| Subject: The New World - Part #28 |
Author:
Wanda
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Date Posted: 07:24:37 06/14/03 Sat
PART #28
The doctor lifted Catherine from the floor, and suggested she be taken back to her room at the hotel. Joshua’s body was taken to the undertaker’s office until his wife could make arrangements as to what to do with the body. After Catherine was placed in bed, the doctor spooned some laudanum into her mouth. He said to those who were standing around the bed, “The best thing for her now is to sleep. I will have my wife come, and sit with her.”
After a few hours, Catherine awakened. She had been having terrible nightmares. She dreamed that Joshua had been killed. She awakened moaning, “Joshua, where are you?” The doctor’s wife patted her arm, and said, “Catherine, I am Dr. Paul’s wife, Laetitia. Are you all right?” Catherine tried to sit up in bed, and realized how groggy she was. Her head felt woozy, and her mouth was dry.
Realization came to her, and she said, “Could you tell me what has happened? I do remember that a doctor told me Joshua is dead.” The woman said, “You are referring to my husband, Dr. Paul.” “Is it true, then, that Joshua is dead?” asked Catherine. Laetitia said, “Yes, my dear, I am sorry it is true.” “Do you know what happened to cause his death?” Catherine asked. “I really don’t know the particulars, other than there was an argument that broke out between your husband and another man who were playing cards. The other man reached for a gun, and shot your husband,” said Laetitia.
There was a soft tapping on the door of Catherine’s room. Laetitia went to the door, and opened it. Dr. Paul walked into the room followed by another man with a badge. They were carrying a satchel that was placed on the table. Dr. Paul introduced the other man as Sheriff LeFleur. The man who was Sheriff LeFleur pulled up a chair; and said, “I can give you the information regarding your husband’s death, if you would like to know.” Catherine shook her head, and said, “Yes, I would like to know what happened.” He said, “Your husband was playing cards, as I assume you already know, and he was accused of cheating at the game. Your husband became argumentative; and the man who accused him pulled out a gun, and shot him in the chest.”
Catherine nodded her head; and said, “I can’t believe that Joshua would cheat at cards. He was too much a gentleman. Besides Joshua is a wealthy man; why would he cheat?” Sheriff LeFleur said, “Madame, it is true he was cheating. I found extra cards in his sleeves.” Catherine was shocked at hearing this news. Why would Joshua do such a foolish thing? She could not understand any of this.
Dr. Paul said, “We brought this satchel back to you that he had with him.” The bag is filled with money. Is there some reason your husband would have this much money on his person?” Catherine said, “Yes, there is a reason; we brought a painting here from Lake Charles to be picked up by a buyer.” Sheriff LeFleur asked, “Do you know who purchased the painting?” Catherine said, “No, I don’t know the buyer’s name. Joshua handled that, and I did not see the buyer. I was shopping for my wedding dress while Joshua took care of meeting with the buyer of the painting. We were married this evening here in the hotel lobby.”
The sheriff said, “How well did you know your husband?” Catherine said, “I recently came from England, and met my husband a day after I arrived here.” Sherriff LeFleur said, “You didn’t know your husband prior to that time?” Catherine said, “No, I had never met him before.” “Did you realize your husband was a gambler?” asked Dr. Paul. “I did not realize that until tonight,” answered Catherine.
Catherine was asked what she wanted to do about the body. The doctor said, “I would recommend the body be cremated, since you will be traveling back to Lake Charles; and it will take a few days to return.”
Catherine’s head was spinning; and she thought, “How can I be making decisions like this when I have been married only a few hours?” She was having a difficult time with her emotions, and Laetitia said, “Why don’t you let Catherine get some more rest. She can make these decisions a little later.” The doctor suggested she take some more of the laudanum. Catherine said, “No, I do not want to take more medicine. She straightened her back, toughened her resolve, and said, “If there are decisions that must be made, then I will make them. It is not going to get any easier if I wait several more hours. Dr. Paul, if you feel that cremation would be best, then let’s proceed with that. I will want to take the ashes back to Lake Charles to my husband’s home.”
Sheriff LeFleur asked, “Is there anything we can do for you?” Catherine said, “I would like to talk to the man who killed Joshua.” Sheriff LeFleur said, “Surely a lady, such as yourself, would not want to talk to that man.” Catherine said, “This lady would like to see, and talk with that man.” Dr. Paul said, “He is at the city jail; are you really sure you want to do this?” Catherine said, “There is absolutely no doubt in my mind. If you will give me ten minutes, I will be dressed and ready to go.” The sheriff said, “We will wait for you in the lobby.”
To be continued...
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