The Bishop’s Wife (Linda Wallheim Mystery, #1)(81)

“Well, we all have feelings that we can’t control,” Anna said. She was still seated on the couch and had to look up to talk to him. I wished she’d stand up and not let him intimidate her like that. “But we control how we act on those feelings.”

“So you’re saying he often suppressed his feelings?” said Detective Dun. “He was a very controlled person?”

“Tobias was a good man. A good husband and father,” said Anna.

“Have you considered the fact that you were in danger every day of your life with him?” asked Detective Dun.

Anna put a hand to her throat and shook her head.

Detective Dun seemed to realize finally he had gone too far. But the burden his sister’s death had left on him was heavy. I could understand that.

“If you could guide me through the rest of the house,” he said.

Anna stood at last, and led him through the house then, showing him every little corner or cubbyhole she could think of. She insisted she had cleaned them all when she moved, but then the detective pointed out a wall that was strangely placed, considering the footprint of the rooms overhead. While Anna and I waited in uncomfortable silence, Detective Dun went up to Tobias’s shed and got a pry bar. Then he came back and used it to break through the wall with a few well-placed taps. There was only sheetrock there, no studs.

“What do you think you’re going to find?” I asked.

He shrugged. “You never know. But sometimes people keep things they shouldn’t. They don’t want to let go.”

Then the space was open, dust flying all around, and I saw him lean in and pull out a book and some papers. The book, when he opened it, was clearly a diary written by Helena Torstensen, more than thirty years ago, beginning the day of her wedding. The papers were her wedding certificate and other legal documents and photos.

Detective Dun turned to the last entry in the diary.

“Does it say something about being afraid of Tobias killing her?” I asked after watching him try to read it in the dimly lit basement.

He shook his head. “Not that I saw. But I’ll read through all of it.” Then he leaned into the space again and pulled out some clothes. I didn’t know why Tobias had kept the other dress in the shed when he’d kept all these clothes here.

The detective packed everything up, keeping notes on it all. “What happens now?” I asked.

“We still have to prove the identity of the woman. And then the autopsy will have to show us conclusively how she died. But even after all that, I don’t know if we’ll ever be absolutely certain about who killed her at this stage. We may leave the case open,” he said.

“And what about the body?” I asked.

“After we’ve finished the investigation we can release her remains to the family to bury.” He nodded to Anna. “That would be your sons, I assume.”

“Yes,” said Anna quietly. She looked at me.

“I’ll make sure the arrangements are made for that, Anna. If it happens.” Another funeral for the Relief Society to put on. I could make sure this part was done right for the long-dead woman, even if we had done so much else wrong.





CHAPTER 28




We had a big celebration for Joseph and Willow at the family dinner in late April. We’d skipped the March family dinner. Kurt had slept through his non-meeting times because of the pressure of the tax season, even on family Sabbath.

I made a cake and everyone brought presents to go with the one I’d already bought.

“We’re having a girl!” Joseph announced.

My stomach dropped and I did my best to conceal this reaction. Why wasn’t I happy? We needed a girl in the family. This should feel like my real chance to fill the hole that my daughter had left in my life. I should be able to let go of Kelly and Carrie Helm now, shouldn’t I?

Kurt was listing everyone’s guesses about the birth date, and promising a “significant” prize to the person who guessed it right. He looked like the father of the bride, the way he was strutting around. Too bad he couldn’t hand out cigars.

“They’re so happy about this, maybe you should start having kids, too,” Zachary said, nudging Kenneth.

“I think your mother and I would prefer that you were married first, Kenneth,” said Kurt.

Kurt still hadn’t talked to Kenneth about his problems with the church, and I hadn’t talked to him about my suspicions that he might be gay. How do you ask your son that? By the way, are you gay? If he’s not, does he ever get over your asking him? Maybe it was best for me to wait for Kenneth to come out of the closet in his own good time. If he was even in a closet.

“Prefer?” I said sternly. “If any of my sons has a child without marrying the mother first, I will make sure you suffer significant pain,” I said sternly, looking at Samuel and Zachary more than Kenneth.

“Oooh, we’re scared!” said Zachary.

“Don’t mock a mother with a thirst for vengeance,” said Kurt.

“I thought Mom was all about forgiveness,” said Samuel.

“I’m about making sure that I get to know my grandchildren. And if there is any chance that I will end up missing out on the life of one my grandchildren, you will all pay for it,” I said.

We ate the cake and then the boys had a wrestling contest, which ended with me losing one glass vase I didn’t care much about and two plates I did. Apparently, what was most important about this was that they had proven their masculinity to their own satisfaction, and to the satisfaction of everyone else. Including Kurt, who joined in at the very end, and lost to Kenneth, which I could see made him grin fiercely.