Who's Sorry Now? (20 page)

Ron was pleased. He knew that his boss would be humiliated to arrive at Grace and Favor in a hospital robe and slippers. He deserved to return to Voorburg with all the dignity that was due him.

Both Jack and Ron wanted to go back to Poughkeepsie the next day, just to check on how Walker was doing. Jack drove.

“Remind me to stop at a really good candy shop before we go to the hospital. I want to take a big box of chocolates to Nurse Hawkin.”

As they drove, Jack asked Parker if he knew why the man who'd stabbed Walker had gone so far to scare, or possibly burn up his shop.

“I've given that a lot of thought," Parker said. "I've been in both of those tailor shops and Kurtz's is full of good German equipment. Scissors, shears, needles, a good sewing machine, and lots of nice European-made fabrics.”

He went on, "I was only in the Cold Spring tailor's shop for a short time and it was dirty and grim. The tools on the counter were rusty. The only thing sharp he owned was the scissors he used to stab Chief Walker. I think he also hated Germans. Plain old jealousy and fear that he'd lose all his customers to Kurtz. I should have asked him when I spoke to him, but I was so revolted I just wanted to get away from him as soon as I could.”

Jack nodded. "That sounds very likely.”

As they were almost in Poughkeepsie, Parker said, "Keep your eye out for a candy store.”