Page 20 of Justice Delayed

They stood in the moonlight near by the gate.

Goodbye, my darling, I know you’ll wait.

She ceased her weeping and smiled through tears

Saying, “I’ve been true love through these long years.”

For on tomorrow at the break of day,

He was to journey far, far away

He held her closer, his promised bride.

Her voice choked as memories of Sudie singing that same song in her quavering voice flooded her mind. Melender’s fingers slipped off the dulcimer, and one of the strings snapped with a ping. In the sudden silence, the shop’s grandfather clock chimed five o’clock.

“That was magnificent.” Mr. Trent spoke softly, as if hesitant to intrude.

“I broke one of the strings.” Melender brushed the back of her hand across her wet cheeks, then bowed her head. She hadn’t cried this much since her first night in prison, when she vowed never to cry again, a promise she’d kept for seventeen long years.

“Jimmy can fix it,” Mr. Trent said.

Melender met Mr. Trent’s gaze. “Thank you for letting me play this beautiful instrument.”

“Your voice is astounding.” Mr. Trent touched the instrument. “I don’t suppose you would be willing to sing and play for a little gathering I’m having for some of my academic friends?”

Melender frowned. “I don’t sing in public.”

“It’s not open for the public.” Mr. Trent didn’t keep the eager note from his voice. “Next month, I’m previewing parts of a new book I’m working on about modern American folk songs to some of my musicology colleagues.”

“I don’t know any modern folk songs.” Melender tried to discourage the well-meaning Mr. Trent. If he knew her background, he wouldn’t be asking her to perform.

“You could sing whatever you’d like. I would be honored to lend you the dulcimer for practice.” Mr. Trent smiled. “Once it’s fixed.”

Drat the man for tempting her with the lure of the instrument, but Melender firmed her resolve. “I’m sorry, Mr. Trent. I can’t accommodate your request.” She turned to leave. “Mr. Jimmy, see you later.”

Melender fled the store as fast as she could without breaking into a run. Behind her, Mr. Trent discussed her decision with Mr. Jimmy, but she ignored them both. If she stayed a second longer, she would cave and accept his offer for the chance to take home that beautiful instrument. But Mr. Trent’s reputation would have been in shreds had her identity as a convicted felon been revealed. She might have the voice of an angel, but her background labeled her a devil.

* * *

Quentin frownedas he paced on the veranda, the only place he could be assured of privacy. The private investigator Quentin had hired that morning to keep an eye on Melender’s movements was late in calling with an update. The sun might have set an hour ago, but the temperature had barely dipped below ninety degrees. He hated August in Northern Virginia. Usually, they spent the month in their summer home near Bar Harbor, Maine. However, his chief lobbyist had recommended sticking closer to Washington to solidify their strategy for getting the votes to pass a bill that would bring his energy company a lot of business. Even though Congress wasn’t in session, there was enough behind-the-scenes strategizing to set the stage for September’s return to session.

His phone buzzed, and Quentin answered with a clipped, “Yes.”

“She went to Fox’s Music Store in Falls Church,” said P.I. Dillion Raines.

“What did she do there?” The last thing Quentin needed was more surprises from his niece.

“Talked to the owner, a Mr. Jimmy Stork, and a customer, Mr. Nolan Trent.”

“Who’s Trent?” Quentin paused near the far end of the porch to gaze out into the landscaped backyard. Lightening bugs blinked in the gloom, the flashes of light more annoying than soothing.

“A musicologist.”

“A what?” Quentin didn’t care that he sounded irritated. With what he was paying Raines, the man should call on time and not expect common courtesy.

“Trent collects and studies American folk music. He’s considered an expert on Appalachian folk songs and has written several popular books on the topics.”

“Anything else?” Who cared if Melender visited music stores in her free time? He was hoping for something meatier that he could use against her in case she started causing trouble.

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