“Not a bit. I’m used to it.”
“Suit yourself. I’m going to bed. It’s way past my bedtime. Would you like to go fishing with me tomorrow?”
“I’d love that! Can you take time away from the store?
“I’m the boss, aren’t I? I’ll be up early and off to the store so just sleep in and then head over to the store when you’re ready. We can load up and head out from there. No rush.”
“Ok, Pop.” He kissed me on the top of my head before heading upstairs
Chapter One Hundred Seventy-One
I took my lukewarm cup of coffee and went out onto the front porch. I sat on the porch swing and stared into a sky full of stars. The crickets and coyotes seemed to be singing to each other. An then, amongst the noises of the nightlife, another sound. A twig snapped and immediately I was on high alert.
My hand instinctively went to my hip but my gun wasn’t there. Shit. It was on my captain’s desk. I hadn’t traveled with my back up. My mind went to he gun rack in the living room. Dad had his hunting rifle there and a pistol. I tried to calm my overactive imagination. This wasn’t the beat.
I took a shallow breath and listened. Nothing. I rose from my seat gently and walked to the porch edge. I peered into the dark straining to make sense of the night shadows. Was one of those shadows moving? Possibly but the shadow could be anything. I held my breath, willing myself to see clearly into the night. I jumped as a raccoon came lumbering out of the shadows and I laughed out loud. “Jerk.”
I dumped the rest of my coffee over the rail into the yard and went inside. I locked the front door behind me and took one last peak out of the curtains. The raccoon had lumbered off into the neighborhood and there was still nothing to look at.
I took myself to my room. I wasn’t sure id be able to sleep after my nap today but I was wrong. I conked out.
Chapter One Hundred Seventy-Two
The next morning I woke and found Pop had already left for the hardware store. I enjoyed a leisurely breakfast with Mom. She seemed light and airy today and I think having me home has made her smile more. At least that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
After breakfast I took a light jog around the block breathing in the fresh pine smells and letting the warm Montana sun feed me the vitamin D I have been neglecting.
When I was back in my own yard I took a look around yard. In my head I knew that the raccoon had been the reason for my jangled nerves last night but my cop heart couldn’t help itself. I went to the side of the house and poked around in Mom’s flowerbeds. That’s where I found it.
A footprint. A rather large foot print. It could have been an old one but the dirt was soft underneath. Maybe Dad had been out here this morning? I’d have to ask him when I got to the store. I tried to shake off that little unsettling feeling that was taking up residence in my stomach. I was sure I was over reacting.
I took one last glance around the yard and surrounding houses with curiosity. Nothing seemed out of place and the weird feeling of dread started to dissipate like one of my bad dreams. This was Harmony. I had nothing to fear.
I went inside and showered. I dug around in my closet and found my old fishing hat. It still had all the lures dad had stuck on it and faintly smelled of old lake water. I had worn this cap on every fishing trip dad and I had ever made. From the weeklong trips to catch the salmon as they spawned to the long lazy days down in the local creek; this hat and my dad had been the constants. This hat was a treasure.
I gathered dads and my fishing gear and packed it into the backseat of my rental truck. I smiled like a teenager as the engine roared to life with a throaty roar. I missed having a truck. It didn’t make senses to drive one in Cali where gas was five dollars a gallon but here I could get away with it and it was worth it.
I made my way downtown and stopped at the local diner to grab some sandwiches for the afternoon trip. Bojangles Cafe has been the local town hangout for over fifty years and I am certain the only thing that has changed is the ownership. It still had a sparkly red sign on the outside with a giant cowboy boot that rocked back and forth. Breakfast lunch and dinner were served at all hours of the day and the prices were the cheapest in America. Aside from the local church, Bojangles is the one place you went to know what was happening.
The cafe wasn’t the only diner in town but by far the community’s favorite. I think every kid who had ever lived in Harmony had slung at least a few shifts of burgers and fries here. From the small parking lot I could smell the delicious mix of frying potato’s and fresh baked apple pie.
I entered through the old wooden front door and took a seat at the counter. The jukebox played a little Merle Haggard at an acceptable volume. In the evening they would turn the sound up but for now it made a nice backdrop to all the patrons gossiping.
A pretty blonde behind the counter had her back to me. She spoke over her shoulder, “Go ahead and take a seat anywhere. Ill be with you in a moment.”
“A moments too long sweet thang,” I twanged in my best hillbilly voice.
The blonde whirled on me but her angry face quickly turned to delight! “Oh my gosh! Jason Camden! Is that really you?”
She jumped over the counter right into my arms and I almost fell over. “Jeez Shelly, you always just go throwing yourself at men like that?”
Shelly Franklin, blonde bombshell extraordinaire, laughed as I set her on her feet, “Only when they are handsome as you. When did you get into town?”
“I flew in yesterday afternoon. I guess that small town gossip chain has lost its edge.”
Shelly stuck out her bottom lip in a feigned pout, “and you didn’t even call to say you were coming.”
“Awe c’mon now Shelly. You know I’m no good at keeping in touch. Besides I didn’t think you’d care if I was home or not seeing as how you married to that old, ugly bastard Ben.”
“Who’s calling me a bastard?” A voice boomed from the kitchen.
Shelly yelled back, “Just some young handsome thing trying to get me to leave you, honey.”
Ben Franklin (oh the teasing he got as a kid) pushed through the swinging kitchen doors and laughed out loud. “Camden!” He came around the counter and wrapped me in a huge bear hug. He clapped me on the back, maybe a little too hard. “Man its good to see you! How long has it been?”
“Too long apparently.” I patted his beer belly, “Looks like you’ve been drinking without me.”
“It’s all the good home cooking the little wifey has been doing.”
Shelly rolled her eyes. “Please, I can barely boil water. But I can serve you a piece of pie like a rock star! Sit down and I’ll cut you a slice.”
“Just coffee for me, Shell. Dad and I are going fishing and I thought I’d pick up some sandwiches and stuff for lunch. You have anything already made?”
“Sandwiches? Psh. Ben’s got some fresh made fried chicken, biscuits and coleslaw all cooked up. I’ll pack you guys a nice lunch.” Shelly retreated back behind the counter and Ben plopped down on a stool next to me. I punched Ben in the shoulder. “So what’s the newest?”
“Not much, man. You know how this place is, not much changes around here.”
“I see that Kirk Johnson is now a local cop?”
Ben laughed. “Yeah that guys a tool. Nice enough but he likes to boss people around. You know the saying ‘you can’t be a prophet in your own town?’ Well not too many people take him seriously. Did you have a run in with him?”
“No, nothing like that. I just went for a run last night and ran into him out at the quarry.”
Ben’s face took on a sad look, “A little run down memory lane?”
“I suppose. It’s hard not to think back to those times when I’m home.”
“Marc was a good dude. He always stood up for everybody.”
“True. Kirk says no one has made heads or tales of Marcs disappearance.”
“Yeah it seems like after the initial fuss nothing happened and then Marc’s dad had him declared
dead. I think that made it feel kinda final in a way. You were questioned in that case weren’t you?”
“I was supposedly the last person to see him. We went swimming that night and then he rode off for home.”
“So sad.” Ben hung his head.
I didn’t know why I was talking about Marc but I couldn’t seem to stop myself. “I went by the house on my way in. Is anyone living there?”
“Marc’s dad still lives there. Never moved.”
“Do you think his dad could have had anything to do with Marc going missing?”
“His pops? Old man was torn to hell when Marc went missing. I don’t think anyone grieves like that if they had something to do with their own child’s death.”
“Who said Marc was dead?”
Ben looked at me warily, “Well shit, after all these years you think he isn’t?”
“I suppose somewhere inside I’ve held out a little hope he was alive somewhere. Hitchhiking across America, seeing the sights. You know, living adventure after adventure.”
“Maybe that’s why his pop never left here. Still hoping his kid will come back.”
“Maybe.” I picked up my coffee cup and took a sip. “Kirk said I could come by and read the old file. I was thinking of maybe just taking a look. A fresh pair of cop eyeballs couldn’t hurt, right?”
Ben shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “Sure. If you think its worth the heartache.” Ben glanced around the café. “Look man, I know its gotta be a tough thing but that was so long ago what do you really think your going to be able to find out. Besides, how long are you going to be here anyway?”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
Ben pushed his stool back and stood up, “I’m just saying, you don’t think it’s a little cruel to just show up after so many years, stir up a hornets nest and then leave back to your big city? Do you miss the action that much that you have to bring it with you?”
I was stunned by Ben’s reaction and I wasn’t sure how to respond to him. “What’s with all the hostility? I was just thinking out loud.”
“No hostility, man. I’m just saying, some things are better just left in the past. If you’re just here to visit, awesome. I want to see you and catch up but if you’re here just to be super cop then don’t bother wasting your time in here.” Ben turned and started back to the kitchen.
I yelled after his retreating figure, “Ben! Ben, wait!”
Shelly came out the swinging door just as Ben pushed his way back through. She looked at me with a frown, “What was that all about?” She set a large picnic basket down on the counter with a thud.
“I have no idea. I was talking about Marc and he got upset and stormed off.”
“Oh.” Shelly looked down and sighed.
“What do you mean, ‘oh?’ You know what that was about?”
“Jason, you have to understand. After you left and Kirk joined the force, Kirk reopened Marc’s case. Kirk being Kirk, he brought Ben down and grilled him over the disappearance. It was based on nothing more than the fact that Marc and I had crushes on each other back then and now Ben and I were married. It was absolutely baseless. Kirk always had a thing for me and I think he was using it as an excuse to hassle Ben. Ben really took it personally. I mean, shit, we were fourteen for crying out loud.”
“I’m sorry, Shell. I didn’t mean to start any trouble.”
Shelly kissed me on the cheek. “He will be fine. Give him about five minutes.” Shelly smiled reassuringly and changed the subject. “You should come by tonight when your done fishing. That is if you don’t have anything else going on?”
“Come by here?”
“Remember little bucktooth Jane Soren? Well she got her teeth fixed and now miss glamour puss is getting hitched. We are having a little party here. We are shutting the café down for the party and there will be a lot of friendly faces.” Shelly did a little tap dance move and shoved her jazz hands in my face. “You could come get your shimmy, shimmy, shake on? Catch up with the old gang? Maybe meet a pretty little thing of your own?”
I laughed at her antics, “I’ll think about it.”
“You do that. I gotta get back to work. Kiss your pop for me. And if you boys catch anything, bring it by and we will put it on the menu.”
I kissed Shelly on the cheek. “Thanks, Shell. Tell Ben I’m sorry, will you?”
“Don’t think another thing about it.”
I grabbed the basket and headed out the door, letting the bells jingle softy as it closed behind me.
Chapter One Hundred Seventy-Three
I found a parking spot outside Camden Hardware Store and made my way inside. Dad had owned this store since he and Mom had married. Aside from his family, this store was his pride and joy. I practically grew up here. I spent all of my summers here. While everyone else was flipping burgers or smoking weed down at the drive-in I was helping my pop by stocking shelves and selling drill bits. Most kids would’ve complained but I loved every minute of it.
Pop was busy going over the differences of finishing nails and regular nails with a young mom with a baby on her hip so I made myself at home browsing paint swatches.
“Find one you like son?” Dad clapped a hand on my back.
“Hey, pop.” I kissed him on the forehead. “You ready to catch some dinner?”
“Always. Let me grab my fishing stuff and make sure Shane is good to go. You know how these young kids are. He holds down the shop well enough but if I don’t make sure all his questions are answered before I leave, he will be calling me non stop.”
“Sure thing, Pop. I’ll meet you out at the car.”
I went outside and grabbed the broom leaning against the front wall. I started sweeping the sidewalk relishing the flood of summertime memories and old habits. While I swept up the dust, I hummed. I actually hummed while I worked! I don’t remember the last time I hummed.
A loud commotion across the street caught my attention just as dad was stepping out to meet me.
“You little punk! Stop squirming.” Kirk had some kid by the collar and was hauling him out of Mr. Gregson’s drug store. The young boy of about twelve kicked him in the shin and Kirk howled but didn’t let go of his little felon.
“Need some help there, Kirk?” I hollered across the street?
Kirk looked up and his scowl turned to a large grin. He waved with one hand while holding the squirming kid with the other. “Nope. I’m good! Little shoplifter here needs to be taught a lesson.”
The boy squirmed, “Uncle Kirk, I said I was sorry!”
“You’re lucky I don’t whoop your ass right here in front of everyone!” Kirk opened the back door of his squad car and ushered the kid inside. “Your mom is gonna have your hide over this.”
The boy began to cry as Kirk scolded him further. “You just sit here and think about what you’ve done and I swear if you open this door before I get back I’ll put the handcuffs on you and take you straight to lockup. You here me?” Kirk slammed the door and after looking both ways he trotted across the street to shake hands with me and Pop.
Pop shook Kirks hand out of sheer politeness. “Looks like you have your hands full with that one, Kirk.”
Kirk hitched up his uniform pants. “Just my nephew. He’s been giving us a hard time lately and really acting out. Mr. Gregson caught him shoplifting so I came right over to make sure this is the last time.”
Pop’s face softened in sympathy for the boy. “Kids can be a handful at times. Maybe he is acting out for some reason?”
“I am sure you’re right but a little discipline never hurt either.”
Pop just couldn’t help himself. “Sometimes too much discipline can do the opposite.”
I looked at dad out of the corner of my eye. It wasn’t like him to stick his nose in or his chin out but he had certainly decided today was the day.
Kirk seemed un-phased. “Yes, Sir.” He turned to me. “Shelly told me she invited you to the party tonight. You coming?”
&nbs
p; “I’ll think about it.”
Kirk took a quick glance at his nephew in the back of his patrol car. “Well good luck fishing and maybe I’ll see you there.”
Pop grunted as Kirk made his way back across the street. Turning on his overheads with a little dramatic flair Kirk drove away with his prisoner in tow.
Pop opened the passenger door of my truck and got in.
“You really don’t seem to like him much, Pop. Did he give you a ticket or something?”
“I just think he’s too big for his britches. Let’s forget all about that guy and go do some fishing.” He patted my arm. “I’ve been waiting for a gorgeous day like this all season. And now I get to spend it with you. Let’s get cracking!”
I took the country road out of town and headed towards our favorite fishing hole.
Chapter One Hundred Seventy-Four
Dad and I fished for several hours and when the sun got a little too warm, we stopped for lunch. As we were unpacking the picnic basket two men approached. Kirk was still in uniform but the police chief had on waders and was carrying a pole of his own.
My dad got up and shook hands with the police Chief. “Chief, afternoon!”
“Hi Bob. How is the fishing?”
“Not a nibble but the company is worth every minute.” Pop motioned my way and I stood to shake the police chiefs hand. “Chief Jordan, you remember my son Jason?”
“I sure do!” He pumped my hand firmly. “I hear you went into the law enforcement business yourself, Jason.”
“Sure did but I’m out in California these days.”
“And, how’s business out there?”
“Same as always; fast and furious.”
The chief nodded in understanding, “Of that I have no doubt, son. If you ever think about leaving you just give me a holler.”
Kirk frowned. “I didn’t know we were hiring?”
The chief glanced at Kirk and then winked at me. “For you son I’d open another position.”
Roland P D Omnibus Page 34