M. Forsythe - While Rome Was Sleeping

Charlene’s face registered first incredulity then a look of understanding. “Aha, you thought that Andrew Kincaid and I were… how did you put it… an item? Really, Detective, Mr. Kincaid and I are not lov—.” She stopped mid-word and found herself wondering what Andrew might have told Jim Savalza and why. She mentally back pedaled to answer. “What I mean to say is that we are really just getting to know each other; there’s a long way to go. You do understand?”

Jim watched her face carefully, thinking, “She’s figured it out. “Okay, Mrs. Thayer, I understand. Now, I’d like to ask you a few questions about George Kelshaw and your relationship with him.”

Charlene seated herself across the small kitchen table from Jim Savalza. Quietly she said, “I told you yesterday that there was no relationship. I never met him, I didn’t know him and I wish I had talked with him when he called, but instead I hung up on him because I thought he was a harassing caller.” The edge in her voice told the detective she was close to tears.

“But, Mrs. Thayer,” he insisted softly, “There is a connection. What did he say before you hung up on him?”

Charlene answered, “He said he had information about Paul, my husband. I couldn’t bear to listen to any more and I hung up. I was angry and sick that anyone would…” She didn’t finish the sentence; Detective Savalza nodded and patted her shoulder.

“I don’t like adding to your distress, Mrs. Thayer, but someone deliberately murdered George Kelshaw and I think wanted it to appear that he was just some drifter who got stabbed during a mugging.” Jim Savalza was on his feet pacing back and forth in Charlene’s small kitchen. “I don’t have much in the way of leads, but I’ve got to tell you that I think Mr. Kelshaw deserves better. I also think if he wanted to talk with you that he had a reason and I think you know what that reason was or is!”

The detective’s tone had become serious and authoritative. He continued, “As I said, Mrs. Thayer, I don’t like adding to your distress, but you know something and I want to know what it is. Why did this George Kelshaw call you?”

Charlene swallowed hard and stood up. “Just a minute,” she said softly as she left the room to return moments later with the letter in her hand. “This is why he tried to call me. He wanted this letter to get to me. I still don’t know what he had to tell me. ”

Jim Savalza took the letter and read it slowly; looking at Charlene’s face he could see that it was exceedingly difficult for her to share it. He said finally, placing it back in her hands, “I’m sorry. I’m afraid this only adds to the puzzle. Who was George Kelshaw? You must have some idea. Is the George mentioned in this letter, George Kelshaw?”

Charlene sat back down in the kitchen chair and said slowly, “Possibly, but I don’t really know; if so, then I know he was Paul’s friend, but where has he been all this time? I don’t know any more than what I’ve told you and the letter. You must know I have questions of my own that now may never be answered.” she said in finality.

“And what about Kincaid?” he queried.

“Mr. Kelshaw gave the letter to Andrew Kincaid to give to me.” He was only the messenger.

“Do you think he knew Kelshaw before the stabbing?”

“No, I’m sure he didn’t. George Kelshaw was at the Seamen’s Center with Father Lee before all this happened. It was Father Lee who called Andrew about him after he had tried to call me.” She paused, “Have you talked with Father Ben?”

“Not as much as I plan to. Thanks, Mrs. Thayer, Charlene, I know this is rough but we will get to the bottom of it. Too bad that you and Kincaid aren’t—well you know,” he paused, “I had higher hopes for him.” Then he added, “He’s a pretty good egg, overall though. Maybe, who knows…” he mused. Then he left.

She stood in the kitchen watching him get into his car and drive away. Mixed feelings washed over her as she thought of Andrew Kincaid. She shook her head as if to realign her thoughts. “Surely he wouldn’t deliberately… get on with your day, Charlene,” she said irritably out loud, but she felt peculiarly abandoned.

9:30 AM

Jim checked his watch, 9:30, “I think talking to Father Lee right about now would be a good idea,” he said to himself. As he parked his car across from the Center,

he saw Father Ben just about to open the front door. “Wait up, Father,” he called and hurried toward Ben. “Just thought I’d stop by and see if the Center needed anything; also I wanted to talk with you about George Kelshaw. Do you have a little time?”

“Of course, Jim, so this is an official call?” Adding, “Come in,” in response to Jim’s nod in the affirmative. “As you can see everything is pretty much back to normal,” he said smiling and leading Jim past a few sailors sitting in a corner having an animated conversation in an Asian language.

As they entered the office, Sister Ruth looked up surprised to see the detective with Ben. She rose from her chair commenting, “I suppose this is private?” Not waiting for an answer she smiled and shook hands with Detective Savalza and said to Ben, “I will go check on the supply cabinets and see if we need to order anything. If you need me I’ll be close by,” she said protectively. Ruth knew Jim Savalza, but was still uncomfortable about the things that had taken place at the Center in the last few days.

Savalza settled himself in the chair close to Ben’s desk. Leaning forward, hands folded on the desk and narrowing his black eyes, he looked intently at Ben and asked, “Father Ben, who was George Kelshaw? And before you answer that question I want you to know I have already talked with Charlene Thayer and read the letter he carried to be delivered to her. The letter itself suggests that Mr. Kelshaw was more than a transient sailor. I suspect that his demise was not an accidental death that occurred as a result of an attempted robbery. I believe it was deliberate.” Jim paused and sat back in the chair waiting.

Ben looked squarely at the detective and then at his hands and nodded. He was thinking how much he could share with Jim Savalza and wished Andrew was there. Ben knew he couldn’t lie to Jim. “Oh Lord”, he prayed, “guide my words.” Speaking more deliberately than usual, he said, “Yes, Detective Jim, he was more than a transient sailor, in fact he was not a sailor at all. As I told the policeman at the hospital, he did come in on a cargo ship, the Tsein-Maru. I suspected he was not a merchant seaman and those suspicions were confirmed by members of the crew. He spent his time here writing letters and made one phone call. One call to Mrs. Thayer as you already know.” Ben stopped. He wasn’t sure how to continue from there.

“Go on,” Jim urged. “What happened then?” Jim looked at his notes, “You also told the officers that Kelshaw had left the Center and then you heard the commotion outside. Is that right?” He waited as Ben nodded and continued, “and you and Davey interrupted the attack did you not?”

“Yes.”

“Did he say anything about who attacked him or why?”

“No,” Ben paused, “He handed me a letter for Mrs. Thayer and asked me to give it to her.” Ben did not want to talk about Kelshaw’s request to speak to Andrew, but he knew he must be as forthcoming as possible without mentioning the packet. “He also asked to see Andrew.”

“Father Ben, you have to level with me. I need to know everything that happened and how is Andrew Kincaid connected to all this?”

Father Ben weighed the question carefully and then opened a desk drawer and withdrew his own letter from George Kelshaw and handed it to the detective.