by R A Wallace
Chapter Twenty-Three
Delia dressed quickly in the morning. The house was silent as she left her room but a smell from the kitchen told her that her cousin was awake. She found Hazel standing in front of the range.
“Good morning.” Delia crossed over to the kitchen cabinet to get a teacup before joining Hazel at the range. “Did something burn?”
Hazel was staring at the pan in front of her.
Delia quickly set her teacup down and grabbed a towel. She used it to lift the scorched pan of eggs in front of Hazel. After setting it into the white porcelain sink, she turned on the faucet. The water spattered with a hissing noise as steam rose.
“Hazel, turn off the flame.” When her cousin didn’t respond, she nudged her out of the way and turned the knob herself.
“Come and sit.” She held onto Hazel’s arms and propelled her to the kitchen table. After gently pushing her down into the chair, she returned to get them both a cup of tea.
Hazel’s face was covered with her hands when Delia set the teacup in front of her.
“Are you alright?” Delia took the seat next to her.
Hazel’s hands dropped to the teacup. She wrapped her hands around the cup as though searching for the heat.
“This time last week I was frantic about the man-power bill.” Hazel stared at her tea.
Delia’s eyes fell to the newspaper on the table. One section was spread flat showing a full-page story about the upcoming registration date. Whereas before, those between twenty-one and thirty were required to register for the draft, the ages now were extended at both ends.
Men everywhere from eighteen to forty-five will be required to register on the same day. Multiple locations were opening up all over Glennon and every other town across the nation to process them all. Every possible location large enough to accommodate the numbers including churches, blacksmith shops, barbers, schoolhouses, and everything in between would be pressed into service.
Memories of Delia’s own registration flashed through her mind. Like the men, she also was required to be physically examined after standing in a long line waiting for her turn. For some female yeomen, the experience proved a harrowing event. Others, like Delia, were permitted to wear a loose-fitting dress and a Navy nurse was present with the overworked physician who dispensed of his duties quickly before calling for the next recruit.
“He may still need to do so,” Delia reminded her.
“If he’s released from jail?” Hazel’s eyes remained focused on her tea. “I know that. He’ll make a fine soldier. He’s very brave, you know. I keep telling myself that I’ll be just as brave as he is when he goes. But this.”
Delia knew what Hazel meant. Being accused of murder was different.
“I should make breakfast,” Hazel said without moving.
“Perhaps I should take over that chore this morning,” Delia suggested as she stood. “I’ll clean the frying pan first.”
“I’m not very hungry.” Hazel’s voice sounded far away.
“You need to keep your strength up. You don’t want to get one of your headaches.” Delia cut some of the crust from the bread to scrub the pan. When it didn’t come completely clean, she dipped the crust into salt and tried again. “Are you planning to go to church this morning?”
“I don’t feel up to it.”
Delia reached for the washing soda. After putting some into the pan, she added hot water. “If rest will help stave off a headache, perhaps it is for the best that you remain here.”
“You’ll try to learn more today about Arch, won’t you?”
Delia rinsed the pan and wiped it. She knew the police would be making their intentions known soon. She was running out of time. “I promise I’ll do what I can.”
***
After most of the congregation had emptied the church, Delia followed Mena past the pews and paused at the entrance to speak with her.
“How is Hazel holding up?” Mena asked quietly.
“As you might suspect.” Delia nodded a greeting at a couple that passed them before following them outside.
Faye broke away from another cluster of people and joined them in front of the church. “Did you see the new principal and his sister?”
Delia glanced toward the street where Wesley Glennon stood next to his sister as they spoke to a group of people around them. Her two children waited patiently beside them. At one point, Virginia Gray reached for her brother’s arm. The little girl reached her hand up to take her uncle’s other arm, just as her mother had but she wasn’t tall enough. Her uncle reached down to hold the child’s hand before saying something to make her laugh. Delia couldn’t help smiling at the sight.
“How adorable,” Mena murmured.
“I heard he was good with children,” Faye whispered.
“The students at the normal school have spoken well of him also,” Mena whispered back. “Such a shame his wife died in childbirth.”
Faye turned to face them with her back against the street. “Earl Gordon told me last night that the new principal is very supportive of the commercial department.”
“It sounds like he is fitting into the school community nicely,” Mena said.
Delia assumed he must reserve his ill temper solely for her.
“I love your jacket Delia.” Mabelle Neff touched the fabric as she stopped next to the others. “Very nice.”
“Thank you.” Delia opted not to explain that it used to belong to Euphemia. The admiral’s wife had often gifted clothing she no longer wore to Delia. “Have any of you seen Carl Lawton?”
She watched the others exchange confused looks at her turn of conversation.
“I have not,” Mena said.
“Perhaps he has been busy with his father’s death?” Faye suggested.
Mena leaned in closer. “I imagine Mrs. Lawton has mixed feelings at the moment.”
Mabelle nodded knowingly. “My mother heard that mister and missus were having more troubles than usual of late.”
Their attention was drawn to the doorway as some of the students came out laughing. Delia waved to the ones she recognized hoping to get their attention.
Claude crossed over to join them. “Hello, all. What did you think?”
“Your singing was uplifting.” Delia smiled to include the two young girls that followed Claude.
“We need to get back to the school,” Gladys said as she tugged at Claude’s sleeve.
“A group of us are planning a walk in the woods later,” Rose explained. “For educational purposes, of course.”
“Perhaps I should join you,” Mabelle said. “You know that students aren’t supposed to have unsupervised activities with boys and girls together.”
“But…” Rose gave Gladys a helpless look.
“It wouldn’t be a problem at all,” Mabelle continued as she waved at the others. “And I may be able to add to the educational experience.”
Delia watched them move off together lamenting the loss of the opportunity to ask about Carl. As they neared the street, the Glennon family finally began to walk away from the church.
“I just realized they weren’t driving their motor car,” Mena said. “I forgot about the ban for using gasoline on Sundays.”
“I guess the shortages are touching all of us,” Faye agreed.
Chapter Twenty-Four
“And that concludes another day of typewriting.” Delia turned to set her piece of chalk down. Behind her, she could hear the shuffling of feet as students rose to the leave the classroom. Everyone began speaking at once as they gathered in clusters to walk out into the hallway. Delia turned back toward the students and moved to the other side of her desk.
“How was your educational walk in the woods yesterday?” she asked Gladys and Rose.
Gladys offered a rueful smile. “It was actually much better than I thought it would be.”
“Miss Neff didn’t assign any homework or give a surprise exam at the end,” Rose agreed.
“
I’ve been meaning to ask,” Delia walked with them toward the door. “Have either of you heard anything about Carl Lawton?”
“I haven’t,” Gladys said as she stepped into the hall.
“I have.” Rose stepped into the hall behind Gladys then turned to face Delia. “Just yesterday, in fact. On our nature walk.”
“Really?” Delia wasn’t surprised given the boy’s father had just died.
“One of my friends told me something.” Rose’s face wrinkled into thought as she tried to recall the specifics. “Edie said that she heard from Gussie who heard from Lizzy that someone saw him getting onto a train.”
“A train? And did your friend’s friend know when he may have gotten onto a train?”
Rose made another face. “I’m not sure. I know it was in the summer. I believe she may have said it was about a month or so ago.”
“We should be going,” Gladys said as she tugged on Rose’s arm. “We need to meet Miss Neff in the sewing room.”
“We help to make comfort clothing for the wounded soldiers,” Rose explained.
“Wait,” Delia said quickly. “Do you know where Claude is at this time of the day?”
The girls were walking backwards away from her. “He should be getting out of gymnasium class.”
Delia waved before they turned and headed for the stairs. After collecting her hat, she followed them. The walk across campus was a pleasant one. As she drew closer to the gymnasium, she passed girls wearing black serge suits with sailor style blouses. They were all walking away from the gymnasium.
She picked up speed knowing that Claude would be exiting the two-story stone building and walking away from her toward the dormitories for men. She rounded the corner of the gymnasium in time to see him walk outside with a group of other young men.
Delia stood at the crosswalk waiting for him to come closer. When he saw her standing there watching him, he broke away from the other students.
“Miss Markham?”
“Claude, I’m sorry to trouble you but I just have a quick question.” Delia stepped farther away from the group of young men.
Claude followed her. “Yes?”
She stopped and turned toward him. “Have you heard from Carl Lawton recently?”
The confusion left his face. “Oh yes, miss. Just this morning, in fact.”
Delia tried not to show her excitement. “Claude, I know this sounds odd but I need to know what he told you.”
The furrow between his brows reappeared. “Just that he had to go away, miss.”
“He didn’t tell you where he went?” She watched Claude shake his head. “Or why he left?”
“No, miss. He just asked me to watch after his mother.” Claude lifted his hand when one of the others called his name. “I have to go.”
“Oh, yes. Of course.” Delia remained where she was. “Claude.”
He paused to turn back toward her.
She knew he was eager to go with his friends. “If you hear from him again, you will tell me?”
His words were lost in the voices of his friends as they called to him again but she saw him nod his agreement. When he jogged over to his friends to catch up with them, Delia turned and walked in the other direction. It took several moments to get to the Biltmore Building. Delia climbed the steps to the second floor and found Bennie in his office.
“Miss Markham.” Bennie stood from his desk.
She glanced at the principal’s closed door.
“He isn’t in at the moment,” Bennie said. “He’s at another meeting about the new officers’ training program. He seems pretty excited about that.”
She ignored the relief she felt. “I’m not here to see him this time.”
Bennie looked curious. “Is there something I can help you with?”
“I was hoping I might use your telephone.” Delia added a smile to her request.
Several minutes later, she left the Biltmore Building and headed for the hospital. She found the nurse in her office.
Delia tapped on the door. “Nurse Noble?”
“Delia, hello. Please call me Blanche.”
Delia stepped into the office. “Might I take up a few moments of your time?”
“Of course.” Blanche set her pencil down and rested her clasped hands on her desk. “Is this about your injury?”
Delia saw the professional curiosity in Blanche’s eyes. “Thank you, no. I was very nearly healed before I came to Hazel’s. I do not anticipate any further issues with it.”
“Then I will admit you have my interest. How can a nurse help a typewriting teacher?” Blanche’s smile was contagious.
Delia felt herself smiling back. “I am hoping you can tell me about the effects of arsenate of lead.”
Understanding flooded Blanche’s eyes. “I see. How is Hazel holding up?”
Once again, Delia wondered how much of a secret her cousin’s relationship was.
“It has been very trying,” Delia said. “Can you explain what might happen if someone ingested it?”
“Well.” Blanche separated her hands. “It would depend on how much was administered.”
“You’re talking about the amount of poison given,” Delia said.
“Yes. For example, if a very large amount was given the reaction would be somewhat different than smaller amounts over a long period.”
“How so?”
“With a large amount, the patient might suffer from severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, convulsions, and vomiting.”
“Would death occur immediately with a large amount?” Delia asked.
Blanche made a face as she considered the possibilities. “Again, it would depend on just how much he was given. It is possible it wouldn’t be instantaneous.”
“I understand that Arch believed he wasn’t missing a large amount. In fact, he doesn’t believe he was missing any at all. It’s the police who are trying to prove otherwise. What if the victim was given small amounts over time?”
“The poison would have impacted his body but more slowly. The symptoms would have been there but would be less obvious,” Blanche said.
“Can you give examples?”
“He may have suffered from poor appetite. Perhaps he felt weak or tired.”
“Those are things that may not have been noticeable at first,” Delia murmured.
“Exactly. He might attribute them to any number of things. Perhaps he’d been working too hard lately, that sort of thing,” Blanche said.
“What might happen if he was given poison for an extended period and then the poison was stopped?”
Blanche looked surprised at first, but her face turned thoughtful as she considered the implications. She shook her head slowly. “The poison would have taken its toll. The chances are good that his organs would have failed. It was only a matter of time.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Delia left the hospital preoccupied in thought. Without intent, she walked along the many paved paths that crossed the campus. She paused in front of the library and considered stopping in to see Mena for a moment. As she debated the idea, a large group of students passed by her on their way to the library entrance all talking at once.
She turned away and continued walking as she reviewed the things she had learned. She was convinced that Arch Keaton had not killed Frank Lawton. Though she knew his proximity to the poison gave him the means, the image of his character sketched by the many people of Glennon who knew him argued his innocence.
He was a man who gave willingly of his time to the instruction of Sam. Indeed, his guidance would be considered paternal by many. He was a man of honor who would fight to shield Hazel from the ugliness of the world. He was a man who tenderly nurtured acres of plants and trees then carefully harvested them in support of the many who partook of the bounty.
On the other hand, Frank Lawton’s former partner was quite the opposite. Bob Hinkle’s character was found lacking in every possible regard. His own wife considered his potential for murder nonexist
ent due to the amount of effort it would require.
She was certain the killer wasn’t Arch. She was fairly certain it wasn’t Bob Hinkle. Her investigation of those two men had led her to believe they did not hold the answers she needed. Whereas, in contrast, the victim’s family left many unanswered questions.
She was standing near a beautiful display of Culver’s root, asters, and golden sneezeweed lost in thought when Bennie found her.
“Miss Markham!” Bennie was out of breath when he stopped next to her. “You have a telegram.”
She held her hand out to take the missive. Euphemia must have acted with great haste after Delia’s earlier telephone call to produce such a speedy result from the admiral’s office.
“I couldn’t help but know the contents,” Bennie said.
“Quite alright,” she murmured as she finished reading. “This will do nicely.”
“Would you like me to accompany you?” Bennie asked.
She smiled her thanks. “That won’t be necessary. I am acquainted with such offices.”
A short time later, she was taking the now familiar trip on the trolley from the front of Glennon Normal School to downtown Glennon. Along the way, they ran parallel to a sidewalk that led all the way from the school campus into downtown Glennon. As the trolley moved deeper into the town, there were many more paved sidewalks lined with electric street lamps along the main streets for pedestrians.
She watched as they passed an ice wagon. Although the horse steadily pulled the yellow wagon with red wheels over the brick-paved street it was no match for the speed of the trolley. When the trolley turned a corner it had to slow to avoid a motor car passing in front of it. Finally, they made it to her stop.
According to the newspaper, the primary recruiting office in Glennon was shifting its location in anticipation of the large influx of men required to report for the next draft registration. It was located on the second floor of the Glennon Bank.
Delia stepped inside the large building occupying the corner of Main Street and West Second and looked for signs that directed her to the stairs. Noises from above could be heard as she gathered her skirts and began ascending. When she reached the second floor, she stood in an open space and watched the activity.