Henry – Long Range Reconnaissance Honey Badger by Themistocles Jacks

Author:Themistocles Jacks
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: BookBaby
Published: 2019-12-23T16:59:03+00:00

Chapter 62

Miriam had never been inside Cecil’s house before and was unsure of what to expect. They entered through the kitchen door from the large covered porch that looked out over the plains and the mountains to the east. The house was larger than hers, but still modest in size. She was quite pleased to see that it was very neat, clean and organized.

“I designed this and had it built after the war. I had time off to recuperate, so I was able to supervise the crew Paddy Finn sent down to build it. Most of them still work for Paddy.”

Miriam was impressed with the quality and precision of the work. She thought of how building a house was similar to sewing a dress. Create an elegant design; choose proper materials appropriate to the design; measure twice, cut once; pay meticulous attention to details, and check your work.

She liked the design. It was efficient, yet spacious, with a sensible flow. And there were nice views from all the rooms. There was a good sized kitchen and dining area, a comfortable living room, and a wide hall leading to two bedrooms. The closer bedroom was large, and Cecil used it as his office and study. Bookshelves lined one wall. A large gun safe occupied one corner. His desk faced a double window. The farther bedroom was smaller and furnished spartanly with a dresser and a twin bed. At the end of the hall was the bathroom.

What startled her most was the artwork. There were framed drawings, watercolors and oils on every wall. There were birds and animals, landscapes and still lifes. And they were astonishingly good. She studied the artist’s signature.

“Inspector, did you do all these?”

“No, not all. The wood carvings of the manger in Bethlehem and the Crucifixion were done by an old fellow from up north.”

“Did you do all the others?”

“I did.”

“Dear Cecil, these are extraordinary! How long have you been an artist?”

“Thank you, mma,” he said. “I can’t remember a time when I didn’t draw. I went through a very brief period when I thought I would like to be a professional artist, but as I realized that I liked to eat on a regular basis, and sleep with a roof over my head, I quickly abandoned that notion.”

Miriam noticed a portfolio on Cecil’s desk. “May I look at these, inspector?”

“If you wish.”

It was a large portfolio and contained drawings of various sizes. The first was a large pencil drawing of Mac astride a charging Cape buffalo. His raised right arm brandished a battle ax, his left hand held the reins. His chest was bare, his massive muscles bulged, and his long hair flowed in the wind. He appeared to be laughing.

“Inspector, you captured Mac’s spirit perfectly!”

“Thank you, mma,” Cecil said. “It was not hard. Mac is a man of action. His strength is beyond belief, even for a man of six and a half feet and twenty stone. He fights when he is called upon to fight, and enjoys it.

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