Chapter 6

Ruby poked around the front parlour that Julia used for her consulting office. She had a more thorough tour of the house today. The house was not an over-stuffed monstrosity. Thank God, thought Ruby. Julia quipped occasionally about various features of the place, but, Ruby noted, could not keep a little pride out of her voice when showing off her and William's choices. Ruby even managed to keep her mouth shut about the crucifix over the bed in their room…. The urge to give feedback was building. Regarding the parlour she said: "It is very spare in here. Too clinical. You need more personality. I know a lovely decorator…"

Julia finished opening the window and interrupted her. "I like it the way it is. Besides, this space is for my patients and their personalities, not mine." She smiled and chose not to be annoyed. Ruby had been extremely helpful today and Julia was grateful. Ruby also avoided most of the topics of contention that usually came up between them for at least the last 24 hours. Certainly a record, Julia observed. Then again, Ruby wanted something from her….

Julia poured the lemonade and they retreated under the ceiling fan. The sisters marveled at the images that Mina produced on paper that afternoon. Julia had given her large sheets of butcher paper and pencils after their walk. Ruby sat companionably with her until suppertime, offering gentle comments, while Julia completed her medical duties.

"How are you going to help William's case?" asked Ruby, as she got a second glass. .

"I can make a psychological portrait, as it were, of the man—in the same way we have done before in criminal cases. In this case a psychological autopsy, similar to when I was coroner and conducted physical autopsies. William and I have been talking about writing an article together and submitting it to a journal. For instance, Mr Whitley killing himself to spare his family or himself pain is one motivation to examine. The fact the man was a devout Catholic argues that he would be less likely to kill himself. Killing himself in the house while his family was at home, and is such a messy way, I also think argues against suicide, unless part of his motivation was some sort of message or punishment towards his family—to hurt them deliberately in that way."

Ruby shuddered. "That is monstrous!"

"That is human nature, Ruby." Didn't you know?, she aimed silently at her sister. She thought about their father. Julia had never spoken with her sister of how he ended his life. "In an undetermined death, sometimes we have to rely on those clues. It will not stand up to legal scrutiny but hopefully will help William focus the case. I will look at the victim and each family member too since they all have motives."

"Someone will be destroyed by this process, won't they?" murmured Ruby.

Julia paused, unconsciously squared she shoulders, and stood up. "The truth can be like that. Now, help me make dinner. It is almost 7 o'clock and I'm famished."

Dinner was cold beef and vegetables. William was grateful, as it was too hot for anything else. His palate had expanded since being with Julia. He was also gaining a little weight, which disconcerted him. William liked the beef and rather lavishly complemented his wife on the dressing for the vegetables. He had learned this was both the polite and wise thing to do, and it must be said he wanted to praise her in front of her sister. He registered confusion when both women burst out laughing at him.

"I told you so!" crowed Ruby. "I made the meal, not Julia. She said you would be able to tell but I was right."

"Julia, I…er…." He appealed to Julia but she gave him no help. Where did Ruby learn to cook? She has no fixed address!

He composed himself. "Well, I suppose I deserve that. Anyway, Julia, after dinner, where would you like the papers I brought you set up? The basement is at least cooler."

"Yes but the lighting is still bad except over your workbench—I will use this table. We can set up all the table leaves and use it as a work space to organize. If I can't come to any conclusions with the written material, I will most likely need to conduct or at least observe interviews of the suspects if that can be arranged."

Ruby watched as her sister and brother in law laid out papers in piles and threw ideas out to each other. They became so engrossed in what they were doing they quite forgot all about her. She saw them touch hands, brush closely, lean in and speak so intensely with each other. William's face fairly lit up when he smiled broadly and spontaneously, something Ruby had never seen up close before. Interesting… and quite appealing. They finished each other sentences. What a cliché, she thought, but there it was, in front of her. She wasn't sure she liked being ignored, but the rhythm between them fascinated her. She had never actually spent this much time with them, in their personal space. They were just being their natural selves. Is this what cultural anthropology is like ? Snooping in the private lives of people? She wondered. An idea for a new article formed. She got up and found the phone to make a trunk call to her editor in New York, 8 pm be damned. He was still at the office she was sure, and she'll pay for the cost of the call…..