The Shadow of Suspicion (The Emilie Loring Romances) by Emilie Loring

Author:Emilie Loring [Loring, Emilie]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Lume Books
Published: 2019-06-20T00:00:00+00:00

XI

In the firelighted gameroom shadows drifted across the pine walls. Night noises came through the closed windows. Julie lay back in her chair, feeling drained and depleted by yesterday’s tragedy, a night of strain, and the impact of Captain Holt of the State Troopers on the superintendents and their wives. It seemed to her that Don had been the only person relieved by the arrival of the authorities. The others were afraid.

Clarisse huddled close to her husband. Wheeler was his normal self, the what-a-big-boy-am-I swagger was in full force. Earlier Julie had heard sharp words from the Wheeler room but now the couple was giving an impression of devotion. Julie wondered how much of their attitude of marital happiness was the result of Wheeler’s curt commands to his wife. Apparently he was anxious to convince Captain Holt that there was no cause for jealousy between him and Clarisse, that they were completely and happily absorbed in one another.

Florence Keane sat alone, her somber eyes on her husband’s face. Charlie Keane was shuffling cards for his eternal game of solitaire. Earlier, Aunt Deb had talked to him for a long time, speaking in a low tone. Julie had heard little of that conversation but she had gathered that Aunt Deb was talking about what different creatures men and women were; how women needed to be reassured that they were loved and that they were often too proud to let the man they loved see their unhappiness.

“Sometimes,” Julie had heard her say at one point, “I think half the broken marriages could be saved by honest speaking from the heart. When you consider all the misunderstandings that grow out of mistaken reticence—I remember once …” She had laughed a little and launched into a gay story of a ludicrous misunderstanding with her beloved Jim. It was a good story and Charlie Keane had laughed outright when she finished it.

Julie smiled to herself. Darling Aunt Deb! Her own happiness was nothing but memories now, but she didn’t surrender to her grief; she was trying to patch up the precarious happiness of others.

Hugh Gordon had curled up at Julie’s feet; every now and then he tilted back his curly head to smile at her but, like the others, he could not bring himself to break the silence that hung heavily over the room.

Don Bruce was in the office with Captain Holt; the other men—photographer, fingerprint man, doctor—had gone some time before. Aunt Deb came in and the men got to their feet.

“Supper is delayed again,” she said in a tone of resignation. “I don’t know what’s got into Carrie. I do hope you aren’t starving.”

Julie rose to her feet. “I’ll help her,” she offered.

“Just a moment, Miss Ames.”

Captain Holt stood in the doorway. “I’d like to ask you a few questions, if I may, and then”—his smile lighted his tired face—“then you can help with the cooking.”

Mrs. Blaine protested quickly, “My niece arrived only yesterday morning, Captain. She didn’t know anyone here. She can’t possibly be involved.

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