Letters in Time by Reiss Susan (english readers .txt) 📗

If someone hadn’t called it in, I could have been looking at a corpse while I had my morning coffee. Was Daniel involved? A shudder ran through me.

“I’ve got almost nothing to go on,” the officer continued.  “Did either of you see anything?”

TJ shook his head. “If it happened late at night, I wouldn’t. I go to bed really early.”

I piped up. “I don’t think it means anything, but I saw a light late last night across the creek. It was there for only a minute then it was gone.”

The officer pounced. “What time did you see it?”

I had to think. “I’m not sure. I’d say around midnight. I saw the light as I was going upstairs.”

“Where did you see it? Can you show me?”

“Sure, I locked the front door and saw the light through one of the living room windows.” I pointed.

The officer and TJ exchanged looks.

“What? Did I see something important?” I wanted to know.

A message passed silently between the two men then the officer said carefully. “No need to jump to conclusions.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a business card. “If you see a light again or anything unusual, you give me a call or call 911, okay?”

I stifled a laugh. “I’m sorry, officer. TJ tells me that I need to rely on smoke signals until the telephone installer comes.”

He looked at TJ. “Dead spot?” My handyman nodded. “Well, maybe I can get them to rush the order along. A person out here alone and in your condition should be able to call for help, if you need it.”

I’d feel better if I had access to the outside world. I should never have cancelled Uncle Jack’s service, an unnecessary expense, but who knew I’d be living here.

The officer said, “Well, I’d better get going, I have other stops to make. Nice meeting you, ma’am. And don’t forget to call if you see or need anything…when you get a phone, that is.”

I thanked him and watched as TJ walked him back to his car.

Even though the officer was trying to speak softly, I heard him say, “She’s a sitting duck out here all alone.”

I bristled and called out. “No, I am not.” To add gravity to my declaration, I got to my feet. Sadly, it took a lot of effort and emphasized how weak I was. I didn’t let that hold me back. “TJ is going to change all the locks today.”

TJ shrugged. “I was on my way to the store when I saw you turn in.”

“I’ll have the only keys,” I announced. “So, no one will be able to get in unless I open the door, sir. And I’m not opening the door for anyone I don’t know.” I gave him a big smile. “Anyway, I need to be here. You know these old houses need care, especially as the weather gets cooler.  We don’t want any broken pipes, now do we?”

The officer shook his head slowly. “Ya know, TJ can take care of things like that. Maybe you should go back to where you came from. No disrespect, ma’am.”

“Of course, but I’m not going anywhere. Uncle Jack left me the Cottage.” I felt my face getting hot with irritation. Did everyone believe they knew what was best for me?

The officer assumed a more conciliatory tone. “What I meant, ma’am, was that you might go back home until we get this figured out, for your own safety.”

“Nice idea, but I can’t go home. I don’t have one to go to.” Both men looked at me. “I sublet my condo. The new tenants wouldn’t appreciate an uninvited guest.”

The officer adjusted his belt with all the gadgets necessary for policing today. “Fine, be careful and lock your doors, at least until we find out what happened and why.”

He got into his car and while he drove down the long lane to the main road, TJ sprinted up my front steps. “Don’t worry. It was probably kids roughhousing.” He flashed me a big plastic smile.

“A shovel in the face sounds like big trouble to me,” I said.

“Well, if you need anything, remember, I live just up the road.”

“Close enough for me to holler, at least until I get my phone?”

He took off his cap, ran his hand through his hair and pulled the cap down tight again. “Tell you what, if you need anything, turn on all your lights. The Cottage should shine like a Christmas tree in the dark.  If I see that, I’ll come running.  Deal?”

I smiled. “Deal.” Somehow, this handyman had a knack for making me feel better.

Chapter Five

“In Memoriam”

—How to Write Letters

by Professor J. Willis Westlake, 1883

With TJ on his way to get the new locks, I swung myself on my crutches back to the desk and sank into the comfort of the soft leather chair. I willed myself not to look up at the cubbyhole that held the letter.

I’m here to write a book and get strong, not worry myself into a tizzy about a childish prank. My chuckle sounded weak and unconvincing.  Despite my best intentions, my eyes wandered toward the letter. I clasped my hands together and squeezed hard to keep me in the here and now. I took a deep breath and took out a small stack of papers that needed attention concerning Uncle Jack’s affairs.

I made a note to get the boiler checked and arrange a fuel oil delivery schedule for the winter. I’d be here until March when the sublease on my condo would end. There were legal documents that I set aside.

At the bottom of the stack was an envelope addressed to me.  Mr. Saffire said Uncle Jack had written me