Page 27 of Hoodoo House
“Got it caught on a length of barbwire. They wanted me to go to a hospital, but I just washed it up and stitched it myself. More tea?” she asked.
“Please,” he said. He took a sip. “Honestly, I think this is the best tea I’ve ever had.”
“Mr Pritchard used to order it in from a small shop in Ladysmith on Vancouver Island. I’ve just sort of stuck with it.”
“He was one of the writers-in-residence, wasn’t he?” Declan asked.
“He was. And a wonderful gentleman to boot.”
“How long did you know him?”
“Well, let’s see,” she pondered. “Thomas started in 1988, I believe, and I was hired on a year later.”
Declan could see her relaxing. “So, you didn’t work for Marjorie Ellis?”
“No, I never had the pleasure. Thomas came to Hoodoo House after the foundation that runs this place was established, and I was hired to help keep the place in order. He was a good man but just couldn’t keep house to save his life.”
Declan smiled. “It must have been hard when he passed,” he said.
She nodded.
“And was Mr Pritchard followed immediately by Mr Tull?”
“Too soon after, if you ask me.”
Declan noticed a change in her demeanour. “And how did working for him compare to Mr Pritchard?”
“I didn’tworkfor Thomas. At least it never felt like it. With Mr Tull it was all work, and not pleasant work at that.”
“How would you describe him?” Declan inquired.
She laughed. “He was a miserable bastard and I can’t say that I’m sorry he’s gone. I don’t think that man enjoyed much of anything.”
“Surely he enjoyed writing?” Declan asked.
“Well, he constantly complained about his publisher and editor—”
“The editor being Mr Yamada?”
She nodded. “Yes. They fought often, and their last fight was a doozy.”
“Do you know what the fight was about?”
“I couldn’t make it out clearly. From the sound of his voice, Mr Tull had been drinking and was in a foul mood. I can’t remember exactly how the argument started, but I distinctly remember hearing Mr Yamada yell something about Mr Tull turning something over to him. Mr Tull said he would make Mr Yamada pay—and no, I wasn’t listening at the door. They were yelling so loudly you probably could have heard them from the road.”
“What happened next?”
“Mr Yamada stormed out.”
Declan nodded. “Do you remember when this happened?” Declan asked.
“Of course. It was the evening before Mr Tull’s body was discovered.”
Interesting. Yamada never mentioned the fight.
Declan noticed that Mrs Cameron’s mug was empty. He picked up the teapot and asked, “May I fill you up?”
“Thank you,” she replied.
