The Silver Shadow by Liz Tolsma

Author:Liz Tolsma [Tolsma, Liz]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781643528366
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2021-05-14T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

As the two women stood in the interrogation room’s doorway, Polly grabbed Amelia by the elbow to ensure that both of them would remain upright. Dust motes floated on the weak winter sunshine that streamed through the window high in the far wall. A man sat behind a long desk. Edwin stood to one side.

The entire office reeked of smoke and strong coffee. From somewhere behind her, a telephone rang. Then another one. A chilly draft crept up her skirts, and she shivered.

As she stared at the suspect who squirmed in his wooden chair, Polly’s breath hitched. Beside her, Amelia gasped.

Edwin nodded. “I know this might be a shock and quite traumatic. But take a good look at him. Don’t rush to any conclusions. We want you to be absolutely sure of your answer. Is this the man who attacked you, Amelia?”

Beside her, Amelia trembled. Polly swallowed hard.

As if she’d dropped down a well, all noise around her dimmed. The light narrowed until it spotlighted the suspect.

The man on the chair across the table bore a striking resemblance to the descriptions Polly had heard from the victims. He was small, hardly taller than she was, just like the man from the department store. His complexion was so fair he must work in a cave or something. Perhaps he was a silver prospector in a mine. And he did have a scar.

At first sight, Polly might say this was the culprit, the man they had been searching for since August. Five long months. By declaring him to be the man she saw in the alley, she could bring this case to a close. What a story she would have to write.

The temptation lingered for a moment in her heart.

But it wouldn’t be true.

She honestly had no idea.

She turned to Amelia, who had faced her. Unspoken words passed between them in a raise of Amelia’s eyebrows and a slight shake of Polly’s head.

“I—” The word squeaked from Amelia’s throat, and then she straightened. “I don’t know why you continue to call me in. I didn’t see his face. I’m not ever going to be able to identify him, even if you find the true culprit.” Her voice broke.

Edwin’s shoulders sagged. “Are you sure about that?”

“Positive. I’m sorry. I truly am. With all my heart, I wish I could tell you if this is the man who attacked me. I just can’t.”

Edwin focused on Polly. “What about you?”

“I’m swimming in the same stream as Amelia. I want this to be over so the streets are safe. But I couldn’t tell you if this was the man or not. I came mostly to support Amelia. I’ve only ever seen the Shadow’s back.”

From the corner, Detective Armstrong, whom Polly hadn’t seen right away, glared at them. “Take another look.” His words were sharp. “Be absolutely sure. Because I’m positive this is our suspect. This is the man who attacked you, Miss Price. Sometimes women don’t remember things correctly. Or they become easily confused. The fright of that night may be clouding your memory.

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