For better or for worse, the worse it might be...
Big old houses with their city gardens and crafty spaces set the scene for this tale. It's not a psychological character study with flaws and weaknesses permeating the journey to its conclusion. It's a simple story of cost and consequences without a bit of redeeming quality drawing instead upon my own familiarity.
It was a struggle to categorize this tale so with a wife and promiscuity, a husband and his nearly Victorian sense of fidelity, I chose to leave it where I've resided most, here in Loving Wives. It is not a ribald exercise in crafting a jism saga so if you really need to get your nut at this precise moment I will not be offended in the least if you head off to another tale but please come back.
Many thanks to the Black Rand for pulling this collection of writers together for another celebration of stories, The Magical Mystery Tour. She is a busy woman and made all the more so with her continuing efforts at improving a thriving writers community. The reception has been terrific among the regulars here and as always there is the small disgruntled element that finds a perverse joy in pissing on any parade within reach of their small stream. By all means, piss.
I'm just a journeyman so please bear with me for any mistakes I've made.
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The checkered gabardine overcoat still held the morning dew as David shook it and hung it up on the rail just inside the foyer to the old stone mansard home at the end of the lane. It had hung on the garden post as nightfall set in and rolled on toward dawn making itself visible through the lens of steaming coffee as the man of the house peered out onto the fresh soil of the garden plot; a spade at the ready to uproot vegetables when needed.
At precisely 9 AM as the chime struck on the mantle clock, the doorbell rang and his spoon fell to the floor. It was a hasty opening; a meticulous turn of the knob yet rushed.
"Good morning, sir. Are you David Morehouse?" The taller of the two rather drab looking gentlemen stood on the entry stoop looking more past him than at him.
"Yes, sir, I am. What can I do for you?"
"I am Lieutenant Detective Simpson and this is my partner Detective Seagerson." He nodded almost imperceptivity at the shorter man to his rear. "Might we come in? We are looking into a matter concerning Lydia Morehouse. She is your wife, is she not?"
Surprise fitted itself upon his face and with animated purpose David invited the gentlemen into the parlor offering refreshments once seated. Both men were strictly to business declining the offer and instead proceeded with their inquiry.
"Mr. Morehouse, when did you last see your wife?" The lieutenant detective asked while his wandering eyes took in the scenery and dΓ©cor of the room.
"I suppose it was last weekend, Saturday morning to be precise. She was off to visit her family up in Hiram; her mother lives on the old farm and is not altogether well it seems. What is this about, Detective?"
Both detectives glanced at each other before the lead continued, ignoring his question.
"I see. We understand you run a firm down on Congress Street, equities, investments, is it?"
David merely nodded but took note of the readiness of his inquisitors.
"So, have you talked with her since she left?"
"No, she prefers it that way when she's upcountry. She understands how I feel about much of her family and likewise. Again, what is this about?"
"Do you know Phillip Bergman?" The short detective asked abruptly. The senior man seemed a bit annoyed with the cut in but said nothing.
"I've heard the name but I don't think I've ever been formally introduced to him. You might want to talk with the lady next door. I believe she used to be a Bergman. Rosalyn's her name, Rosalyn Sanders, that's her family name but I'm sure she used to be a Bergman."
Maybe out of nervous habit or unconscious deflection David inadvertently glanced toward the back of the house where the doorway to the garden ground was still open to the fresh air.
"Given the circumstances, Mr. Morehouse, we suspect other than innocent occurrences may be at play here. We contacted your wife's family and they never heard anything from her, nothing since her previous visit last month. You can understand our concern, I am sure."
David stared at the two men momentarily.
"Do you suspect this Phillip Bergman fellow as having something to do with Lydia's absence?"
Lieutenant Detective Simpson looked directly at David as he told him they did not have enough information at this time to make that determination.
"Did Mrs. Morehouse know Phillip Bergman as far as you are aware?"
Maybe it was a pique of angst over an undesirable circumstance showing on his brow or deep in his eyes. He was sure the detectives picked up on it but he said nothing and just shook his head.
"We will want to search the house and grounds, Mr. Morehouse, standard procedure you know."
"What? Surely I am not a suspect in this matter?"
The detectives looked at him and brushed decorum aside.
"We can secure the warrant if necessary, sir."
"I will want my counsel in that case."