Walter was not so sure.
A knock came on the office door and Manory instinctively checked his pocket watch. “Ten minutes until office hours are over. I swear our clients wait until the last possible moment just to make sure we do not get home on time. Please, Williams, earn your rubes.”
Walter sighed and walked to the door. He thought perhaps the phone technician had forgotten to tell him something important. He opened the door and was startled at the resemblance.
Bernice.
Walter’s eyes were immediately drawn to the frizzy white hair. She was clad in a dusty black dress. He attempted to ask if he could help her but the exact words evaded his tongue.
“Is Herr Manory in?”
“Yes, he is. Who may I say is—”
“Frau Schmidt.” Rowan stood from his desk and made his way to the door. “It is such a pleasure to see you again.” He took her by the arm and led her to the chair at his desk. He gave Williams a hard look behind her back.
Walter pulled his hat and coat off the hook. “Well, Manory, I best be off. I’ll see you tonight at the Brown Bear. Good day, madam.” He hesitated and then walked out, shutting the door behind him.
Rowan bent down and spoke slowly. “Shall I get you something to drink, some tea, perhaps?”
“Nothing, thank you.” Despite the agitation of her muscles, Alice’s gaze remained steady.
“I have been meaning to pay you a visit, but unfortunately work has been taking all of my time. Criminals never seem to take a holiday.” He sat with a warm smile. “How have you been?”
“Mr. Manory, I mean you no offense but I am not here to chat. I do not care about pleasantries or weather.”
Rowan took out the inevitable papers and tobacco. He began to absently roll himself a cigarette and flatly said, “I see.”
“You promised me if you found out what happened to my mäuschen, you would tell me.”
Manory laid the paper and tobacco down. Alice’s eyes remained fixed on his face. He stood and turned to the window. The snow silently fell and piled heavily onto the ground like white lead.
This city is gorgeous if you do not have to live in it.
The End
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
James Scott Byrnside despises writing blurbs about himself. A lifelong love of reading murder mysteries inspired him to attempt writing one. The result is Goodnight Irene. He is now hooked. His next novel, Nemesis, is scheduled to be released in July of 2019. You can visit him at www.facebook.com/mysterywriting/. He kindly asks that you leave an honest review on Amazon.
Visit me at fb.me/mysterywriting
Please leave a review on Amazon.
Goodnight Irene Page 18