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 Fat
woman with fire-colored hair, free of speech and thought, Mrs. Henderson
hides herself behind a warm smile and a continuous chatter. Married, she
lives in the residence where she and her husband rent apartments. Among
their tenants is film director Stephen Slade.
Following
Michael Donnelly's call, she shows up at Bunny's Lair, which is a first
for her. Her first words are for Dash Nichols, whom she recognizes : she
confides that she is satisfied with the verdict of the court, while on
television, the show of Eden Castillo is aired. There is no doubt, at
the sight of her smile for Dash, that Mrs. Henderson does not think nice
things of Julia Wainwright.
Seated
at a table with Michael Donnelly, she answers his questions. Before
answering, to explain her answers, she presents her personality : she
does not spy on her tenants, does not gossip. Yet she is concerned about
Stephen Slade : she has not seen him in two days and his car is still in
the garage, which suggests he did not go far. She remembers perfectly
well the last time she heard from Stephen, two nights ago. She was woken
up by a fight between Stephen and a woman. While Mrs. Henderson's
description may initially be consistent with many women in the city, she
eventually provides further clarification. And the woman she describes
looks a lot like Cassandra Benedict...
Portrait
written for this site by Lilian
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