Page 41 of City of the Dead

“Sounds like you two got along.”

“We did when we had contact,” said Blanding. “Which wasn’t often. As you’ve probably seen, Cordi and Renni had…issues. I chose to sidestep.”

“Probably a smart move, Doctor.”

Blanding looked at us balefully. “My brother has two stepkids and they hate his guts. At the outset I decided to avoid conflict.”

I said, “Was that a challenge with Cordi?”

“Not really, no. She was already living away from home.” He hazarded another sip, pursed his lips. “Cordi had problems, who doesn’t? But at the core, she was a lovely girl. Bright, personable, lots of potential. I guess some things come down to luck.”

“Hers wasn’t good?”

“Did Renni tell you about her early days?”

“She did.”

“So you understand. Neither Renni nor I grew up with money but ultimately, we’ve been fortunate. By the time I got to know Cordi she was eighteen and had been through a lot. Another reason not to get involved.”

I said, “Because…”

“I figured she was pretty much formed. And it’s not like she was asking me for my advice.”

He drank more coffee. “This really is lousy…to be honest, what I’d like right now is some bourbon but you can’t be poking around ear canals with an unsteady hand.”

I said, “So you had no intention of molding her personality.”

“None whatsoever. It’s like the septum. That’s a wall of bone and cartilage that separates the nostrils. In most adults it’s deviated—bent out of shape. Some people are born that way, others get knocked in the nose. Generally it’s not a big deal but when problems arise—breathing issues, sleep apnea—patients come in for a straightening. We do our best but we’re up-front. The septum’s a stubborn bit of gristle that keeps wanting to return to the way it was. Sometimes we get lucky. Other times?”

Blanding shrugged.

I said, “When it came to Cordi, you chose your battles.”

“I choose not to battle at all,” he said. “What would be the point? Not just with Cordi, I apply that to my own son. He’s a good kid but he’s not perfect. Super-smart, has finally developed a few friends we like. But when the mood hits him, he mouths off. What kid doesn’t? What kid toes the line a hundred percent? When Aaron gets pissy I first try to reason with him, figure the more responsibility he takes the better. But if that doesn’t work, I back off. The way I see it, if he chooses not to study for a test and bombs, that’s on him. If he chooses not to go to Harvard, who the heck cares? But that’s just me.”

“Your wife has a different philosophy.”

Blanding rotated his coffee cup with strong dexterous fingers. “Renni’s highly invested in Aaron. And yes, in answer to your next question, as opposed to Cordi. Is that unfortunate? You bet. Did Renni actually get into details about those early days?”

Milo said, “Homeless, then in a shelter, waiting tables, trying to make ends meet.”

Greg Blanding grew silent.

“Doctor?”

“So she didn’t tell you about her illness.”

Milo said, “Your wife’s or Cordi’s?”

“Do we need to get into it?” said Blanding.

“You brought it up, Doctor.”

“So I did.” Long sigh. “You’re detectives, you could find out on your own—but please don’t mention this to my wife. She’s entitled to her privacy.”

“Sure,” said Milo.

“Renni has suffered from rheumatoid arthritis for years. So far, it’s relatively well controlled. But when it acts up, life can be painful for her. I’m telling you this so you’ll understand my wife.”

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