Of Night and Dark Obscurity

He brushed down his pants and returned to his horse and buggy, only turning back once to look at the dead girl lying at the foot of the tree. He smiled. She was perfect.

Chapter 4

Val knocked on the door twice. He was about to leave when Caroline opened the door looking flushed and out of breath. He almost forgot why he was there as he gazed into her sweet face with her expressive hazel eyes.

“Inspector.” She greeted him.

“Miss Derry. May I come in?”

She motioned for him to enter and she closed the door behind him. The quietness of the townhouse enveloped them.

“Have you come to see my Father? I’m afraid he’s at the college lecturing. My grandmother is also out paying calls. You find me all alone,” she explained as she entered the parlor.

He looked around the room decorated in dark red and browns. It was a comfortable room with a couch before the fire and a small bar. Several book shelves lined the wall and windows overlooked a small garden.

“Did you want something to drink? Tea or coffee?” She asked. “There’s the bar if you prefer something stronger.”

“No. Nothing for me. Well yes. Maybe tea.” He changed his mind.

Caroline smiled. “Tea it is.” She left momentarily to tell the Cook to prepare tea for two and then returned to him. “It will only be a few minutes. Shall we sit?”

He watched her move about the room and felt instantly drawn to her. She looked cool and feminine in a blue striped cotton gauze day dress that emphasized her slender frame and wheat-colored hair. She took a seat on the small couch.

“Your father sent me a note. Your sister did not return home,” he explained.

Caroline looked down at her hands. “No. She did not.”

“It doesn’t mean the worst,” he said coming to sit beside her.

“Doesn’t it?” She asked.

“No. There could be many reasons she’s not here. Perhaps she is in a hospital, but is unable to tell them her real name so we don’t know she’s there. Or she has sought shelter with a family from an accident. We just don’t know.”

Caroline nodded. “She could be those things. And she could be much worse.”

Val noticed for the first time she appeared tired. She had probably not slept well. He imagined it would not be easy to sleep knowing your sister was not under the same roof. She was most likely trying to think of where her sister could be and hoping she would be home safe very soon.

A knock on the front door sounded and Caroline excused herself to answer it. When she returned, Sergeant Felix was behind her.

“Sergeant?” Val questioned.

“I’m sorry to interrupt Sir. I was told you would be here,” his eyes glanced at Caroline and then back at Val.

“It’s quite all right, Sergeant. What brings you here?” Val asked.

Felix glanced again at Caroline and then back to his boss. “I need to speak to you Sir. Alone.”

Val nodded. “Would you please excuse us for a moment? We can go into the foyer,” he told Felix.

“I’ll see what’s keeping the tea.” She disappeared down the hallway.

She made her way down the long hallway and then turned right into the kitchen. She found Cook pouring the steaming water into the tea pot and the kitchen maid placing the iced cookies onto a plate.

“Thank you Cook. I’ll need another cup and saucer and then I’ll take it in myself,” she directed.

“Very good Miss,” the Cook said.

Carrying the tray along the hallway, she entered the front parlor and smiled as both men turned to her.