Grime and Punishment

thoughtful gifts. I loved him for good reason, Uncle Jim,“ she said, hating the tears that were running down her face and unable to stop them. “And the kids did too. He was a wonderful father. Never missed a Little League game or Boy Scout camp-out. One time he canceled an important business trip because Katie had her first piano recital—Oh, dear... you’d think I’d be better at crying after all the practice I’ve had. Excuse me a minute, please.”
    She ran inside to collect herself. After some furious nose-blowing, she washed her face, put on fresh makeup, and returned to the patio. “Thanks for listening, Uncle Jim,“ she said briskly. “Now I need some cheese and crackers to soak up the beer. How about you?“
    “Sounds great, honey,“ he said, tactfully adopting her attitude that everything was normal and the conversation about Steve had never happened.
    She fixed a snack and they talked, very deliberately, of other things, most of them having to do with gardens, all of them innocuous. Willard, hoping the deadly mouse was gone, came skulking back. After a while, Jane’s mind wandered back to the death of the cleaning lady.
    “I’ve been thinking about what Thelma said about the servants when she was a girl—”
    “All horseshit. I’ll bet she grew up in a tarpaper shack with waxed paper for windowpanes.”
    Jane laughed. “Don’t I wish! No, what I meant was the stuff about servants knowing all about you. Didn’t you hear what she said?“
    “I’m sure I heard it, but I’ve gotten good at not paying attention to the woman. You might do well to learn that skill, you know.“
    “I know. But she did say something I’ve been thinking about. Just hear me out, Uncle Jim, and tell me if you think I’m crazy.“ She went on to tell him her suspicions about Edith having gotten into the mysteriously unlocked desk drawer.
    “Suppose she wasn’t trying to steal anything—if it was she who opened it—but was only snooping?”
    Uncle Jim leaned back, propping his big feet on another patio chair. “Damned hard to prove, blackmail. It’s one of the crimes that victims don’t want to admit to. If you tell the police, or even a friend, that you’re being blackmailed, they naturally want to know what for. I’ll run her through the computer for you in the morning, though. Just to see what turns up. Of course, your Detective VanDyne has already done that, but he’s not apt to share it with you.“
    “I’ll say! could you talk to him about it?“
    “Nope. Out of my jurisdiction. If the township asks the metropolitan police for help, they get it. Otherwise, we stay out. Some police departments are real touchy about what they see as interference. I’ll tell you one thing, though, honey, and you’d better pay attention.“
    “Yes, sir!“ she said with a salute. But underneath the affectionate mockery, there was alarm.
    It was unlike him to speak so authoritatively to her.
    “I don’t want you to have that cleaning woman back here for any reason.“
    “Don’t worry. Murder aside, I didn’t like her. And I don’t like even the suspicion that she was pawing through my belongings. The lady I had before wouldn’t so much as open a drawer to get out a dish towel without asking me. I used to think it was a terrible nuisance, but now I’m beginning to see her as an angel. Don’t worry, I won’t let Edith back in the house.“
    “And you’ll lock up real well?“
    “I always do.“
    “No, you don’t. I’ve been here three or four times that you were cooking and just yelled for me to come in.“
    “But that’s when I’m home,“ Jane protested guiltily. She’d gotten very lax about keeping the house locked—until a few days earlier.
    “When you’re home is the only time you can be hurt at home,“ Uncle Jim pointed out sternly. “If you’re going to leave the doors unlocked, you’d be better off to do it when you’re gone than when you’re here.”
    Jane lit a cigarette. “You think there’s really a danger, then?”
    He reached over and patted her arm. “I don’t mean to scare you, honey. No. I don’t think anybody’s after you. But when somebody’s been murdered a few yards away and the murderer hasn’t been identified, well, it’s only reasonable to be safe instead of sorry.”
    They sat quietly for a few minutes before Jim started stirring himself to depart. “Good dinner, Janey.“
    “I’ve got a doggie bag for you. Uncle Jim, do you ever eat real