The Old Man's Request by Joab Stieglitz

Author:Joab Stieglitz [Stieglitz, Joab]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rantings of a Wandering Mind
Published: 2018-11-03T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 9

June 20, 1929

“You look awful,” Anna said with concern in her face. She had met O’Malley on College Street outside the library. Dark bags under his eyes gave testament to his intense study in the small, dark cell, which had consumed most of the day.

“Dr. Feldman is quite thorough in his exit interview,” the priest replied with evident fatigue.

When he had gleaned as much as he thought he would from Inviolati Conditori Pueri and Travelers from Beyond, O’Malley had pressed the button to summon Dr. Feldman. The antiquarian then detained him for another hour while he read over the priest’s notebooks, including the notes he had written in the past. Eventually, the antiquarian nodded and returned them to the priest and they exited the cell together.

“What do you say to a cup of coffee, and perhaps a slice of pie?” He gave her a weak smile.

“Of course,” the anthropologist replied. She glanced at her watch. It was almost 5:30. The Tihkoosue Club was a cafe on the water just south of the marina two blocks away. It was a sunny, pleasant afternoon. They could get a table overlooking the water and enjoy the warm breeze. “How about the Tihkoosue Club for an early dinner?”

“I am a bit peckish,” the priest said, acknowledging his rumbling stomach. “That sounds wonderful.”

✦

“Hey there, doc,” Jack Barnes said with a sly smile and a wink to Anna as they approached the hostess’ podium. “I’ll take care of these two, Annette.” The pretty blond in the gold evening gown smiled, nodded, and held out two menus to the restaurateur. “Right this way,” he said, putting his arm around Anna’s waist. “Harry’s already here.”

The dark-haired man in the tuxedo led them through the dining room to the terrace. There sat Dr. Lamb at a shaded table looking out over the lake absently. On the table before him was a tall glass of brown liquid. Barnes showed them to the table and pulled out the chair for Anna. The sound of the chair on the floor returned the doctor from his thoughts.

“Another ‘Canadian Iced Tea,’ doc?” Lamb glanced at his empty glass and nodded. His face was drawn. Noticing the new arrivals for the first time, he gave them a distracted smile. Jack glanced from Lamb to Anna to O’Malley. “I’ll bring one for each of you,” he said and walked away.

“What’s happened?” O’Malley asked the doctor.

“Jason Longborough passed away this afternoon.” Lamb sighed. “We all knew it was coming, but you’re never prepared when it does.” Anna took his hand in hers. “He seemed to be doing better yesterday, and then he had the conversation with the three of us. After that, he started fading.” He shook his head. “I should have been there.”

“Was there nothing more you could have done?” Anna asked. She had intended to be supportive, but the doctor’s scowl told her otherwise.

“His heart was weak, and his lungs and liver were damaged from all the smoking and drinking over the years,” Lamb said with an irritated tone.

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