Mrs. Dilon was not an unattractive woman but she was by no means sensuous. She was just a regular bored housewife with children. When they had first shown up at her home, she had claimed to not even recognize George. But they quickly realized this was simply because he was garbed in civilian clothing. After that, she gladly welcomed them in. They asked to speak with her privately and Mr. Dilon was hesitant at first but then his wife convinced him it was all right. So Mr. Dilon had scooped up their youngest boy, the same one George remembered picking up himself during the Cabbagetown evacuation the previous month. Finally he understood how they were connected.

When they had some privacy in the parlour room, he retrieved the most recent letter and held it up in the light so that she could not have mistaken the colour...or its contents.

"Mrs. Dilon," said George, "while I'm flattered that you think so highly of me, well, I must insist that you desist in writing these letters to me. They are making me most uncomfortable."

"I'm sorry but you have the wrong person," she said confusedly, hands in her lap. Tess noticed that they were not twitching or restless in any way. "Whatever you think I wrote, I didn't."

"Mrs. Dilon," said Tess, "this is a very serious offence. You could be fined heavily for writing such inappropriate material to a constable."

She didn't know if that was true or not but decided to try and rattle her a bit.

"As I've already told you," the dark haired woman replied, "I don't know what you're talking about."

George looked at Tess and whispered, "Maybe it isn't her?"

Implying that Tess herself was wrong. Whether because she didn't want that to be the case or because her instinct was telling her this was their woman, she decided to push even harder.

Tess snatched the letter out of George's hand and began reciting it aloud.

"My dearest love, you have bewitched me body and soul." Instantly, she knew this wasn't one she had read before. It was surprising how much more embarrassing this was to read out loud but she persevered regardless. "I long to know you better than I know myself." She looked up at Mrs. Dilon to see her reaction, but as of yet, there was nothing, other than confusion. "I long to hold you in my arms and feel the warmth of your body against mine. We could make beautiful music together you and I, positively heavenly. Even the angels themselves would weep if they could witness our love..."

Tess could not read the next part, it became rather explicit after that point. Thankfully she didn't have to because Mrs. Dilon had stood up and was now stroking George's face! He was trying to get her to stop but she kept at it and Tess didn't know whether to be outraged at such a bizarre occurrence or to laugh.

"Mrs. Dilon, please!" he said grabbing her wrists.

She seemed thrilled by his touch. "Mildred, my name is Mildred. Please call me that from now on."

"No, I don't think I will!" he responded flustered by her continued advances. "If your husband could see you now-"

"Husband?" she asked, confused. "I don't have a husband."

Tess and George shared a look. "You most certainly do, Mrs. Dilon! He answered the door!"

The thirty year old lady glanced at Tess. "Who's she?" she said sulkily, crossing her arms against her chest. "I thought we were alone."

Tess was completely mystified as to what was going on but George seemed to have some clue, judging by his current expression.

"Stay here," he commanded, whether to her or Mildred, she wasn't sure but she sat down again even though the woman was staring daggers at her.

A short while later, George returned with Mr. Dilon. The tall man took one look at his wife and said, "Damn. I thought we had cured her."

He sighed and stood in front of his wife, trying to get her attention. Currently she only had eyes for George. "Deloris, it's me, Charles, your husband. Can you hear me?"

Deloris? I thought her name was Mildred?

"Deloris," he tried again, this time touching her forearm.

Mrs. Dilon jumped a foot and then blinked rapidly several times. Finally she focused on her husbands face.

"Charles," she said surprised. She looked around the room, her eyes widening. "What's going on?"

"It's complicated, dear. I'll explain in just a little while. But first I need to have a word with the nice policeman."

They headed outside of the parlour room and Tess followed. Charles was going to object but George said it was fine.

"What has she done this time?"

Tess showed him the letter after George prompted.

"Dear God!" he said in a hushed tone. "This is much worse than the last time!" He looked at George beseechingly. "You won't be arresting her, will you?"

"On what grounds, sir? She hasn't broken the law, she, or rather, Mildred, is just expressing herself inappropriately."

"I do apologize most profusely for that. Thank you for bringing this to my attention, constable. I will deal with this from here on out."

"How exactly?" asked Tess.

Mr. Dilon seemed pained. "By taking her for another treatment at the asylum."

Oh so she's insane! Now I get it!

"Hopefully Dr. Roberts will be able to finally get down to the bottom of her issues."

George gave an apologetic face. "I'm sorry to be the one to inform you of this, sir, but Dr. Roberts no longer works at the asylum."

"He doesn't? Why on earth not?"

"It's complicated," said George. "But there is an equally competent doctor there who can help your wife, a Dr. Ogden. She's had previous experience with this type of problem."

"Well, if you say so. At any rate, he can't make Deloris any worse."

"Actually, sir, Dr. Ogden is a woman."

Mr. Dilon frowned at that. "I don't know..."

Tess felt it necessary to speak up. "Maybe a woman's touch is exactly the sort of thing your wife needs? It seems apparent that men trigger her...impulses."

"Hmm, perhaps you are on to something, miss. Well, if you'll excuse me, I have to tend to my wife and I have many arrangements to make now. I trust you can see yourselves out."

They spared one more glance at a puzzled Mrs. Dilon before leaving their residence.

Poor woman. I can't imagine...

"That was rather unexpected!" she exclaimed.

"That's an understatement," replied George.

"Do you think this is the end of your admirer?"

He nodded. "If anyone can help her, it's Dr. Ogden."

They walked in silence for awhile. She brought up the ghost case again and learned that it had simply been another unusual event perpetrated by a human. She gave him her condolences. More silence. Before long they would reach her apartment. Judging by the way things turned out last time, this might well be her last chance to ask him something she deemed important, if for nothing other than to satisfy her curiousity. After a few more seconds hesitation, she worked up the nerve.

Without missing a beat she said, "Did you ever have feelings for me?"

"What?!" he yelped as if scalded.

She waited for him to calm down and respond.

"Look, Tess," he said avoiding eye contact, "that was a long time ago..."

"I am well aware of that, George, but you still haven't answered my question."

"You intrigued me a great deal, I'll give you that."

"George."

"Fine! Yes! I had feelings for you! There are you happy now?!"

"Yes," she responded, smiling, happy in the knowledge that her infatuation hadn't been single sided or a product of her vivid imagination. Though the realization that she had not been good enough for him still stung.

"I'm not sure why you wanted to know but-"

"It's all right, George. I know you are courting Dr. Grace now."

He did a double take. "You do?! How?!"

"I'm a private investigator, it's my business to know. Are you planning on marrying her?"

He was silent for some time. "Yes, I believe so."

"I wish you all the best, you deserve to be happy. Just don't wait too long to ask her, George, or she might get tired of waiting."

It's possible that she had meant that as a way to chastise him to some degree for leaving her hanging all this time but she couldn't be positive. Certainly she was not going to throw herself at him like Mrs. Dilon had. She had far more self respect than that, though admittedly, Mrs. Dilon hadn't exactly had any say so in the matter. Still, Tess was quite determined to get over him. If this case had taught her anything, it was that pining for a certain constable was unhealthy. And as it was, her mental acuity had been called in to question on several occasions due to her strange beliefs. So she would finally allow Jessica to set her up with one of her male friends. As soon as she consciously made the decision to move forward with her life, she felt much better.

"I'll keep that in mind, Tess." They had reached her apartment building and shared a look. "Well, I suppose this is goodbye."

"Yes, I suppose."

"Thank you for all your help in this matter, Tess." He pulled out his wallet. "How much do I owe you?"

She considered charging nothing but then remembered the state of her finances. "Two dollars, please."

Raising an eyebrow, "My, that is a bit steep, don't you think?"

Tess simply smiled at him and held out her hand.


Y'all ready for tonight! It's gonna be epic! :D