Judith, who was becoming accustomed to the wheelchair’s vagaries, was able to propel herself into the
274
Mary Daheim
doorway, where she sat with Renie standing next to
her. At least thirty people had filled the corridor. Sister
Jacqueline was one of them, and she didn’t look happy.
While the reporters and cameramen positioned
themselves, Dr. Van Boeck and Dr. Garnett appeared,
coming from different directions. Judith noted that Dr.
Van Boeck didn’t look much the worse for his collapse
the previous day, though both physicians seemed grim.
At last, the elevator doors opened and the star of the
show made her entrance. Blanche Van Boeck had shed
her furs, revealing what Renie whispered was a gray
Armani suit. Knee-high boots and a black turban completed the ensemble. “Big bucks,” Renie noted as
Blanche passed by on her way to the alcove down the
hall.
Judith gestured at the empty doorway across the
hall. “No Mr. Mummy,” she murmured. “Where do
you suppose he is?”
Renie shrugged as Sister Jacqueline found herself
being pushed back in the cousins’ direction.
“Excuse me,” the nun apologized, bumping into Judith’s wheelchair. “This is quite a mob. I wish Mrs.
Van Boeck hadn’t chosen this place for her announcement.”
“It does seem like an odd venue,” Judith remarked.
“Does she have a reason?”
“Does she need a reason?” Sister Jacqueline retorted, then gave herself a little shake. “Sorry. That was
unkind, especially given that Mrs. Van Boeck has always been such a big supporter of Good Cheer. The
truth is, the auditorium is being painted. The workers
just got started Monday, and then weren’t able to come
back after it began snowing. And it’s too cold and
draughty to hold the press conference in the foyer.”
SUTURE SELF
275
“Not to mention,” Renie put in, “that I suspect
Blanche enjoys the cozy atmosphere of a more intimate setting.”
“A more neutral setting as well,” Sister Jacqueline
said, then again looked rueful. “The foyer, the auditorium, so many other places in the hospital feature religious symbols. If Mrs. Van Boeck is going to run for
mayor, she has to appeal to a broad range of voters, the
majority of whom aren’t Catholic.”
“So she’s going to announce her candidacy today,
right?” Renie whispered as, down in the alcove, Blanche
raised her hands for silence.
Sister Jacqueline shot Renie a swift, puzzled glance.
“I’m not certain. Maybe she’ll do that later, downtown.”
Judith gave the nun a puzzled look, but there was no
opportunity for further questions. Blanche was beginning to speak, her strong, sharp voice carrying easily
without a microphone.
“I’ll keep my remarks brief,” Blanche said, her expression somber. “I appreciate your efforts in coming
