Dewey’s – By Anne Barwell #3
Daniel hesitated. She had access to databases he didn’t.
“Yeah, maybe. Thanks.” If they split their resources, he could get some answers faster.
He knew his way around old newspapers and microfiche, but that didn’t seem the right approach.
Gerry had said no one knew what had happened to Hal, which suggested the information wouldn’t be easily found.
“There’s a guy I met. Crazy thing is, he’s got the same name as someone who lived here in the 1920s.
A photo would be great, but finding out what happened to him would be brilliant. ”
“A guy, hmm? Names often repeat across generations, especially in small towns. Tell me what you have, and I’ll see what I can do.”
“Thanks.” Daniel told her about his meeting with Hal, but left out that he’d vanished. She didn’t need to know that.
“So, he was dressed in old-fashioned clothing?” Serena latched onto the very thing he’d attempted to play down. “Perhaps he’s working in theater, or dresses the part when he performs. I’m sure there’s a logical explanation.”
“Of course there is,” Daniel said a little too quickly. “I do appreciate you being here for me since… everything.” He didn’t tell her that often enough. Actually, he hadn’t voiced it at all.
“Hey, that’s what big sisters are for.”
“Yeah.” Daniel glanced at the time, surprised by how late it was. His first appointment was early the next morning. “Keep in touch, okay?”
“Always. Love you. Bye!”
Daniel waited a few moments, then headed for the bathroom, intent on a shower and a good night’s sleep.
His so-called restful night had been anything but. Instead of sleep coming quickly, he’d laid on his back staring at the ceiling, thoughts of Hal following him into his dreams when he finally caught a few short hours.
At least he’d done this job long enough that he could tune pianos in his sleep, especially a well-cared for one like this.
“Would you like some tea, Mr. Lawrence?” Esther, the old lady who owned the instrument, interrupted his train of thought. “I do hope the piano isn’t causing you too much trouble. Usually it behaves, but yesterday it did not sound good at all.”
“I’m nearly done, and then it will sound good as it can be, considering its age.
” Daniel gave her a tired smile. He’d already tuned several pianos that day, and Esther’s was a last-minute addition he’d made time for because she was a friend of Gerry’s.
“Your piano is in much better condition than most I’ve seen today. ”
Esther smiled, obviously pleased by his comment. She gestured for him to sit and offered him a slice of cake to go with his tea. “The piano is a family heirloom, and I’m sure is watched over by its original owner.”
“It’s a beautiful instrument.” Daniel took a few sips of tea, grateful for the strong brew. “It reminds me of the piano at Dewey’s. They’re the same make, if I’m not mistaken.”
“You’re not!” Esther looked delighted. “No one’s ever commented on that before, but they were bought together. The one at Dewey’s was originally owned by Hal, and this one by my great-uncle Joseph.”
“Hal Lebrun?” Daniel coughed when some of his cake went down the wrong way.
“Oh, yes.” Esther frowned. “Would you like some water?” After he shook his head, she continued. “Hal and Joseph were good friends.” She lowered her voice. “More than good friends, if the rumors were to be believed.”
“What happened?” Daniel couldn’t believe his luck. He glanced at the piano. Strange that it had suddenly gone out of tune like that. He couldn’t find much wrong. It reminded him of the piano at Dewey’s, which sounded wonderful when Hal played it. “To Joseph, I mean? And Hal…”
“I don’t know much about Hal.” Esther stirred sugar into her tea.
“He kept very much to himself afterward, and everyone else at arms’ length.
But Joseph…” She shook her head, pausing before continuing.
“He died in the war, you see. Hal came back, a shadow of himself, but Joseph didn’t.
My grandfather tried to keep in touch with Hal, but gave up after a while.
Pepère had started a family and had a business to run in the middle of a depression, so times were tough. ”
“Did you ever meet Hal or Joseph?”
Esther chuckled. “I’m only in my nineties, young man. The war was a good twenty years before I was born, but I listened to the stories. Many older townsfolk liked to talk about life before the war, rather than what came with it.” She adjusted her glasses and peered at him.
The intensity of her gaze took him unawares, yet he didn’t flinch. “I hope you don’t mind me asking about them.” Daniel took a deep breath, and turned toward the piano at the familiar scent of jasmine, but it sat still and unremarkable.
“I suspect if I asked you to play Hal’s tune, you’d know it, too.” Esther spoke matter-of-factly. “People tell stories about the piano at Dewey’s, and that they’ve seen impossible things there, or heard something that can’t be explained.”
“Is it haunted?” Daniel’s eyes widened, his mind full of more questions than the answers he’d hoped he’d finally found.
“That depends on whether you believe in that kind of thing or not, I guess. Stay here,” Esther said. “I have something that might interest you.”
The jasmine followed her. Daniel relaxed, feeling like a fool for mistaking her perfume for whimsy. When she returned, she handed him a small, faded sepia photograph.
He took it from her, and barely contained his shock. Hal stared back at him, the man by his side smiling. They looked happy together, and at least close friends, if not more.
“You recognize him.” Esther looked pleased. “The man with him is my great-uncle Joseph. This was taken about six months before the war. I found it in my grandfather’s things after he passed. I doubt it’s been seen by anyone else.”
Daniel decided to go out on a limb, doubting she’d think him as mad as he’d thought he was. “I saw Hal at Dewey’s last night. He was playing the piano. We spoke, and then he vanished.”
“You’re not the first to hear him play there, but no one else has spoken to him before.
” Esther smiled. “Gerry refuses to believe his bar is haunted, despite having accepted that cat being what it is, but his grandfather felt something when the bar opened, which is why he’s never played there since.
” She shrugged. “Germain has always been sensitive to such things, and I like to believe there’s something to it.
Everyone deserves a happy ending, don’t you think? ”
“Once upon a time I thought so, but now I’m not so sure.”
Daniel hesitated when he passed the library, and almost went in, but the look the librarian gave him was a definite reminder they were closing soon. He’d seen the photograph, and Serena would work her librarian magic with anything else, so he headed for Dewey’s instead.
“Hello there.” Gerry looked up when Daniel entered the bar. “I figured you’d be in tonight. Coffee or something stronger?”
“A beer, and then coffee later, thanks.” Daniel gestured to the corner where the piano stood. “I’ll be over there.” He could take out his laptop to pretend he was working, rather than waiting for someone who most likely wouldn’t show.
Not that he’d only come to Dewey’s to see Hal.
He chose the same table as the previous evening. Thankfully, it was empty.
“No one sits there much,” Gerry said when he brought over Daniel’s beer. “The corner’s a bit dark, and doesn’t have a good view of the street.” He paused and fixed his gaze on Daniel. “And it’s not as though anyone’s going to play an out-of-tune piano, right?’
“I can tune it for you,” Daniel offered.
“I don’t see the point when no one’s using it.” Gerry frowned. Bib meowed, brushing herself against his legs, the sound definitely one of disapproval.
“I’d tune it for free,” Daniel clarified. “It’s a beautiful instrument and deserves to be played.” He had an excuse to be here over a few evenings then, too. “If you don’t mind me here in the evenings, after I’ve finished with my paying customers, I’d be happy to sort that out for you.”
“You’re sure?” Gerry still seemed reluctant. He bent to pat Bib, who had started purring.
“Yeah, very sure. Everyone has been hospitable and kind. I’d like to be able to say thanks, and pay it forward.”
Bib looked between the two of them and then jumped onto Daniel’s lap. He absently patted her, the soft fur against his fingers relaxing him.
“Looks like Bib’s keen on the idea.” Gerry chuckled. “You’ve got yourself a deal, and no paying for your drinks tonight either.”
Daniel held up his hand to protest. He hadn’t offered to tune the piano for free drinks, but Gerry’s expression brooked no argument. “Tonight then, but that’s it, okay?”
“Okay.”
The door opened, customers arriving for the evening like the previous day. Gerry gave Daniel a nod, and then went back to work, leaving Daniel alone with Bib.
“You’re looking very smug, kitty,” Daniel said to her. “Do you know Hal too, hmm?”
She jumped off his lap and wandered over to the piano, sitting on the top and washing herself.
Daniel shook his head and smiled to himself. “Weird cat.” He took a few sips of his beer, and then opened his laptop.
His fruitless search was interrupted by an amused chuckle.
“I wondered if I’d see you again. I hope that book you’re reading is a good one.”
“Hal.” Daniel looked up, unable to help his grin. He shut his laptop. “Where did you disappear to last night?”
“Last night?” Hal frowned. He walked over to sit on the chair next to Daniel. “We met a week ago. I wondered if you’d left town, but figured I’d come to the library this afternoon in case.”
“Library?” Daniel glanced behind Hal. Where the wall had been was now a door again.