In recent years he’d listen to my advice more that mum’s lightweight comments in discussion on important matters.’ ‘Mum didn’t want him to s...art the tour company — she wanted nothing to do with it and so he had to sell his mother’s house — she was in a rest home and urged him to do it — to raise the capital. I was still at university and boyfriend at the time was doing law and advised that dad should get a legal agreement — with her cooperation and maintain a clear track of all investment. She was carrying a straw hat and a book of poetry.She placed the hat on his head and grabbed his hand. They walked ontothe porch and down the walkway to the garden. She handed him the book.Inscribed were the words: "To Claire, with love, mother." My grandmother gave this to my aunt Claire," she said. "We're going touse it to help you learn to read and speak properly."Mirilla brought them both lemonade as Charlie struggled to read thepoetry to Mrs. Windham.*****Charlie stared at the nice French. Ed showed his badge and asked to see Mrs. Bynum. The maid asked Ed to wait in the hall and went to get Mrs. Bynum.A pretty woman about 40 came from a room at the rear of the house. She was dressed in a pants suit that Ed could see cost more than he made in a month. Her hair looked like she had just come from a beauty parlor and her makeup was flawless. She approached Ed with a look of consternation on her face."I just talked to you detectives about 2 hours ago," she snapped."Mrs. Bynum, My name. Have you ever thought of contacting your old man again?"Pulling the plug, Lauralee stood up while the draining water swirled about her feet."No, I haven't. I know that Robbie misses his father, but -- no." "Okay," the girl said quietly. "Step out on the bathmat and I'll dry that lovely, tall body. The guys must be eating up everything in the kitchen by now, and I keep hoping we'll get a phone call from my mother before long. Wouldn't you just know that my auntie would pull one of her sicky.