The Dust of Death

Chapter 4

 "That dame is something else, Cupid," Phalen said. "Is the coast clear?"

"Yes. It is, you coward."

"You've got that right," said Phalen. "I don't think the Huns were nearly as persistent as your Mrs. Lime. She is quite something. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen a wife who wanted her spouse to be messing around as much as your Mrs. Lime."

"My Mrs. Lime, as you call her," Flix said, "has a guilty conscience. It is written in her every action and heard in her every word. I daresay Henry has the goods on her. She mentioned the fact that her husband was going to throw her to the dogs if we didn't come up with evidence that he is cheating on her. From all indications, it looks like our Mrs. Lime has been caught red-handed with her painted nails in the cookie jar. On leaving, she mentioned a card she'd kept upon receiving flowers."

"And let me guess," said Phalen, "she's absolutely determined that we come to her rescue, uncover the dirt on her hubby, and allow her thin, delicate neck to slither out of the noose that is there of her own making."

"I'm afraid that's about the size of it."

"So, what's your plan? I take it we are still at Mrs. Lime's beck and call."

"You are exactly correct. No matter how much I suggested some other firm would be better, Mrs. Lime would not hear me. It is like she turns her hearing on and off like a light switch. She's retained us for the next two weeks. Two weeks! I don't know if we will live through it! Oh, but whining doesn't help. We're stuck with Mrs. Lime, whether we like it or not. You take tonight, and I'll take tomorrow night," Flix said.

"That works for me," Phalen said. "I have an appointment with Tom after work tomorrow."

"Are you okay?" Flix asked.

"I'm fine. I'm meeting with a priest," Phalen said.

"A priest?"

"Yes," Phalen said. "I guess it's about time I got my house in order, Cupid. I've been thinking lately about all those promises I made in the trenches."

"Didn't we all?" Flix asked.

"Well, anyway, I feel kind of, well, I don't know, guilty. I'm ashamed to say that, until recently, I had sort of shoved all that to the back of my mind. But the memories keep dogging me. I thought if I could talk to someone about the promises maybe I could sort some of them out."

"Let me know if he helps," Flix said.

"I really don't know what to expect," Phalen said. "I haven't been faithful for a very, very long time. Father Tom has agreed to meet with me, though. I can't miss our appointment. I'm lucky he could work me in on such short notice. The man is so incredibly busy; it's almost impossible to get a meeting with him. I think he's batting for Pope before he's forty. Ha ha. But it was good of him to make time for me. I have so many things I want to discuss. They say he's quite an extraordinary fellow."

"Then, you don't know him?"

"No. I've only heard about him. I hope he can help me. We saw too much over there, Cupid. Way too much. I think we were all damaged by it, somehow. I might feel better about the whole thing if I talked it out with somebody who is closer to the Almighty than I'll ever be."

Flix stared off into the far corner of the room.

"Not that I think he can do much good," said Phalen. "I dunno. I don't really know what to expect. I don't think Tom's going to have the answers to anything earth shattering. But, we'll see. Do I shock you, Cupid? Wanting to reconnect with my faith? You are awfully quiet. Not like you at all. You look rather pale, like the cat that has just swallowed the canary, and it has stuck in his throat."

"No. No. It's nothing," Flix said. "Nothing you have said about the war and what it did to those of us who served is shocking. I feel it, too. It's Mrs. Lime."

"Mrs. Lime," Phalen said.

"Yes. She threw me for a loop. That's all. That woman is crazy, Phalen. Her moods swing from one end of the spectrum to the other with amazing speed. She seems, well, a bit unbalanced."

"Unbalanced. You're joking, right Cupid?"

"No. I'm not. I just hope she's not dangerous."

"Oh, don't fret about Mrs. Lime," Phalen said. "She's about as dangerous as a goldfish. I think I've actually dated a few like her. Leave you feeling like you've just been to the butchers and been skinned to the bone. That kind of gal is only out for herself. She's dramatic and colorful, and nine times out of ten, she always gets her way. Like I said, a flashy goldfish."

Phalen closed the door behind him.

"A goldfish, my Aunt Betsy! A piranha in a goldfish suit!"