Of Night and Dark Obscurity

Mr. Cypress’ ale arrived and he took it to h

is lips eagerly just as a third man entered.

“Greetings Mr. Basil,” said Mr. Sage smiling.

“Mr. Sage,” Basil said shaking his hand and nodding to Mr. Cypress. “I understand you had a productive and fruitful time of it.”

The man’s whiskey arrived and he nodded. “You are correct. I’ll wait until Mr. Willow arrives to describe it in exquisite detail.”

Two of the men took out their cigarette cases while Mr. Basil removed a pipe from his jacket. The three men sat in the darkened room surrounded by smoke and alcohol while the minutes ticked by. The gas lights on the wall sconces illuminated the room as Mr. Cypress waited for the fourth man to join them.

He had been anxious and delighted to be asked to join the group. He was not sure what to expect, only that his value and standing in the community would increase with the help of these men and their group.

Suddenly a fourth man joined them. He acknowledged everyone in the room and they in turn greeted him as Mr. Willow. He ordered a whiskey and took a plush chair facing the other men. The other men in the room seemed to give him deferential treatment and looked upon him with respect as the founding member.

“I couldn’t get away until now,” he explained and they nodded.

Mr. Basil spoke to the other men. “I understand our Mr. Sage has some news to share.”

All the men turned to look at him.

“Should we wait for Mr. Cedar?” Someone asked.

“No no. He’s late and it’s his own fault. So, Mr. Sage. You’ve news?” Mr. Basil asked.

“I do indeed. It was most exciting,” he said smiling widely.

“Then please share.” Mr. Basil said.

“Well I suppose I should begin at the beginning,” he said as the men all looked at him with eager eyes.

???

Felix and Val sat across from the girl named Nell Lewis who was a friend of Irene’s. She had sent them a cryptic note at the police office asking them to come visit her. They obliged and as the tea was being poured, she sat with her hands in her lap twisting a handkerchief.

“Miss Lewis. You sent us a note to come pay you a visit. We are here at your request,” Val said to the young woman, glancing over at her mother who was also in the room with them.

“Yes, I did.” She said looking about the room. “I did have something to tell you. I mean I do have something to tell you.”

Val nodded and then seemed to assess the situation. “Would you like your mother to leave us for a few minutes?”

The older woman who was sitting in the corner of the room blushed hotly. “I dare not, Sir!”

Nell said nothing and Val stood up. “Madam. This is a murder investigation. Please wait outside in the hallway until we are done.”

The older woman glanced angrily at the detectives and then left the room. Nell appeared relieved.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

Val nodded to her. “I understand. Now why don’t you tell us why we’re here?” He said, bringing out his little notebook with pencil in hand.

She took a deep breath. “It was several months ago. I mentioned the man that I thought Irene might be seeing. The married one. Well I thought he was married. It was very secretive, maybe he wasn’t married. I don’t know,” her words were spilling out.

“Yes. I recall the subject.”

“There was a supper party. I didn’t think much of it. There were lots of gentlemen at the party. It was thrown by my father’s business associate. Irene attended as well,” Nell began.

Val nodded for her to continue.