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Episode Twenty concluded with:
Six weeks later, returning to the offices of the
Lowrie Detective Agency in Dallas after a long, exhausting assignment, Dehner
was greeted by his boss, Bertram Lowrie. “This arrived while you were gone,” he
handed Rance an envelope, then stood by obviously hoping his employee would
open the letter right there.
A quick glance at the envelope provided the
reason why. The first line of the return address was the name Carrie Whiting.
Dehner placed the envelope in the pocket of his jacket. “I’m going home to get
some rest, it that’s okay. I’ll be back first thing in the morning.”
“Yes, of course.” Lowrie was obviously
disappointed, but to ask Rance Dehner to open the letter and read it aloud
would be a violation of propriety. Besides, Lowrie would never confess to being
interested in a letter written by a popular singer.
Episode Twenty-One
The
moment he arrived home, Dehner opened the letter and read:
Dear Mr. Dehner:
Thank you for bringing Maria home safely. The moment
Anna Martino told me about her daughter, I knew a very special man was needed
to save Maria. I never doubted you were that man.
My life has taken a new turn. The concert in New
York provided an opportunity for George and me to meet with some producers. I
am now scheduled to star in a musical which will open in New York in two
months. The rehearsals have already started. I am very excited.
But I also battle with melancholy. I have no right
to feel blue. George has turned most of the work of his agency over to others
and now concentrates on my career. Lilly and Floyd are with me and, as always,
they are wonderful. I live in a fine house, though it is rented. I am not
prepared to give up my home in Dallas. I guess the Songbird of the West feels a
bit out of place in New York City.
I pray for your safety. I know, first hand, how
dangerous your work can be and the importance of that work for many people.
Carrie Whiting and Maria Martino are two people you have rescued. I am sure
there are many others.
Please write when you get the chance. I am always
pleased to hear from a friend in Dallas. I hope this letter finds you happy and
well.
Dehner would
reread the letter many times that night. He would wonder if there was a message
for him between the lines. Should he take some time off and go to New York to
attend the opening of the new musical starring Carrie Whiting? He knew from
past experiences that Carrie would be surrounded by important people: prominent
politicians, high society types, wealthy businessmen and, of course, a crowd of
reporters. He’d be lucky to be able to say hello to the woman. Still…
He couldn’t come up with an answer. Finally,
in exasperation he spoke to an empty room.
“Men are fools,”
he said.
Monday: A new Rance Dehner western
adventure: The Silent Child
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