Dru Faust and the Devil’s Due: part 23

After the party to welcome Archie home, George drove me back to our more modest neighborhood. Unwilling to worry Archie and Alex, I didn't tell them about the conversation with my father, but George asked what was wrong as we were pulling out onto the street. "You've been awful quiet. That's not like you." "It's…

Dru Faust and the Devil’s Due: part 22

Tuesday, July 18   Archie was released from the hospital the next morning. George drove Alexandra and I to the hospital to pick him up. Daddy was chatting with him in the ward, helping him into his coat when we arrived. "I hope you realize just how lucky you were," he said, clapping his patient…

Dru Faust and the Devil’s Due: part 21

For the entire streetcar ride home, I pondered the new information gleaned from the station, particularly the arrests made at the party. Only three arrests for such a large gathering was scanty, at best. True, for one officer to bring in three criminals alone, it was quite something, but if Officer Conners was so close…

Dru Faust and the Devil’s Due, part 20

The police station where my mother worked wasn't large. Only about a dozen officers worked there, plus one detective. Mother was one of only three policewomen in the entire department, and thus the only woman working at that station other than the secretary. Mrs. Hughes greeted me with a smile when she saw me enter.…

Dru Faust and the Devil’s Due, part 19

Monday, July 17, 1922 "Why do I let you talk me into these things?" George asked, cutting the engine on his Ford. The car coasted slowly to a stop on the tree lined road. The three days since our last adventure in the woods allowed the ground to dry out. Mud puddles no longer created…

Dru Faust and the Devil’s Due, part 18

We walked back to the corner to catch the next streetcar, but I had a sudden idea, remembering how well stocked the liquor cabinet had been. "The party was on Friday night, wasn't it?" Alexandra came to a halt beside me. "Yes. Why?" "Because it's Sunday. No one will have collected last week's garbage yet."…

Dru Faust and the Devil’s Due, part 17

I outlined my plan to Alexandra as we once again took the streetcar south into town. West of the university was an affluent neighborhood, all stately Victorian homes and tree lined streets. I'd done my best to make my friend look like a respectable member of society, instead of a flapper fond of wearing men's…

Dru Faust and the Devil’s Due, part 16

Sunday, July 16, 1922 The next morning, Alexandra and I went back to the hospital with Daddy to see Archie. "I need to check on my other patients first, but I'll be in to see Archie around lunchtime," he told Alexandra as we parted ways in the lobby. He held up a file folder. "I've…

Dru Faust and the Devil’s Due, part 15

Mother insisted Alexandra come home with us. Usually a night owl, it didn't take much to convince her to take a hot bath and go straight to bed, even though it was still a little early. When Elizabeth and Rose heard what had happened, she found herself once again enveloped in hugs. Elizabeth went up…

Dru Faust and the Devil’s Due, part 14

  The State Hospital on Broad Street was familiar, almost home-like to me. Several times I week I went down with Daddy, watching him work or reading to some of the patients, helping the nurses make beds and do the thousands of tiny things that took them away from their patients, but needed doing nonetheless.…