Ron was speechless as her words sank in, “How long have you got?” he finally managed to ask.

“Not very long. The cancer is moving fast and I’m supposed to go back into the hospital after Christmas. The doctors talk about chemo therapy, but I know they’re just trying to be kind.”

Ron went to the kitchen and in a few moments came back, “Zanda is going to put Brock to bed, and then she’ll join us. We’ll work it out.” He said sitting down beside Kim.

In a few minutes Zanda came in and sat beside them, “Your little man was very tired, Mrs. Lewis. I put him in my bed. There is lots of room for you too-if you wish-as long as you wish.”

“But where will you sleep?”

“On the couch. But I sense you have a problem that’s urgent, or you wouldn’t have come back.” Zanda said.

“I’m dying. I want you and Ron to look after Brock”

“And I have no family. Ron has told me many a time how fond he is of Brock. I would welcome him to my heart as my own.” Zanda said.

Kim started to cry, Zanda put her arms around her.

In a few minutes Kim dried her tears, “Now I can die in peace, but before I say any more, I know now how terribly wrong I was not to let him play with Cleopatra. Will you get a dog for him-please?”

“Of course. A big Collie, like Cleopatra.” Ron said.

“There is one more thing-I read in the paper that Kolinsky is dead, that he was stabbed they figure, by a woman.”

“Strange you brought that up.” Ron said.

“No, not strange. Do you remember when I came here, Ron? I was angry and flustered?”

“I remember that.”

“I had been to see Kolinsky about a job. He tried to come onto me, there were knives on the drain board; I grabbed one and threatened him. I remember those knives. They had a unique pattern; exactly like the one I buttered my bread with at dinner.”

Ron sat spell bound; Zanda showed no emotion.

“I suspect, but I don’t want to know how that knife got here. Kolinsky is dead, but the cops never close a murder case till they find all the pieces. I would like to supply the missing piece. I knew what Kolinsky was like, so I discretely found out all I could about the murder. There was a coat with Zanda Lee penned inside a pocket.” Then Kim turned to Ron. “When you said Zanda would put Brock to bed, I knew. I now want to write the closing chapter to this case, I’ll give you all my identification, then take the knife to the police; tell them I killed Kolinsky. I’ll be charged with murder but that matters not.”

“The greatest gift one can give, is ones life for another.” Zanda said, having kept silent up to then. “Now I want to promise, before your god and mine, that I will guard Brock with my life. He will be my little boy.”

“Our little boy.” Ron corrected.

Kim was getting very tired; Zanda helped her to the bedroom, made her comfortable beside her sleeping son.

THE END