Winter's Mourning

by Janice J. Richardson

  Walking down the hallway she turned on all the lights, even the ones in the suites. She did the same for the office and lounge.

  “That’s better.”

  She was still feeling little unsettled so she went to her office to work on her business course. Unable to concentrate, Jennifer logged out and played solitaire, then backgammon. It was nearly noon before she heard the front door open and Marcia and Brent’s voices. She exhaled with relief.

  “Hi guys, how did it go?” she asked as they entered the lounge.

  Marcia giggled. “I shouldn’t laugh, but one of the pallbearers, a young guy, got distracted and tripped. He wasn’t hurt. I wouldn’t be laughing if he had, but he was so embarrassed he let go of the casket and ran off.

  Brent was laughing too. “All he said was ‘I am so done with this’ and he was gone. Marcia stepped in and they got the casket to the grave, continuing as if nothing had happened. A minute or so later we heard his motor revving and tires squealing. He took off, skidding and sliding. Other than that little bit of drama, everything went well.”

  “We brought lunch,” said Marcia. “Where’s your officer?”

  “I have no idea. Did you hear from Ryan this morning?”

  “No, come to think of it, I didn’t.” She looked at Jennifer in alarm.

  “I called the station this morning, left a voicemail. I didn’t text anyone, maybe I should have,” Jennifer said. “I wasn’t sure which one was on duty.”

  Brent broke the awkward silence, “Let’s have lunch. I’m sure you’ll hear soon. I can spend the afternoon here if no one shows up.”

  “Thanks Brent. It’s boring, not much to do.”

  “I have plenty of books on the app on my phone, and you are good company. We can talk about Williams and the direction you want it to go.” He got the food ready. Marcia was texting Ryan so Jennifer asked what everyone wanted to drink.

  Brent and Jennifer did their best to keep the conversation going; Marcia was very quiet. Jennifer knew her friend was concerned.

  They’d barely finished their meal when they heard the front door open. Brent rose to check. Jennifer heard a murmur of conversation, and it was a few minutes before Brent entered the lounge with Detective Sergeant Gillespie. One look at his face was enough for Marcia. She was at his side in a flash.

  He turned to her and swept her into his arms. Brent caught Jennifer’s eye and nodded toward the lobby. Jennifer slipped out quietly and walked to the front office with Brent. His face was solemn.

  “Warren, one of your officers, is dead. Ryan got your message this morning and tried to reach him—without success. Sent someone to his apartment. Apparently he died in his sleep.”

  Jennifer sank into the closest chair. “He was so young. How could that happen?”

  “He’s my age,” a sober Brent said. “Ryan came by to tell you. He called Williams, Desta told him we were here. He asked if we could transfer Warren to the hospital for an autopsy, it’s a coroner’s call now.”

  Jennifer struggled not to cry. “You and I can do the transfer. I’ll check the van. Would you let Ryan know and get the address from him?”

  “Of course.”

  With a heavy heart Jennifer entered the garage and doubled-checked the van. She sat on the passenger side, waiting for Brent. Neither of them spoke on the way to pick up Officer Warren; the news of his death left them both shaken.

  At the apartment, Officer Stuart opened the door. Jennifer looked at his stricken face as he stepped aside so they could enter with the stretcher. No words were exchanged; it wasn’t a time to speak. Stuart led them to the bedroom where Warren lay peacefully on his back in bed. He looked as if he were asleep. One of the officers had fixed the bed neatly.

  Brent quietly prepared the stretcher as Jennifer moved over to Officer Stuart. He put his arm around her shoulders. She leaned into him and reciprocated. When Jennifer saw that Brent was prepared she stepped in. Officer Stuart stopped her. “May I?”

  “Of course.”

  She stepped back and the two men transferred Warren to the stretcher, zipped it up, and proceeded to the front door. Stuart locked the door and helped Brent wheel his friend to the van. He watched as Brent put the stretcher in and closed the van door, then he silently walked away. Jennifer felt the lump in her throat grow as she struggled to maintain a level of professionalism.

  “That was a tough one,” said Brent as they drove to the hospital. “I’m so sorry Jennifer. I know how much you appreciate and respect your protection team.”

  “It doesn’t seem real, except that it hurts terribly, so it is real.”

  Jennifer went through the procedures at the hospital in a daze, and when Brent finally backed the van into the garage, she slid out and automatically prepared the vehicle for the next call. Brent waited until she finished and then the two of them entered the lounge. Marcia and Ryan were sitting quietly.

  “I should get back,” said Brent, glancing at Jennifer for confirmation of the change of plans.

  “I’ll go with you,” Marcia said. “Ryan needs to talk to Jennifer.” She leaned over and kissed Ryan’s cheek softly.

  Brent turned to Detective Sergeant Gillespie and offered his hand. Ryan grasped it firmly. “I’m at a loss for words Ryan,” his voice broke. “You lost a good man today.”

  Ryan nodded, the two men maintained eye contact in silence before Ryan let go. Marcia hugged Jennifer, then she and Brent went back to Williams. Jennifer heard the front door close behind them.

  “Ryan,” she started, then as she looked at him his tears, which had been held back too long, released. She waited, silent tracts of grief tracked down her cheeks too.

  “I know, Jennifer. It’s too much to bear for all of us.” When he felt he could speak without a tremor belying his grief, he turned to her, “He was a good officer. I was proud to have him on my team. I spoke with his parents this morning. They asked that the funeral be here, at Spencer’s. They asked what he’d been doing at work and I told them about you. They know the autopsy is pending. They’ll call in the next day or so.”

  “He wasn’t married?”

  “Bachelor. He has a sister and his parents. His friends were the team. We had some good times together.”

  Ryan, lost in his own thoughts, grew silent. Eventually Jennifer rose and went to the kitchen.

  “Do you want coffee or tea Ryan?”

  “Tea, please. No milk.”

  She worked silently, placed the tea on the table beside them and sat down.

  “We will be co-ordinating a police funeral with you,” said Ryan.

  Jennifer nodded. It wasn’t the first one she’d done; there’d been several in Toronto. This one would be much harder though, she knew too many of the mourners.

  “I also need to apologize to you. I should have sent a uniform officer to stay with you today.”

  “No harm.”

  “After giving Sue such a hard time, I dropped the ball. I’m sorry.”

  “Like I told Sue, it took three men to replace her,” Jennifer’s voice choked. “Three good men.”

  Fresh tears fell one after another. She didn’t look at Ryan. She didn’t need to, they wept together. When that wave of grief subsided, he spoke again.

  “I have something else to tell you. There will be a joint operation in the next few days. A number of Travis’ people were identified by the Wisener team—his office faxed more information to us. Our crew is part of the regional sweep. One of the suspects is your bank manager.” Jennifer furrowed her brows. They’d suspected as much earlier.

  “The OPP will be working with the RCMP to simultaneously pick up ‘Doug’, who is a big player, and the officer at the station up north. There are two other officers in that area, as well as a number of small time players on the list. There are six or seven, I forget the exact number of businessmen and politicians in this region, that’ll be swept up the day after. A tactical team will hit Travis’ hideaway at first light the day after tomorrow.”

&nbs
p; He stopped talking and stared into space. Time had little meaning for either of them. Eventually he spoke again. “Wisener saved us months of work. We’re indebted to him.”

  His phone cheeped. He looked down at it.

  “Officer Jim will be here for the night. He insists.”

  Jennifer’s heart swelled at the thought of Officer Jim taking his shift. It would not be easy for the gentle man; he responded deeply to other’s hurt. He wasn’t afraid to show or share his emotions.

  Jennifer checked her phone. It was after 5 p.m.

  “Ryan, why don’t you go. Marcia’s waiting for you.”

  Detective Sergeant Gillespie looked at her as if he was seeing her for the first time that day. Jennifer internalized the fatigue and pain in his eyes.

  “Go, I’ll lock up.”

  He rose slowly and painfully, like an old man. She walked him to the door where he swept her up in a crushing hug, surprising her. He’d always been all business and efficiency around her.

  “I’m so sorry Ryan,” she said softly. “Warren was too young.”

  He released her, nodded, and left. Jennifer locked the door and leaned up against it, a fresh wave of tears overcoming her as she thought of Ryan and the team. It was a terrible time for all of them.

  Where did you learn to drive like that?

  She looked around, startled. It took her a few seconds to realize that in her grief she thought she’d heard Warren’s voice. She remembered how quickly he’d moved to protect her at his own peril and she sank to the floor of her funeral home, full-blown sobs wracking her body. When she could cry no longer she forced herself up.

  She went upstairs, fed Grimsby and baked some cookies. If Officer Jim was comfortable with the idea she’d bring him upstairs for the evening. He’d be doing a twelve-hour shift and she wanted to look after him.

  She wasn’t hungry. She didn’t want supper so she sat with Grimsby in her arms, interrupted only when the answering service called. It was Warren’s father. Grimsby slipped free and moved to the back of the couch while she spoke with him about Warren’s death and funeral. The police had assigned a liaison officer to work with them over the next few days. Warren sounded just like his father, she thought as she discussed the funeral arrangements with him. She promised to phone once Warren was released.

  “Call me anytime you have a question,” she said as they disconnected. Checking her watch, she went downstairs and waited until Officer Jim unlocked the front door. As he entered she look at him closely.

  “Are you OK?” were the first words out of his mouth. How like him to think of others.

  “No, are you?”

  He shook his head. “No.”

  “Are you comfortable with the idea of going up to the apartment and talking there?”

  “That’s very kind of you.”

  She walked ahead of him and up to the apartment. He sat on the couch, she moved to the chair close by. Grimsby looked up from his spot at the back of the couch and jumped down onto the cushions moving to Officer Jim’s side, purring.”

  “Have you eaten?” she asked.

  “I can’t.” He stroked Grimsby’s ears.

  “Me either. Would you like tea, coffee? I baked cookies.”

  “Tea and cookies. That’s perfect.” Jennifer prepared their tea then placed it on the table in front of them with the cookies. She wasn’t sure how to bring up the subject of Warren’s death. She felt the need to get the conversation going.

  “When did you hear about Warren?”

  “I was at home. Stuart called me. I came right in. The whole team was there, except Stuart and the DS. By then they’d gone to Warren’s apartment. It was the toughest day I have had in years, and I expect it was the same for the rest of the team.”

  He looked at her.

  “We let you down.”

  “Jim, if I hear that one more time from you or Ryan I’ll, I’ll ... well, I don’t know what I’ll do. Just stop it.”

  He laughed, and the sound lifted a little of the sadness from the room. He spent the next few hours talking about Warren and their years together.

  “More tea? Cookies?” Jennifer asked.

  “Absolutely. Which reminds me, I have something to tell you.”

  Jennifer busied herself in the kitchen then brought the tea to the living area. “What’s up? How can cookies trigger a reminder?”

  “I’m going to work for the Wisener team,” Jim said. “You are the first to know.”

  She nearly dropped the teapot.

  “You’re leaving the force? The Wisener team? Wow Jim, that’s incredible. When? How did that happen?”

  “I can’t resign until after the funeral. I have to see that through. I qualify for my pension, although my new salary is way more than I need.”

  “It happened so fast. Wow.”

  “I have you to thank for it. If you hadn’t persisted in finding Winter’s family, if you hadn’t needed protection, then I wouldn’t have met William, Mr. Wisener’s driver. He recruited me. I was interviewed by phone this morning and informed this afternoon.” He was sad for a few seconds. “They called just after I heard about Warren.”

  Jennifer’s phone rang. She excused herself and rose to answer it. She did not recognize the number.

  “Hello?” she said, tentatively.

  “Good evening Ms. Spencer. Mr. Wisener was wondering if you would be free for lunch tomorrow.” It was the same pleasant female who covered Mr. Wisener’s office in the evenings.

  Jennifer hesitated. It could only be about Winter. She needed to be there.

  “I am. I do have a police funeral to prepare for, but I can be available for an hour or so.”

  “Would 12:30 be acceptable?”

  “It would.”

  “Then we will send a car at twelve-fifteen. Thank you, Ms. Spencer. Have a good evening.”

  Jennifer disconnected, then walked to her chair and sat down. She looked at Officer Jim.

  “That was Mr. Wisener’s office. They’re picking me up at twelve-fifteen tomorrow. He must have the information he needs about Winter.” She shook her head. “That was fast.”

  “They do seem to move quickly. I just hope I can keep up. That’s one sharp team.”

  Jennifer smiled. “And they’re about to get a sharp new team member. They’re lucky to have you.”

  “I don’t need to go tomorrow do I?” asked Jim.

  “Nope. Unless of course, you want to have lunch with William.”

  “Naw, think I’ll pass. I’m on shift tomorrow night. I’m not sure if Stuart will be here tomorrow morning, he was pretty shaken up today.” He reached for another cookie. “Did the DS mention anything about Travis?”

  Jennifer hesitated.

  “Apparently, the information Mr. Wisener’s team provided was quite helpful.”

  “The DS told you about the round-up then?”

  “He did.”

  “You’re pretty good at keeping a confidence. You didn’t give anything away until I told you I knew. Maybe Mr. Wisener should hire you.”

  Jennifer laughed. “I’m a wimp, I don’t like security protocols, and I don’t need to follow VIP’s around. All that luxury makes me uneasy.”

  “Aww, you’d get used to it. It’s just stuff.” He laughed. “I’d hardly call you a wimp. I can still see you charging off to the car my first night on the job without a clue where you were going after enduring a kidnapping. You were like a little kid. You probably would have stamped your foot at me if it hadn’t hurt so much.”

  “I was an absolute brat,” said Jennifer laughing. “You put me in my place pretty quickly, with humour and kindness.” As the laughter died, she became sober again. “You guys are the best. My life has been richer because of it all.”

  “Warren, Stuart, Sue, the DS, we all respect you. I am so glad this is coming to a close. It’s almost over and you can move on.” He paused and looked at her seriously. “I have one more request before I head downstairs for the night.”

/>   “Of course.”

  “Can I have the rest of the cookies?”

  She burst out laughing and he joined in.

  “You can stay up here and watch TV,” she offered.

  “Naw, I’m on duty. I’m comfortable in the lounge.”

  “Alright then, I’ll get the cookies.” She collected the rest of the batch and gave them to him.

  “Good night, Jennifer,” he said as he closed the door.

  “Good night, Officer Jim.”

  She put the dishes in the sink, started her bath, and turned out most of the lights. It had been a terrible day, one of the worst she’d experienced. She only hoped that Mr. Wisener’s answer would help bring Winter’s mourning to the beginning of the end for her.

  18

  As Jennifer got ready for her day, she thought about Winter and the lunch meeting with Mr. Wisener. She put on her blue suit and, once Grimsby was fed and watered, went downstairs to have coffee. She could smell the fresh brew as she got close to the lounge.

  “Sue!” she exclaimed. Sue stood near the door, a smile on her face. The two of them hugged.

  “I heard you coming, I just poured your coffee.”

  “Thanks Sue.” Jennifer moved to her favourite chair.

  “I was sorry to hear about Warren,” Jennifer said. Sue’s head dropped.

  “It was a huge shock to all of us.”

  “How have you been?”

  “Good. Work is going well.”

  “I have to ask—are you and Haney still going out?”

  The look on Sue’s face answered the question. “Hard to believe I worked with him for several years and barely noticed him.”

  “Obviously Detective Sergeant Gillespie reconsidered your protection duty. It’s good to have you back.”

  Sue smiled. “The matter has been dropped. Nothing will be on my record. Tell me—how’s Winter? I’m sorry I wasn’t able to make the last visit.”

  “Winter needs answers sooner, rather than later. She’s regressed. I’ll be having lunch with Mr. Wisener today. I hope this means closure for Winter. The car will be here at twelve-fifteen. You and William, Mr. Wisener’s driver, will be having lunch together.”