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head, sighed, sat down and did what I was told. I finished my lunch.

    Chapter Four

    At three o'clock in the afternoon, it started getting very dark and windy and the temperature dropped at least twenty degrees.
    "It's getting a little chilly. Why don't we go in the other room and light a fire?" Maggie suggested.
    "Need a hand?" I held out my hand and helped her up.
    As we walked through the foyer, I looked out the window to see Chance snooping around the front yard. Maggie saw her too.
    "Why don't you get her? I'm sure the poor thing is cold. Bring her in by the fire," she offered.
    I opened the door and whistled. Chance looked up, saw me and started racing for the door. She was dirty around her snout so I knew she'd been digging at something. She came to the door and sat staring up at me.
    I wagged my finger and tried my best role playing of mistress and canine. "Man, you better behave yourself or I'll put you right in the car."
    Then I remembered I had no car in which to put her. So much for my threat. Chance followed me down the hall as I went in the direction Maggie had gone with her cane. I stood in a massive doorway and looked into an expansive room. The opposite wall had two big French doors, which led out onto a huge deck and the surrounding woods. A couch right in front of the fireplace and two overstuffed chairs to the left, separated by a table, gave the room a cozy, comfortable feeling.
    Maggie stood by the fireplace struggling to get the wood. As she awkwardly gathered the wood, it was obvious her ankle was causing her pain. I thought I would offer my expertise. "Why don't you let me do that? I love playing with fire."
    "Why does that not surprise me?" Maggie replied as she stood back.
    In minutes, I had a roaring fire going. Fires were one of my specialties, and even I had to admire it. I turned to see my dog on Maggie's lap, sleeping.
    Suddenly, there was a clap of thunder. Chance yapped and jumped off Maggie's lap and scooted under the coffee table.
    "What a coward," I said shaking my head as I sat next to Maggie on the couch.
    "Leave that poor dog alone," Maggie scolded and I turned to face her.
    I was going to argue with her but was tired of quarreling. Besides, she looked exhausted.
    "It's been a long day, hasn't it?" I asked quietly.
    "Yes, and interesting," she answered. "While you were in the kitchen with Doc, Aunt Hannah told me your father was a detective. Are you following in his footsteps?"
    "He wanted me to join the force. He came from a long line of policemen and firemen. Seems the thing to be if you're Irish and from Chicago. He could see I had a flair for it, but it wasn't for me. I think he was a little disappointed, although he never let on. I did, however, try my hand at being a private investigator for a few years." I stared at the fire, visions of that night flashing through my mind-- the dark cellar, Bob covered in blood, someone screaming in pain. A cold shiver ran through me now when I remembered I was the one screaming. Lost in my thoughts, I didn't catch Maggie's question. "I'm sorry. What did you say?"
    "I asked what became of your business." She watched me as if I were nuts.
    "Oh, the fun went out of it." What a lame reason, I thought to myself. Looking at her, I could tell she knew I wasn't telling the truth. How in the world could I tell anyone? Dammit, why did she have to ask me? I'm fine when I don't think about it.
    " Not talking or thinking about this will not make it go away. You have to face your demons, Kate," the hospital psychiatrist said, calmly.
    "Don't patronize me! You don't think I know that?" I yelled and slammed my fist on her desk.
    All at once, my heart started pounding in my chest and the claustrophobic feeling started. Don't start this again, I begged the gods above. But they didn't seem to hold me in very high regard these days. Beads of perspiration broke out on my brow and I hastily wiped them away and walked over to the fire. Maggie said nothing but I was