Thirty-Seven
“TOM, CAN YOU PLEASE slow down!” Helen calls as she rushes to catch up with me on the sidewalk.
“No,” I call over my shoulder, “You catch up.”
“I can’t run in these heels.”
“That’s why I’ve told you to wear flats.” I keep up my pace as I hear the frantic tapping of her shoes beginning to fade. Finally, they stop. Curious, I slow my pace.
“Stop! Police!” Helen commands in her most authoritative voice.
I freeze at this and she is soon by my side.
“Now,” she says. “What is this about?”
“I don’t want to say more than I have to until I’m absolutely sure,” I tell her, walking slowly enough now for her to keep up, “but we will know as soon as we get to the Rectory.”
“And will anyone suffer if we walk at a normal pace?” she asks, still nearly trotting alongside me.
“No, I gu
