Anna sat in the front of the church her eyes staring straight ahead at the coffin. The service had ended about thirty minutes earlier and after thanking the people who had attended the service, Anna along with her best friend Gwen had found themselves alone in the church. It was hard to believe Jackson was in there, or what was left of him anyway. Anna frowned at her gruesome thoughts. She turned to look at Gwen, who offered her a slight smile and squeezed her hand. Anna started to speak but stopped when she noticed someone walking towards the coffin. She frowned at the man, as he looked down at the coffin. He appeared to try and open it but frowned in disgust when it was obvious it wouldn't open. He turned to leave and Anna followed him with her eyes as he joined another man and a woman who must have just entered the church. They hadn't been there a few moments ago. He shook his head and all three looked at the coffin and then at Anna before turning to leave.
Anna frowned as Gwen spoke, "Did you recognize any of those people?"
Anna shook her head, "Business associates, I would imagine, though I have never seen them at any social or business event before."
"How strange, and did he try to open the coffin?"
"I thought so, but why?" She looked at her watch and stood up. "I have to go and speak with Inspector Barrow. He asked that I stop in his office."
"Do you want me to go with you?"
Anna shook her head, "Thank you, but I'll be okay. I guess they found some of Jackson's belongings in a dumpster close to where he died, they want me to go over them and see if I recognize anything."
Anna looked at the coffin on final time, offering a silent prayer to her husband before turning to follow Gwen out the door.
Anna sat in a chair and looked at Inspector Barrow across the desk. He was sitting with his hands crossed and looking at her.
"Did you and Mr. Smith have a happy marriage?"
Anna shook her head, "Not really, in fact while in New York I had come to the decision to ask for a divorce."
"Was Mr. Smith aware of this?
"I can't see how he would have been, since we never had a chance to speak after I made the decision."
"It's all rather convenient, isn't Mrs. Smith?"
Anna frowned, "I'm not sure I understand your meaning Inspector."
"I imagine any divorce would have been prolonged and bitter, and with Mr. Smith's death you avoid all of that."
"Inspector Barrow, are you insinuating I had something to do with my husband's death?"
Barrow held up his hands in mock surrender, "Not at all, just making a statement."
"Fine. I believe you have some things you want me to look at?"
He nodded and reached for sealed evidence bag, and opened it up pulling out several items. He verbally listed each item as he removed it, "One key for a London flat, one comb, one container of shaving cream, a small bottle of vodka, a post card from the Tower of London with stamps but not mailed or addressed, a tube of tooth paste and a one ruby red lipstick, opened but apparently unused. Do any of these mean anything to you?"
Anna frowned as she looked at the pile of items in front of her. The only thing she even recognized was the flat key. Everything else seemed random and made no sense to her. She shook her head, "I'm sorry Inspector but I don't recognize anything beyond the flat key."
Barrow sighed in frustration as he placed the items back in the bag before sealing it again and handing it to her. We have already looked over these items for clues, so being Mr. Smith's next of kin they now belong to you.
Anna reached for the bag, standing at the same time. "Am I free to go?"
At Barrow's nod she turned and left, closing the door behind her.
Anna walked back into her empty flat, looking around with sadness. It had always felt huge to her with all its rooms but now it seemed cavernous with almost nothing in it. She walked into the sitting room and headed for the fireplace where all her suitcases were. She sat down on one of them and looked around the vast and empty room. She was startled by steps heading towards the room and tensed up as she saw a shadow in the doorway. She couldn't make out any details only that it appeared to be a tall man. She let out her breath when the shadow entered the room and exclaimed, "Mr. Bates!"
John Bates smiled as he walked towards her, "Hello Anna, I'm sorry if I startled you, I rang the bell but it didn't work."
Anna shook her head, "The power has been turned off, you almost missed me, I was just getting ready to leave."
"I wanted to say I was sorry about your husband, I read about it in the paper this morning. The article mentioned your address so I thought I would come over and see if I could help you in anyway."
"That's very nice of you Mr. Bates."
"Please call me John."
Anna smiled slightly, "Well John, you don't happen to know of a cheap boarding house that I could stay at? I'm embarrassed to admit but most of my money is actually Jackson's money so my funds are severely limited. I called in a favor with another friend who has generously offered me a copy-writing position at a small publication house she runs, but the the pay is low so I have to be careful until I get back on my feet.
John nodded, "I may be able to help you out, let me make a quick call."
Anna watched as he pulled out his cell phone and walked towards the door in hopes of getting a better signal, he must have been satisfied because he dialed a number, speaking for a few moments before disconnecting the call. He turned and walked back towards Anna.
"My friend assures me he has a room for you at his boarding house that is ready to occupy. So if you are ready to go, I can take you there." He offered his hand.
Anna nodded and took his hand, allowing him to pull her up. She looked up at him as she stood, her eyes immediately drawn to his. She swallowed and slowly removed her hand, she cleared her throat. "Thank you John."
John smiled down at her, his eyes crinkling in the corners, "You're welcome, Anna."
He reached for the heaviest of her bags and walked towards the entrance. Anna noticed for the first time that he had a slight limp. She opened her mouth to ask him about it, but quickly closed it. It wasn't any of her business really. She picked up a few of her smaller bags and followed him out of the room.
Anna looked around her room, it was small but serviceable. The best part about it was that it had a private bath and a small hot plate for making tea and small meals. She turned as she heard a knock on the door and quickly walked over to open it, revealing John on the other side. He held out some paperwork.
"Just wanted to give you this before I left, Charles says you are welcome to stay as long as you want, and if there is anything you need please don't hesitate to call and ask him."
"I'm very grateful to both you and Mr. Carson. I don't know how I will ever repay you."
John smiled, "I have an idea if you are up for it? There is a club not too far from here putting on an interactive show tonight; I thought it might be a good way to cheer you up."
Anna smiled, "That sounds lovely."
John looked at his watch, "Shall I pick you up around seven then? Maybe we can have a bite to eat after the show?"
Anna smiled, "I would really like that."
John nodded, and reached for her hand, once again kissing it gently like that day in New York a few days ago. "I will see you at seven then Anna."
Anna watched as he left the room, a small smile on her face. John Bates was certainly charming and Anna couldn't help but like him. Shaking her head, to refocus her thoughts she turned and started unpacking, but she couldn't help but think about what she could wear to impress John for their evening out in a few hours.
John quickly left the boarding house, offering a wave to Charles. He reached for his phone, pulling it out and scrolling through the numbers until he found the one he wanted. He hit the call icon and waiting a few moments until the call was picked up. "It's me. Yeah, I am taking her out tonight, so it's a perfect time to look through the room for the item. She is in room 9. Just be careful and make sure you put everything back the way you found it, we don't want her to know anyone was searching through her things." He hung up and looked up at the rooms, quickly finding hers. He watched it for a few moments before turning and leaving.