“My pleasure. We have a little business to conduct before we call it a night, if that is acceptable Officer.”
Mr. Wisener’s driver sat in the chair beside Mr. Wisener, Officer Jim sat beside Jennifer. The driver handed Mr. Wisener a manila envelope.
“First, my dear,” John said to Jennifer. “Congratulations on the acquisition of Williams Funeral Home.”
“Thank you.”
“Second, I was out of the country when you were kidnapped. I wasn’t aware of your situation until you called me. My team routinely did some research, since I had no idea why you called and I assumed you were seeking my assistance in locating and apprehending Mr. Holden. From our discussion, I see that was not the case. However, I have some information for you and for the police.”
He did not hand over the envelope right away; he sat back in his chair and turned to Officer Jim.
“I understand that provincial and federal law enforcement are looking for Mr. Holden?”
“That is correct, sir,” Officer Jim replied.
“Ms. Spencer is at considerable risk.”
“Yes sir, I’m constantly reminding her of that fact, as is the rest of the team.” Officer Jim chuckled. Mr. Wisener and his driver smiled. Jennifer tried not to smile, but could feel the corners of her mouth twitch. Officer Jim was correct.
The waiter came in with tea and coffee and pastries. Mr. Wisener’s driver served them.
“Tell me about the kidnapping,” Mr. Wisener said. He sat back in his chair and crossed his legs.
Jennifer looked at Officer Jim, then back at Mr. Wisener. She didn’t want to discuss it.
“It’s OK, Jennifer,” Mr. Wisener said. “We’re all friends here. I think I can help.”
Jennifer told him how Travis had been hiding in the house beside the parking lot; how he grabbed her and what happened until she was able to escape. She explained that she walked through the night until the truck driver stopped to help. She kept it brief and clinical, not trusting herself to let the emotions push through. She told him about the paramedic and the officer and going back to the car, then finally coming home. She abruptly stopped talking. That was more information than she’d been prepared to give.
Officer Jim was clearly enjoying his coffee and pastry. Jennifer picked up a cookie, took a tiny bite and sipped at her tea. It was quiet for a minute.
“I had a little chat with your lawyer, Mr. Duncan,” said Mr. Wisener. “He was most helpful. He’s a good man. I also thought you might like to know that Mack, the truck driver will be receiving an award and a commendation.”
“Mack may have saved my life. I’m delighted to hear that.”
Mr. Wisener handed the envelope to Officer Jim.
“Detective Sergeant Gillespie may call if he has any questions. The name and number of the head of my security team is on the business card inside. Much of the information is known to police. Some of it may not be. There will be more.” He turned to Jennifer.
“Mr. Holden was at a hideout not too far from where you escaped. He was rescued by an officer who was on the take. Apparently a forged OHIP card was used so Travis could get treatment in Ottawa, thanks to his Lieutenant, the one you know as Doug. You caused Travis considerable pain when you injured him. The fractures will heal, the nerve damage will not. The medical report is enclosed.”
Jennifer stared at Mr. Wisener, at a loss for words.
“Ideally Jennifer, you should leave the country for a while. I have property in the Caribbean, in Europe, just about anywhere you would care to go. You’d be safe and well looked after. Though I suspect you will attempt to decline, I strongly recommend you go.”
Jennifer found her voice. “I’m a nobody. Why would Travis care what happens to me?”
“You are kind and gentle and care about people. You are also naive. Conversely, there are people who have no heart, no feeling, no conscience. My grandfather met many during the war like Mr. Holden, Nazi’s who cared only for the cause. Travis’ organization has taken quite a blow because of you, Jennifer. You are not a nobody. You’ve nearly destroyed him. He won’t let it go. Eventually he’ll be caught and until then, you’re not safe. Please consider my offer.”
“He’s right, Jennifer,” Officer Jim said. “Please?”
Jennifer turned to Officer Jim, her eyes brimming with tears. She’d become quite fond the gentle man who understood her fear, her tears, and who had experienced the same post traumatic stress she was currently undergoing.
“Maybe if I’m out of the way,” she said sadly, “my staff and friends will be safe too.”
“I have taken the liberty of finding a couple of funeral directors who’d be able to fill in indefinitely,” said Mr. Wisener. “Both are experienced, reliable, and have passed all our security checks. I can assure you your businesses will be well looked after. You have my personal guarantee.”
Mr. Wisener’s driver rose. “Can I buy you a drink Jim?” he asked.
“You certainly can William,” said a jovial Officer Jim. He turned to Jennifer. “We’ll be at the bar when you’re ready Jennifer.”
As the door closed, Jennifer, overwhelmed by the offer to keep her safe, turned to Mr. Wisener.
“I can’t go yet. Winter has a good team working with her and she’s still not doing well. Her situation needs resolution.”
He looked at her intensely for a long minute. She returned his gaze and held it briefly. Something deep inside her stirred—she realized she was becoming emotionally attached to him.
“I would be devastated if something happened to you.” She looked at him, his gaze seeking hers. “You do grow on a person.” He raised her hand and kissed the back of it. His eyes were soft.
A tiny shiver shot through her. He placed his other hand on top of hers. Rising, he led her to the window where they stood for a long time, watching the falls. Jennifer spoke first.
“It would not have occurred to me to contact you for help with the Travis issue, John. I’m so sorry my request to meet with you was misleading. My goal was to ensure Winter recovers and my hope, no, more than hope, my dream was that you would become family.”
He turned to her. “You are always thinking about others Jennifer, sometimes to your detriment. It’s time to take care of yourself.” She didn’t say anything. “I’ll be in touch once I have the final information on Winter.”
On the way out he lingered, leaned in, kissed her gently on the cheek, then opened the door to the now near-empty restaurant. She could see Officer Jim at the bar. He gave her a tiny wave and came toward her.
“Thank you, John.”
“Thank you, Jennifer. You’ve given me a new lease on life.”
17
Early the next morning Jennifer called Chaplain Regina and told her about the meeting.
“That’s an outcome I wasn’t expecting,” Regina said.
“How so?”
“How could he lose touch with his son so completely? Wouldn’t his security team find the marriage license?”
“Conversely, Regina, why didn’t Winter adopt Aaron’s last name?” Jennifer felt an overwhelming need to defend Mr. Wisener. She hadn’t slept well the night before as thoughts of being so close to him replayed over and over again. It was disconcerting and disturbing to her, even though she knew it was transference on her part. He was so kind. He could not be in love with her. But it didn’t matter, her feelings overruled her common sense. She was starting to fall for him.
Jennifer did her best to push aside those lingering feelings. “According to Winter’s friend in Toronto, Aaron was a bit wild and stubborn. I’m sure Mr. Wisener had plans for Aaron. Aaron had plans for his own life and that life included Winter. He turned his back on his father, just as his father did to him. When he died, his father would have been listed as next of kin.”
“So Aaron’s father didn’t know about Winter because Aaron wanted it that way?” Regina asked.
“Exactly. When I told him about Winter he was full of remorse, then a
cceptance. He wants the best for her and his grandchild.”
“When do you expect to hear from him?”
“Within a couple of days.”
“In that case, shall we arrange for a visit with Winter this morning? She might be responsive to us, we haven’t seen her for a few days.”
“Let’s do that.”
“I’ll get back to you in a bit, soon as I call the shelter,” Regina said.
Jennifer hung up, went downstairs to the front office and sat. The funeral home felt empty without staff. She wanted them back. Leaning her head back against the chair and closing her eyes, Jennifer pictured the night before and the feeling she got when John touched her. She played the evening over in her head again.
Abruptly she sat up, her feet hitting the floor hard. Stop it, she told herself. You are naive, just like John said. And you’re just being foolish.
A text cheeped. It was Regina, letting her know she’d meet Jen at the shelter in half an hour.
So who is the Officer-du-jour? she thought as she headed to the lounge.
It was empty.
She went through the selection room to the garage. No one. Maybe he is in the washroom, I’ll check the emails and wait for him. She went to her office.
With ten minutes to go before she was to meet Regina, Jennifer’s concern grew. She looked out the chapel window and the front window. It was quiet.
Plucking the keys for the car from the rack in the garage she called Detective Sergeant Gillespie. It went to voice mail.
“It’s Jennifer, I have a meeting at the shelter. I’m heading out alone, there seems to be no one here. I hope everything is OK.”
She disconnected the call and made sure she was organized. She hesitated at the door, torn between her need to see Winter and her responsibility to the team of officers charged with her care. She did not want another reprimand or, heaven help her, kidnapping. But the choice was clear, she had to see Winter.
Closing the garage door, she quickly walked to the car. As she drove out of the lot her heart thumped wildly. It wasn’t like the officers not to notify her of a change in plans. She watched her mirrors carefully but saw no one following her.
At the shelter, Jennifer stood on the porch, aware of her vulnerability. She put her back against the wall and tried to blend into the building. The street was quiet. The slightest noise made her jump. Regina pulled in a few minutes later and Jennifer breathed a sigh of relief. She had checked her phone twice as she stood there, hoping she had missed a text from Warren, or Stuart or Jim. Nothing.
I can’t think about that now, her Scarlett O’Hara voice played in her head. If I do, I shall go crazy. She shook it off. How could she be so frivolous at a time like this? Maybe it’s a way of denying reality. She didn’t want to think the worst—couldn’t bring herself to.
Regina smiled at Jennifer as she came up the steps. “After we meet with Winter, would you like to be part of the conversation with the psychologist? I’d like to update him on her situation.”
“Sure.”
As they signed in, Jennifer checked her phone again and, seeing nothing new, put it in meeting mode.
The worker led them to the sitting room. “I’ll let Winter know you’re here,” she said.
Regina and Jennifer sat in silence as they waited. As Winter came to the entrance, both concerned women were startled. She was unkempt, her hair messy, and it looked like she’d slept in her clothes. The worker caught their gaze before she turned to leave. They could tell she felt the same way—Winter was not doing well.
“Hi Winter,” Jennifer said pleasantly. Winter looked at her with dull eyes and expressionless face, just like she’d been on the escarpment. Jennifer rose and walked the few steps to her.
“Winter, are you OK? You look tired.” Winter nodded. Jennifer touched her arm gently and led her to a chair, then sat close to her.
“You OK?” Winter asked, her response surprising the two women.
Jennifer considered her answer carefully.
“I am OK, Winter. Just OK though, I’ve had a few rough days. It’s getting better.”
Again Winter nodded affirmatively. Jennifer wasn’t sure if she’d processed those words or if she was responding just to be pleasant. She got the feeling that Winter had understood. The girl’s response validated that.
“Me too.”
“Chaplain Regina and I are doing our best to make sure that things are going to turn around for you. We hope to have an answer for you in a few days about Aaron.”
This time Winter made eye contact with Jennifer, then Regina. There was a spark of light behind the dullness.
“Promise?”
“We promise,” Jennifer said. Winter needed answers and she would have them soon.
Winter then rose and left the room. Jennifer and Regina looked at each other, surprised at the turn of events. At the front desk they signed out and left the building.
“That was positive. I’m cautiously optimistic,” Regina said.
“Are you able to make the call from the funeral home to the psychologist?” Jennifer asked as she checked her phone. Again, nothing. She bit her lower lip.
“Sure. Is something wrong?”
“I hope not. I’m not supposed to leave the funeral home without protection. No one was there when I came downstairs this morning. I can’t reach the team.”
“You drove here alone?”
“I did. I think I’d better get back. I’m not comfortable breaking protocol.”
“Then let’s motor,” Regina’s concern obvious.
The funeral home lot was empty when they pulled in. Jennifer parked near the garage door and checked the outside lock for signs of tampering. It was clean. She and Regina walked to the front door and Jennifer let them in. The funeral home was ominously quiet.
“It’s creepy,” Regina said. “It’s never felt creepy when I’ve been here before, but for some reason it just feels off.”
“Let’s leave. We can take your car and go to Tim Horton’s for coffee. I’ll keep trying to reach Detective Sergeant Gillespie.”
The two of them left quietly and went to Regina’s car.
The coffee shop was busy, but they found a spot in the corner. Jennifer set her phone on the table, willing it to ring or cheep with a text.
“I’m going to text Marcia, see if she knows anything. She got a funeral with Brent shortly.”
Jennifer sent Marcia a text asking her how things were. Marcia responded immediately.
Good, everything on track. Brent & I will stop by for coffee after funeral.
Great.
Jennifer was determined to put the matter behind her and focus on the matter at hand. “Winter’s responses surprised me today. I think she needs an answer, any answer. I just wish it wasn’t about Aaron’s death.”
“I’m not sure I share your optimism about Mr. Wisener. But I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt until proven otherwise. I haven’t even met him yet and I’m judging him.”
“You’re protecting Winter, like everyone is right now. She deserves nothing less.”
Regina nodded. They finished their coffee in silence.
“Let’s go to the car and call Winter’s doctor,” Regina advised.
In the car Regina asked the psychologist, Dr. Janssen, if Jennifer could join the conversation. Once confirmed, she put her phone on speaker.
“Jennifer and I met with Winter this morning, with surprising success. Jennifer also met with Mr. Wisener last night, a potentially positive meeting.”
“Really? I’m pleased to hear that. What happened?”
Jennifer thought Winter’s psychologist, Dr. Janssen, sounded rather young. She’d expected an older person.
Regina went through the entire short conversation they had with Winter.
“Well, that is an interesting development. Jennifer, can you tell me what’s going on with Mr. Wisener?”
“I expect to hear from him in the next few days. He was devastated when he he
ard about Winter, he had no idea Aaron got married. He admitted he was at fault for severing ties with his son and was keen to make amends. But ...” she hesitated.
“But what?” the psychologist encouraged.
“Winter needs to know Aaron is dead. Who is going to tell her?”
“I agree with you, she does need to know. Perhaps we could see if Mr. Wisener could break the news to her. I’d suggest that you and Regina try be there if he agrees to meet Winter.”
“Both of us will be there if Mr. Wisener is comfortable with it,” Regina confirmed. “Jennifer says he’s getting his security team to verify the story.”
“Security team? You can’t mean the Wisener as in owner of half a dozen major corporations?”
“Yes, that Wisener,” Jennifer said.
Dr. Janssen let out a low whistle.
“John will come through sooner rather than later,” she said. “He’s a man of his word.”
“This is a significant development. Let’s hope it has a good outcome. Winter’s well-being and future depends on it. Anything else Regina?”
“No. Jennifer?”
“You may get a call from Mr. Wisener’s office soon. They’re very efficient.”
“Thanks for the heads up, and the encouraging news. Have a good day.” He disconnected. Regina and Jennifer looked at each other.
“Now what?” Regina asked.
“Back to the funeral home. I’m going to keep trying to reach the team.”
“You sure?”
“I’m sure.”
A few minutes later Regina pulled up to the front door, leaned over, and gave Jennifer a hug. “Let me know when you hear from Mr. Wisener.”
“I will, thanks Regina.”
Jennifer put her key in the front door and watched as Regina pulled out of the parking lot. She heard the car rumble down the street. The neighbourhood was quiet, with only the birds chirping. Pulling out her key, she walked slowly around the exterior of the building, checking the garage door and windows for any signs of tampering.
Going back to the front, she made a decision to take control and face her fear. Unlocking the door, she moved with purpose over the threshold, determined not to let the empty funeral home scare her. She didn’t like leaving the door locked during business hours and the morning was half over. She had to shake off her discomfort.
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