Mountains of Dawn

Charles stood and refilled the wine glasses. "Where do they plan to go from there, Judith?" he asked.

"I've been told Mr. Clark plans to hire a new person from the police department. He's just a constable, but he has a lot of experience with explosives," Judith replied.

Charles looked thoughtful. He ate some of his potatoes, then turned to Judith again. "It sounds as if they might have more than one case."

They ate in silence for a while, gradually whittling away at the mountain of food.

"What are your plans, Tanya?" Judith asked as she pushed her plate away, still partially filled with her third helping.

"I intend to follow Malcolm's instructions. Keep a low profile, just go to classes and the library occasionally. I have just one seminar left. I'll graduate in the spring." She smiled and winked at Edda. "Edda, will you do the honors? I think it's time for dessert."

With a twinkle in her eye, Edda left the table and closed the door to the kitchen behind her. She was gone only moments. As she entered the dining room once more, Tanya turned out the lights. A brilliant glow entered with Edda.

She set a blazing platter of crepes Suzette on the table, the flames from the brandy catching a warm glow in Charles' eyes as he watched Judith haloed in its light.

The dinner party helped, but Tanya still felt restless. Christmas loomed, just a few short weeks away. She had a childlike desire to see the decorations in the shops, the lights around homes, all the glimmer and glitz of the season.

"Charles, don't you think we could go shopping? I mean, half a day in downtown Toronto, looking at the holiday decorations, wandering through the stores…maybe a nice dinner out, for a change." Charles had the long-suffering look of a man who has followed a shopping woman in the past. Tanya laughed, poked her fingers into the sides of his mouth and pushed up, to form a smile. Charles laughed. "There, that's better. Come on, Charles, it'll be fun."

Edda chimed in, as excited as Tanya. "Oh, yes, Charles, come on. It will be perfectly safe, we'll both be with her." She looked thoughtful. "Maybe cover her up good with scarves and hats, and no one would recognize her. We all need to get out for a bit."

Charles sighed. "All right, but we have to be back before nightfall. No dinner out." Tanya pouted. "Well, maybe lunch, but back before dark."