Tall Tail

Saturday, July 16, 2016

“Had she ever mentioned financial problems or domestic troubles? Disagreements with anyone?” Cooper was gently asking questions about Barbara Leader to Penny Holloway and her daughter, Millicent Grimstead, Susan’s mother.

“Not a thing,” Penny replied. “Barbara never really complained about anything.”

The three women sat in the air-conditioned part of the summer porch.

Hearing a noise from the main part of the house, Millicent rose, briefly leaving the room before returning. “Wendell Holmes, trying to get into the garbage.”

Wendell Holmes was the Holloway’s springer spaniel.

“Good. I was afraid Sam had awakened.” Penny lowered her voice. “Deputy, we haven’t told Sam anything about Barbara’s accident. It will greatly unnerve the governor, he liked her so.”

“He hasn’t read about the accident or seen a TV report?”

“We’ve monitored the news,” Millicent replied. “Mostly he reads The Washington Post, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal. He watches CNN and sometimes the other channels, but he doesn’t have much time for TV. He says if you want to find out about something, you read the newspapers.”

“We’ll never run out of news.” Cooper smiled.

“Deputy, you asked us about complaints, domestic problems. Why?” Penny missed nothing.

“My experience is if a person is upset, they drive badly. Perhaps Barbara was distressed about something. It’s curious. She was dead when Harry Haristeen opened the door. It was quick and I hope painless.” Cooper tried to be soothing.

“We thought we’d tell Daddy next week,” said Millicent. “We told him she’d taken a week off, and since he can be a little forgetful, he was okay. We fibbed and said she’d informed him.” She leaned back in the blue-and-white striped chair.

Penny nodded. “Sam becomes attached to people,” she said, her voice lovely. “Barbara would jolly him along. She’d ring the ship’s bell in his library when it was time to take a pill and she enlivened it with a bit of bourbon. She’d bring him a real drink at five. Funny thing, the young woman working with him on his autobiography is sweet and smart. He likes going back with her in time, but I think he talked to Barbara more. He trusted her, but then she made him feel better. If he was becoming tired, she’d find a way to suggest a nap.”

“This is such a loss,” Millicent confided.

“Yes, I can understand that,” Cooper said sympathetically.

“Leukemia is a cruel disease.” Penny folded her hands together. “He’s fought it so long. He doesn’t get angry or fuss. He doesn’t feel sorry for himself.”

“Daddy’s concern is leaving Mother,” said Millicent. “He wants to make sure she’s all right. He’s organized me, really, to run this big place when he’s gone.”

“You two made a wonderful life together,” Cooper complimented Penny.

She brightened. “We did. We met so many exciting people, people who did things, whether it was in the arts or business or medicine or politics. As you know, politics is bruising, but my Sam would always bounce back no matter what, and he’d be ready for the next problem.” She smiled slightly, then added, “A year ago when he received his diagnosis that nothing more could be done, Sam took my hand and said, ‘I’m not ready to leave you yet.’ Not ‘How much time have I got?’ Not ‘Do you recommend more chemo just to try?’ Nothing like that. He never mentions it. Forgive me. I’ve rattled on and you’re here to discuss poor, dear, Barbara.”

“Mrs. Holloway, anything you can tell me is helpful. Often a casual remark can help.”

Suddenly super-alert, Millicent said, “Barbara died in an accident, right?”

Cooper cleared her throat. “That seems to be the case, but we must always double-check.”