But when he was finished, and when he knew that she would be there, he headed home, by way of Gordon Terrace. When he rang the bell, the door was opened by a red-haired woman; she had been by Maggie’s side at the crematorium, and again at the reception. ‘You’re Bet,’ he said.
‘And you’re Bob,’ she replied. ‘I guess Margaret’s told each of us about the other. Come on in; she’s been half expecting you.’ She led him into the ‘playroom’ where Maggie was waiting, then left them alone.
‘Hi,’ he said quietly. ‘How’re you doing?’
‘I’m fine; I suppose that’s because the worst part’s over.’
‘It’s not. All other things aside, the worst part begins after the funeral, when there’s no more we can do for them, other than miss them, and go quietly crazy. In a way it’s a blessing that you have things to distract you. I had Alex and the job; you’ve got the baby, and then your treatment.’
Maggie laughed softly. ‘And my sister; she’s quite a distraction too. She says she’s staying for as long as I need her. She works mostly on computer and she can keep in touch with her clients by e-mail. It’s great; it’s like finding someone completely new.’
‘That’s good.’ His head dropped. ‘Maggie, there’s something I’ve got to tell you. I’ve failed you. We had him, the guy who . . . did it but he got away. Not for ever, though: he will always be on my personal Wanted list, and when I catch up with him . . .’
She held up a hand, then reached out and took his. ‘Bob,’ she whispered, ‘stop. I’ve already had Mario here, telling me about it and promising the same vengeance you are. I want you to put it on hold for now. You guys say you’re praying for me, and as long as you are I’d prefer it if you were in God’s good books. I need you both to focus on me, not him.’
He looked at her, but her smiling face was hazy to him.
‘Things have moved on since I saw you last. Mr Fine has taken another opinion: they’re both agreed that Stephanie Margaret . . . that’s her name by the way . . . is growing at such a rate that she can be safely delivered in two weeks’ time. She’ll weigh around four pounds by that time, and they’ll be happy with that. I’ll get to see her, and then they’ll go to work on me. Mr Ronald, the new guy, sounds optimistic. So please, if you want to do something for Stevie, then concentrate, for now, on helping his daughter and wife get through this experience together. Okay?’
He smiled, a little mistily, and squeezed her hand. ‘Promise,’ he whispered.
‘Good,’ she said grimly, as her eyes tightened, showing creases that he had never noticed before, ‘but be in no doubt of this, just in case you think that the Maggie Rose you knew has gone beyond recall. When we’ve done that, the two of us, and I’m back to full strength, I’ll be ahead of you and Mario in the queue to track down Mr Dražen Boras.’
17 - Death's Door Page 39