The Wolseley stopped in front of 29 Edgestone Road. A woman weeding and planting in one of the front flowerbeds stopped what she was doing and looked up. It had been a long time since Collier had either spoken to or seen Louise Moodie. Still, he knew this was the woman. Taking in a deep breath, he let it out slowly and sat back in his seat. At one time its grounds stood alone and stretched as far as the eye could see no matter where I stood. He peered through the windows. The grandiose dwelling’s pores once oozed with majesty and pomp. His eyes took in the building’s chinked outer skin, snarled in unkempt vine, sadly heralding lustre vanquished. He sat up and rested his arms along the backseat. The street they were parked on was in a residential neighbourhood packed with housing. Briefly, he reflected on a time when it had been a long, winding tree-lined drive carved through the fields to her home.
He exited the vehicle. Exuberant sounds of children at the school grounds were refreshing to his ears. There’s something soulfully cleansing and hopeful about their playful sounds.
“Inspector?”
“Ah? Yes, Captain Hall?” His gaze attended the route along which they had just traveled.
“Is there something wrong?” she inquired.
“I hope not, but I think we may have been followed.” He discretely nodded in the direction of a car several doors down. “It parked shortly after we arrived, and no one has exited.” He glanced at Captain Hall. “Maybe I should be asking you the same question?”
“I’ve been remiss, Inspector and should have told you. I spotted it shortly after we left the pub.”
“Should I check it out, Inspector?” Sergeant Snowden moved in the direction of the vehicle.
Captain Hall’s outstretched hand stopped him. “I think it better we carry on with our business. Don’t you agree, Inspector?”
“Can I assist you with anything?” Louise called through the iron-rod fence. Tilting her head toward the sign on the gate, she added, “As you can read, the museum is closed today.”
Collier glanced at Captain Hall and whispered, “Do you have any idea why Klaus Becker would have left the package here?” She shrugged. “We’re here on official business, Miss Moodie,” he shouted. “Captain, don’t you think, considering the uninvited visitors in that car back there, it might be wise to give me the rest of the code?”
“Planning for the worst, are you?”
“Let’s just call it hedging one’s bets.”
“I recognize that voice. Official business, is it? What kind of official business would you be up after all these years, Sandy Collier?” chortled Louise, opening the gate and waiting for his arrival.
About to turn away, Captain Hall grabbed Collier’s arm. “The first five lockers touched only twice. That is, prime numbered lockers touched only twice.”
“Got it. You don’t trust many, do you?”
“I don’t trust anyone,” she retorted with a cold stare. “The sergeant here should stand guard.”
Collier nodded and could see that the sergeant agreed.
“Nothing’s changed.” Louise ushered them through the opened gate.
“Louise, everything’s changed.” Collier was astonished by her remark.
“I meant—” She dropped what she was about to say. “Follow me, then.” She led them along a path to a nicely appointed patio at the rear of the building and encouraged them to sit at one of the wicker seating ensembles that had an umbrella. “If the sun’s bothersome, don’t hesitate.” She indicated the closed umbrella. “I’ll tidy up and join you. I won’t be long.”
She entered through a door that at one time only servants had used. There was a time she wouldn’t even think of doing that. Life takes curious twists and turns. A part of him wished he had stayed in touch, but he knew Lila would not have tolerated it. A tinge of sadness grabbed him when the door closed behind her. She appears to have adjusted well to her new station in life. He was surprised she was capable of such feat. At one time her family only entertained society’s elites. Privileged, entitlement was her norm. Now, I see none of that. Or is it a façade?
Twenty minutes later, she joined them carrying a tray of tea and goodies. She wore sandals and a flowered summer dress that rippled in the gentle breeze. This was in stark contrast to the boots, cover-all and headscarf under a wide rimmed hat she had worn earlier. As she approached, the sun’s rays danced off the golden sheen in her freshly groomed hair. Barely a wrinkle creased the delicately formed facial features. A pearl beaded necklace adorned her neck.
For a surreal moment, time stretched backwards. He could not take his eyes off her.
She placed the tray on the table in front of them and sat on the wicker loveseat opposite. “I made those.” She proudly pointed to the cakes on the plate. “I guess a lot has changed, wouldn’t you say, Sandy?”
“Gardening, too, I thought you’d be the last—”
“I know, the last to be caught dead doing such a thing. Me too. But my gardener got up and quit before Christmas. As it turns out, I rather enjoy doing it. I see you haven’t lost that boyish smile of yours.”
Feeling self-conscious, he squirmed slightly in his chair. A quick glance at Captain Hall assured him her attention was elsewhere. “Thank you, Louise. It’s nice to know that element of my youth still resides. Lately, when I look in the mirror, I don’t see much of it left.” She smiled and nodded knowingly.
“Its been a long time Sandy.” For a moment, she said nothing and just stared at him. “If you don’t mind, let’s cut out the small talk and get to why you’re here. You said earlier it was official business.”
Captain Hall shifted her chair forward. “Klaus Becker, how do you know him?”
For a moment, Louise’s gaze shifted between them. “It’s best that I show you. Come inside.”
They followed her along a narrow hallway past a washroom and bedroom, until she entered an open area cluttered with living room and kitchen paraphernalia.
Puzzled, he stopped “Did you see where she went?” He and Captain Hall glanced at each other in disbelief as they surveyed the room.
“I’d ask you to sit,” Louise called, “but I think you’d need a map to find your way in and out of this labyrinth of furniture and whatnots. Stay where you are, I won’t be long.”
“I think—her voice came from somewhere over there.” Captain Hall chuckled, pointing to the right. “Did you know she was a hoarder?”
Shaking his head, he surveyed the litter. “I hope the vault is easily accessible.”
“Me, too, otherwise—” she whispered.
“Don’t go there.”
Louise’s hand, waving some papers, appeared from behind a wall of mahogany furniture and Indian rugs waving some papers. “Got it!”
When she joined them, she handed Collier a dog-eared old photo. “As you can see that’s me and my brother Reginald. Do you recognize the person beside him in uniform?”
Collier took the photo for closer scrutiny then handed it to Captain Hall. “No, I’m afraid I don’t. Should I?”
Captain Hall returned the photo to her “I’m not surprised,” Louise said. “Quite dashing, don’t you think? I had a big crush on him then. That’s Klaus Becker except I knew him as Peter Townsend. Before my brother passed away he visited a lot. I guess that’s why Reginald did this.” She handed Collier a deed to the property in which her brother had signed over ownership to Townsend. “The week before Klaus—I mean Peter—died in that explosion he signed it back to me.” She handed him the second document. “Now that surprised me. Mind you, our home had long since been turned into a museum and not much of the original property remained. As you can see,” she continued, sheepishly, “I saved as much as I thought prudent to preserve the Moodie legacy.”
“Is there a vault or safe on your premises?”
“In the museum section. But, why, Sandy, do you need to know that?”
“Do you have access?” Captain Hall asked.
“Not to the safe but I do to the museum. It’s in the Co-ordinator’s Office. My key opens both.”
“Would you mind getting it and giving it to Captain Hall?”
A mischievous smirk appeared on her face. “It’s right here tucked warmly and safely between my peaks.” She undid her necklace and slid off the key.
When Captain Hall left with the key, Louise turned to Collier. “Do you mind?” she asked holding out her necklace.
“This is the one—.”
“You bought me,” she finished. “You appear surprised.”
“I guess in a way I am. Turn around so I can put it on you. I’ve never been very good at clasping these things.” He fumbled a few times before being successful. I paid a year’s shilling for this.
“I still have every present you bought me.” She turned and stared into his eyes. “Sandy, what happened to us?”
“Me. Lila. Everything. Do you remember telling me ‘focus on what you love doing, the rest will follow’?”
“I do. Out on that patio in the loveseat.”
“What I wanted to do wasn’t what you or your family wanted me to do.” He took her hands. “And, you didn’t see it. Or, didn’t want to see it. How could I have expected anything different?” He sighed and let go of her hand. “Like all youth, you were rebellious against your family. As was I against mine. We were just instruments in each other’s flight to independence. Our love, our infatuation, was its vehicle.” Movement outside the window distracted him. “Are you expecting someone?” His mind raced to the vehicle that had followed him. She shook her head. “Stay here! Do you hear me? Lock the door behind me.” He turned and ran down the hall toward the exit that led onto the patio. Captain Hall’s voice yelled his name from inside the house. He had no time to react. The pain in his head was crippling. And he fell, uncontrollably, into a dark, inky deep well.