ask me out for coffee.”

  “Did you go?”

  “Dinner tonight instead.”

  “I’m so happy for you! Good luck—let me know.” It felt good to smile again, she wanted the best for Sue.

  In the car Jennifer’s phone cheeped. It was an email from Desta, who had a picture of the sign she designed for Williams.

  “Wow. Look.” She handed the phone to Sue.

  Sue looked at it carefully. “That is as professional a sign as I’ve ever seen. The design element is spectacular.”

  Jennifer studied it in more detail then emailed Desta back, told her to show it to Brent and Marcia and go ahead and order it.

  Gwen had texted her as well. She’d heard about the kidnapping on the news. Jennifer felt a little guilty she hadn’t found the time to let Gwen know she was OK.

  She texted her. Can you stop by for a latte tonight?

  Sure, 9:30 OK?

  Yep, my treat. Will pay you when you arrive. No arguments. My turn.

  OK. See ya.

  At the funeral home Jennifer gave Sue a hug goodbye and told Officer Stuart she was going to run upstairs and drop off the parcels. There was no time to put on bandages.

  Grimsby lay asleep on the back of the couch; she said hi to him. His ear twitched and he stretched but left it at that.

  Downstairs she heard Peter, who had come to pick up something for Elaine.

  “I have to scoot, but I wanted to get your advice. This is in strictest confidence,” she whispered.

  Peter nodded.

  Jennifer showed him the photo of Winter and Aaron.

  “Do you recognize the young man?”

  Peter studied the picture carefully then looked at Jennifer.

  “I’ve seen him before, I’m sure of it. I just don’t know who it is.”

  “Aaron ...”

  “Wisener,” finished Peter quickly. “Yes, he looks like Aaron Wisener.”

  “Thanks Peter, I thought so too. See you later.”

  “You bet.”

  Jennifer picked up her notes for the assembly and sat in the back seat of the car, deciding to feel like she was being chauffeured. She didn’t care that it was a bit immature to feel that way, too much had happened in the past few days to worry about what anyone might or might not think.

  When she arrived at Williams, Desta greeted her as she entered the front door. Jen left Officer Stuart sitting in the car.

  “Desta, your design is exceptional. You have some serious talent.”

  “Thank you, Jennifer. I enjoyed doing it.”

  “Do you think you could design one for Spencer�
�s?”

  Desta smiled. What a beautiful, talented woman, thought Jennifer. She should be working in an environment where her gift is recognized and appreciated and she’s well compensated. As a recent immigrant, Desta had fought some uphill battles.

  “I could make a sign that doesn’t compete with the other one but is similar. Sort of a brand sign, since you now own both funeral homes.”

  Jennifer made a mental note to ensure that Desta received a healthy bonus for her work.

  “That’d be great. Thanks, Desta.”

  Marcia and Brent came up the stairs, followed by Elaine, who slipped past them into the front office. Jennifer walked over and extended her still-swollen right hand to Brent.

  “Welcome Brent. Thank you for starting early. I hope you’ll be as happy at Williams as we are to have to join us.”

  Brent’s firm but not too firm handshake didn’t hurt.

  “I am glad to be here Jennifer. I heard about the kidnapping on the news. It must have been a horrible experience for you.”

  “It was,” said Jennifer soberly. Brent’s comment wasn’t nosey or condescending. People often didn’t know what to say when faced with a difficult situation. Brent clearly knew how to respond to people at their level.

  “Would you like me to take calls for both funeral homes tonight? You and Marcia have had a busy week from what I hear.”

  “Thank you, Brent, I haven’t slept yet. Marcia’s been very busy. Marcia?”

  “Absolutely. Thank you.”

  “If ladies by the name of Evelyn or Linda call with news of Greg’s death, please tell them you can reach me right away. I promised them I would be there. I did tell the answering service to put them through.

  “Of course, Jennifer, I have done the same for families. Some just tug at your heart and you have to respond.”

  Jennifer and Marcia concurred.

  “Shall we get to it?” Marcia asked.

  “Officer Stuart is outside in the car. I didn’t think to ask him to come in. I’m not thinking clearly.”

  “Officer Stuart?” queried Brent. “Like Thomas the Tank Engine or Bob the Builder?”

  Jennifer and Marcia laughed. “Stuart is one of the police officers assigned to my protection detail, my bodyguard. In order for me to keep them straight they will be named Officer ‘whatever their names are’. This one is Stuart. He will be off-duty shortly and I get to meet another one. One of quite a few policemen I’ve interacted with over the past twenty-four hours.”