She approached the door and hesitated.

“Catherine; is that you?”

Cate smiled at the familiar voice. It was thinner now, and a little dry, but still held the recognizable Irish lilt in the vowels. She pushed inside.

It was twilight dark, and she smelled the usual lavender scent of her favorite perfume. But there was also an odor of medicine and antiseptic. The figure on the bed was even smaller than Cate remembered, child-like, with a halo of silver curls spread on the pillow. We all return to whence we came, she thought, as she sat carefully on the edge of the bed.

“Help me up a bit, dear.” Violet lifted a hand for Cate to take. The stick-thin fingers held no strength, but when Cate pulled her forward, the woman smiled and her eyes still shone with the intellect and energy that was always there.

Cate stuck another pillow behind her gran’s back, and the old woman eased into it, partially sitting now. She continued to watch Cate with love and interest.

Cate took her hand again. “We found something.” She reached down to open a small bag, and drew forth the helmet, now cleaned of much of its debris. Violet’s mouth dropped open and she held out her hands. Cate laid the metal hat in them.

The old woman turned it around and around, and then stopped when she came to the name. Cate waited for her to say something, but Violet just continued to stare at the engraved name, almost trance-like.

“Gran? Violet? Are you okay?” Cate reached across to touch her arm.

“I remember this – his.” She traced the letters with her fingers. “You found it in a cave, didn’t you? Deep in a cave?”

“Yes we did. In a hidden place all the way up in the Gulf of Alaska.”

She nodded. “My beautiful husband; I loved his hobby and his passion, but hated him doing it.” She turned watery eyes on Cate. “Why would a man of such light and warmth want to spend his time in dark caves?” Violet sighed, the air seeming to escape from her, making her shrink even more. She slumped in bed.

“He was very brave, a true pioneer explorer. And someone who was searching for answers.” Cate shrugged. “Some go looking for them.”

Violet had turned away. “I told him, if you go looking for the devil, one day you’ll find him.” She seemed to vanish into the folds of the blankets, the helmet still clasped to her chest. “Thank you for finding him for me, Catherine.” She turned to stare deep into Cate’s eyes, holding them for several more seconds, until finally her eyes closed. “I’m tired now. Goodbye, my dear.”

Cate waited for several minutes and then pulled the blanket up around her chin. Don’t worry, Violet, she thought. We’ve got that devil trapped.

She leant forward to kiss her grandmother’s cheek. Violet wasn’t breathing.

CHAPTER 24