Chapter56 Two Moms

Beth and Cindy are at the kitchen table trying to work out the latest developments in the haunting, when Anna comes in holding Jean-Louise Wadell; whispering in her ear. Then, Anna places the doll to her ear; nodding like she's agreeing with something Jean-Louise Wadell's telling her. Anna sits down and starts picking up and reading some of the papers lying on the table. Beth and Cindy watch her do this and smile at her. "What?" Anna asks as she smiles back. "Oh…nothing; Sherlock." Beth teases her. "Huh?" "You helping with the case, Sweetie?" "Mommy!" Anna giggles. "Actually;" Cindy looks at Anna while talking to Beth, "we probably could use a young, fresh mind with a new perspective." Cindy asks, "What do you say, Anna; you want to help us?" Anna nods. "Yeah! Both me and Jean-Louise Wadell want to help." Cindy shakes Anna's hand. "Alright, then it's settled…welcome to the team, fellow sleuth." Anna has a puzzled look on her face. "What's a sleuth?" Beth and Cindy look at each other and laugh. Cindy turns to Anna and explains, "It's a detective." "Oh." Anna laughs with them; then reminds Cindy, "Don't forget to shake hands with Jean-Louise Wadell; she's going to help…she wants to be a sleuth, too." Cindy holds the doll's hand between her thumb and index finger while shaking it. "I'm sorry; I forgot. I didn't mean to be rude Jean-Louise; of course you're welcomed on the team. I apologize. Can you ever forgive me?" Anna brings the doll to her ear; then lowers Jean-Louise Wadell and tells Cindy, "That's okay, Cindy; she said she forgives you." Cindy smiles at Anna; then, looks towards the doll. "Thank you, Jean-Louise." "Sweetie; would you and Jean-Louise like a glass of iced tea?" "Yes, Mommy; I would. How about you Jean-Louise?" Anna puts the doll to her ear again; then lowers it and says, "Jean-Louise said no thank you." Beth finishes pouring Anna a glass and puts it down in front of her. "Here you go, Sweetie. Just let me know if Jean-Louise changes her mind and decides she'd like a drink, okay?" "Okay. Thank you, Mommy." Anna takes a sip, puts the glass down, and props Jean-Louise Wadell up on the table; then, proceeds to look through the papers again. Beth and Cindy resume their conversation. About fifteen minutes pass; Anna's looking at the obituary found on Delilah and the photocopied announcement of Chelsea and Charles' birth the professor found at the library. She's reading the papers, going back and forth between the two; then, she puts Jean-Louise Wadell up to her ear again. "I don't know; I'll ask." Anna puts Jean-Louise back down on the table. "Mommy? "Yes, Sweetie?" "These papers. One's about Charles and Chelsea being born; and, the other one's about Charles dying? Are they talking about the same Charles; Mommy?" "Yes, Sweetie." Anna pauses for a moment to look down at the papers again; then, she continues, "Mommy; Jean-Louise was wondering…" "Wondering what, Sweetie?" "If it's the same Charles; then, why are there two different moms?" "What?" Anna hands the papers to Beth. "Look…see." Cindy pulls her chair in closer to look at the papers with Beth. They look at each other when they realize what Anna had just pointed out to them. According to the birth announcement, their mother's name was Helene; but, in the obituary, the mother's name was Lillian May. "What do you think, Cindy?" "Re-marriage maybe?" "Maybe." Beth appears to be troubled to Cindy. "What's wrong, Beth?" "Let's say Phillip Steinman did re-marry…which is possible…but, if Helene was their birth mother; why isn't she named as Charles' mother in the obituary instead of this Lillian May?" "Mommy?" Anna asks, "Jean-Louise was also wondering…how could Charles have been the serial killer if he died when he was three?" "That's a good question, Sweetie." "Mommy?" "Yes, Sweetie." "Jean-Louise wants to know one more thing." "What, Sweetie?" "She wants to know where Tommy is." Beth and Cindy turn and look at each other; then, they both stare at Jean-Louise Wadell. Cindy…who doesn't take her eyes off the doll…asks Anna… "What does Jean-Louise want to know, Anna?" "She wants to know where Tommy is." "Why does she want to know that, Anna?" Cindy's still watching the doll. "She says we need to find Tommy."