Case Closed by Jan Burke Page A

neighbor?” Winston asked, fingering his heavy gold watch chain.
    â€œMy youngest is ill,” my father said firmly. “I would not have you disturb him.”
    My father’s lack of hospitality did not delay Winston from his mission. He took a deep breath, and said in a loud voice, “I fear for my community, for my neighbors and their families! I know you’re scared for what remains of yours, too. I can see it in your eyes, Arden. Rebecca took the boys, then they took Sarah. Now, Sarah’s taking Nathan. John and Noah will follow, and you’ll be last. Julia may be far away enough to be safe, but there is no certainty of that.”
    â€œMy family’s safety is my own concern, Winston.”
    â€œYour obligation is greater than you perceive, Arden!” Winston shot back. “The vampires look beyond your family! Lavinia Gardner has the consumption.”
    â€œIsaac’s wife is ill?” my father asked, dismayed.
    â€œYes. And she’s dreamt of your wife! There’s only one way to stop this—the ritual must be performed! It has worked for Robinson, and others as well. This is a warning, Arden! If you’re afraid to do what is necessary, I’ll do it myself!”
    â€œYou’ll go nowhere near the graves of my beloved!” Father shouted. “I know of your ritual, Winston. I’ve spoken with Robinson. He’s not the same man—he’s alive, but he looks for all the world as if he believes himself damned.”
    â€œNonsense!” Winston blustered. “What’s more important, Arden? Maintaining your own selfish prejudices, or the survival of Carrick Hollow? Our eldest sons and daughters are fleeing—they’ve taken factory jobs in Providence and Fall River.”
    â€œThere are many reasons they leave. You have no wife or children, Winston. Allow me to take care of my own.”
    â€œA fine job you’re doing of it! Half of them dead!”
    Noah stepped forward, his fists clenched. I could not make out what he said to Winston.
    â€œNoah,” my father said, “it’s all right. Try though he may, Mr. Winston can not harm me with his words.”
    â€œThink of your neighbors, Arden!” Winston said. “Think of Isaac if you won’t think of your own sons!” He turned on his heel and strode quickly down the lane, dried leaves swirling in his wake.
    â€œJohnny?” I heard a small voice say.
    I turned from the window to see Nathan watching me. “So you’re awake, Mr. Sleepyhead!”
    â€œI heard Mr. Winston yelling at Papa.”
    â€œYes, and had I known you were awake, I would have opened the window and used this fine slingshot to knock old Thunderpuss’s fancy derby right off his silly head.”
    Nathan smiled and said, “I should have liked to have seen you do it,” and went back to sleep.
    The thaw broke the day Lavinia Gardner died. Isaac Gardner came to visit us two weeks later. Noah stayed with Nathan as I sat with Father, watching Isaac wring his hands.
    â€œYou know what I think of Winston,” he began. “And I would not come to trouble you, Amos, except—except that, before she died, Lavinia called Sarah’s name several times.”
    â€œOur wives were good friends,” my father said.
    Isaac shook his head. “That’s not what I mean, Amos. I mean, called her name as if she were within speaking distance. I’d tell her, ‘Sarah’s dead,’ and she’d say, ‘No, Sarah Arden is rattling me again. She comes at night and shakes me and the cough starts up.’ ”
    My father sat in stunned silence.
    â€œYour wife was very ill—” I began gently.
    â€œYes, John,” Isaac said, “and I told myself that she was right out of her head, although of course Neighbor Winston had a good deal to say otherwise, and he’s caught my daughter’s ear. Even before Jane took ill, she was asking me