the reasons must be that Mrs - Flowers is at present suing your husband!
'Well, that explains the whole mystery,' said Anne. 'She must want revenge.
How much does she claim Henry owes her?'
'She is not suggesting debt, Mrs. Osborne!
'Well, what is she suggesting thenT Glen Ricardo pushed himself up from the chair, as if the movement required the full strength of both his arms to raise his tired frame. He walked to the window and looked out over the crowded Boston harbour.
'She is suing for a breach of promise, Mrs. Osborne!
'Oh, no~' said Anne.
'It appears that they were engaged to be married at the time that Mr.
Osborne met you, when the engagement was suddenly terminated for no apparent reason!
'Gold digger; she must have wanted Henry's money.'
'No, I don't think so. You see, Mrs. Flowers is already well off. Not in your class, of course, but well off all the same. Her late husband owned a soft drink bottling company, and had left her financially secure!
'Her late husband - how old is she?'
The detective walked back to the table and flicked over a page or two of his file before his thumb started moving down the page. The black nail came to a halt.
'She'll be fifty - three on her next birthday!
'Oh, my God,' said Anne. 'The poor wo - man. She must hate me!
'I daxe say she does, Mrs. Osborne, but that will not help us. Now I must turn to your husband's other activities!
Tle nicodne - stained finger turned over some more pages.
Anne began to feel sick. Why had she come, why hadn't she left well alone last week? She didn't have to know. She didn't want to know. Why didn't she get up and walk away? How she wished Richard was by her side. He would have known exactly how to deal with the whole situation. She found herself unable to move, transfixed by Glen Ricardo and the contents of his smart new file.
'On two occasions last week Mr. Osborne spent over three hours alone with Mrs. Preston!
'But that doesn't prove anything,' began Anne desperately, 'I know they were discussing a very important financial document.'
'In a small hotel on La Salle Street.'
Anne didn't interrupt the detective again.
'On both occasions they were seen walking into the hotel holding hands, whispering and laughing. It's not conclusive of course, but we have photographs of them together entering and ieaving the hotel.'
'Destroy them,' said Anne quietly.
Glen Ricardo blinked. 'As you wish, Mrs. Osborne. I'm afraid there is more. Further enquiries show that Mr. Oshome was never at Harvard nor was he an officer in the American armed forces. There was a Henry Osborne at Harvard who was five - foot - five, sandy - haired and came from Alabama. He was killed on the Maine in 1917. We also know that your husband is considerably younger than he claims to be and that his real name is Vittorio Togna, and he has served - - 2 'I don't want to hear any more,' said Anne, tears flooding down her checks. 'I don't want to hear any more.'
'Of course, Mrs. Osborne, I understand. I am only sorTy that my news is so distressing. In my job sometimes...'
Anne fought for a measure of self - control. 'Thank you, Mr. Ricardo. I appreciate all you have done. How much do I owe you?'
'Well, you have already paid for the two weeks in advance, and my expenses came to seventy - three dollars!
Anne passed him a hundred - dollar note and rose from her chair.
'Don't forget your change, Mrs. Osborne.'
She shook her head and waved a disinterested hand.
'Are you feeling all right, Mrs. Osborne? You look a little pale to me.
Can I get you a glass of water or something?'
'I'm fine,' lied Anne.
'Perhaps you would allow me to drive you home?'
'No, thank you, Mr., Ricardo, I'll be able to get myself horne.' She turned and smiled at him. 'It was kind of you to offer.9 Glen Ricardo closed the door quietly behind his client, walked slowly to the window, bit the end off his last big cigax~ spat it out and cursed his job.
Anne paused at the top of the stairs, clinging to the banister, almost fainting. The baby kicked inside her, making her feel nauseous. She found a cab on the cbmer of the block and, huddled in the back, was unable to stop herself sobbing or to think what to do nexti As soon as she was dropped at the Red House, she went to