Traces of the Past

by Steve Laracy

  The band was playing “The Sidewalks of New York” when our food showed up. My sausages were accompanied by a side dish of spaetzle, and both were delicious. Felicity seemed to be enjoying her meal also and there was little talk during dinner.

  When we had finished, Jennie showed up again and took our plates. We declined dessert but opted for coffee. Jennie left but quickly returned with a stainless-steel pot of coffee, two cups and sugar, and cream. She filled our cups, then left the pot on the table and left.

  The sky was now dark, and the stars shone as we drank our coffee.

  As we were engaged in small talk and digesting our meal, Annie, who was serving a nearby table, noticed us and walked over.

  She said hello and Felicity asked her, “Are you doing okay, Annie?”

  “I’m holding up, trying to keep busy.”

  “Well, if there’s anything you need, just ask,” Felicity said.

  “Thanks. If you don’t mind, Felicity, can I steal your man for a minute?”

  “He’s not my man, but I’d appreciate it if you return him in one piece,” Felicity joked.

  Annie looked for a place where we could speak in private and located a few empty barstools at the end of the tiki bar. I followed her over and we took the seats.

  “I wanted to thank you for everything you’ve done for me,” Annie began.

  “It was nothing,” I responded.

  “Don’t say that. It meant a great deal.”

  “In that case, I am glad to have been of service.”

  “I talked to Mr. Church this afternoon.”

  “How did that go?”

  “He told me they were processing my claim and I should receive the money soon. I told him that Billy’s death was not an accident but was suicide and I could only take the ten thousand dollars.”

  This did not surprise me, but I asked Annie, “Didn’t Church want some proof?”

  “He did. I told him Billy had left me a suicide note. He asked to see it, but I told him I had destroyed it rather than keep a reminder around.”

  “Did that satisfy him?”

  “Not completely, but I told him that, in good conscience, I couldn’t accept the hundred thousand dollars and I would return the check if they sent it to me. That seemed to settle things for him.”

  “You could have done a lot of things with that money,” I said.

  “Maybe,” she responded, “but I can’t think of much that I want to do. The ten thousand will pay off the trailer and leave me a little left over to put away for Billy Jr. And I still have my job here.”

  “I’m proud of you, Annie.”

  She didn’t respond but sat for a few minutes with a faraway look in her eyes.

  Finally, she said, “Jim came to see me last night.”

  I didn’t say anything, so she continued. “I saw him at the funeral. He was standing way in the back so no one would see him. He came over to see me last night after you and everyone else had left. I think he was watching the house and waiting.”

  “What did he have to say?”

  “He was very upset the way things ended with Billy and him. He meant to talk to Billy and me over the years but was too stubborn to do it. Billy’s death hit him hard.”

  “What did you say?”

  “I told him we were all at fault and not to blame himself. We both had a good cry.” Another silence followed and then, “We might start seeing each other again, you know, take it slowly and see what happens.”

  I didn’t respond, so Annie asked me, “What do you think, Milo? Is that a stupid thing to do?”

  “I can’t answer that,” I replied, “but what I can tell you is that, knowing you, I have every confidence you will make the right decision.”

  “Thanks again,” Annie said. We both stood up and Annie gave me a hug before going back to work. I returned to my table.

  “Looks like I have competition,” Felicity said, noting the hug.

  “No, you’re safe,” I said. “But it would be nice if you could check in on Annie to see how she’s doing. I think she could use a friend to talk to from time to time.”

  “I was already planning on doing that, but it was nice of you to ask.”

  I was about to sit down when the band started playing “The Band Played On,” and I impulsively said to Felicity, “How about a dance?”

  “I’m not the greatest dancer, but I’ll give it a shot if you will,” she said.

  We walked over and stepped onto the dance floor among a few other couples. I hadn’t bothered mentioning that I had never been on a dance floor in my life, but Felicity quickly learned this, and gently guided me around the floor. My main concern was holding Felicity and taking in the feel of her body close to mine and the scent of her perfume. As the quartet sang, “Casey would waltz with the strawberry blonde, and the band played on,” we danced with our heads close together and my head touching her strawberry blonde hair.

  When the song ended, Felicity decided not to press her luck and risk bodily harm by attempting another dance, and she led me back to our seats. It was getting late, so we finished our coffee and retraced our steps through the biergarten, the Italian restaurant, and the Chinese restaurant.

  “How everything?” Jimmy asked Felicity as I paid the bill.

  “Everything was wonderful, as usual,” Felicity said.

  I grabbed a mint and studied the souvenirs in the display case below the counter. I considered buying a bright green T-shirt with lettering on the front that said, “I ate at Jimmy Chang’s and lived to tell about it,” but Felicity noticed my interest and dragged me out onto the street.

  Jimmy hollered as we were leaving, “You come back soon, hear!”

  Felicity dominated the conversation on the way back to Cordoba with stories about the town and its residents. When we arrived at the boardinghouse, she made a quick inspection of the dining room and kitchen and finding that Costello had cleaned up and left everything in order, we climbed the stairs holding hands. I made another attempt to follow Felicity to her room but was once again turned away and pointed toward my room. This time I got a slight kiss on the lips, so I guess I was making progress.

  > CHAPTER 38

  OUT OF CORDOBA

  The next morning, I awoke early, got out of bed, and went to the bathroom to wash up and brush my teeth. I returned to my room and packed my clothes and other belongings I had bought in Bell City into their original plastic sales bags. I straightened up the room a little bit and headed downstairs, carrying the bags.

  There were suitcases sitting in the hallway by the front door which I assumed belonged to Costello. I started to place my bags next to them, looked at my luggage as compared to his, and stashed my bags around the door to the parlor and out of sight.

  I walked into the dining room, where everyone was already seated and digging into a breakfast of eggs, bacon, and rye toast. I said my hellos and dug in myself.

  “I guess you are losing a few boarders, Felicity,” Costello said between bites. “Forbes and I are ready to go, and Silas said he would be moving on in a few days.”

  “Yes, it will be a little lonely in this big house,” replied Felicity, “but I still have you, Fred, don’t I?”

  Fred shook his head in agreement. “I’m not going anywhere, except over to Mrs. C’s to work on her roof. And I better be getting over there.”

  He got up and shook hands with Costello and walked around the table and grabbed my hand. “Milo, it’s been a pleasure. Hope to see you around here again sometime soon.”

  “I’m sure I’ll be back, Fred. Take care of yourself.”

  Silas then rose and said, “I’ll walk with you over to Mrs. C’s, Kid. I have work to do on her roof too.”

  He also shook hands with Costello and me, and he and Fred went out the door.

  When the three of us who remained were finished eating, Costello said, “Well, I guess it’s time for me to say good-bye. I’ve got a lot of driving to do today. And Las Vegas beckons.”


  He got up and walked into the hall, with Felicity and I following. Before he picked up his bags, he hugged Felicity and shook my hand. On his way out the door, he turned and said, “And remember, our conversation of yesterday should not be repeated.”

  “What conversation?” I replied. Costello smiled, headed for his car, and drove away.

  I helped Felicity with the dishes one last time. We talked a little bit about the previous night’s date, and Felicity mentioned how lonely the boardinghouse would be with just about everyone gone.

  “I’m sure you’ll get a new batch of visitors,” I said.

  “Yes, there are always people passing through. But I’d prefer a little repeat business,” she said, looking at me.

  After the dishes were done, I told Felicity I was going to take a quick walk around town and say my good-byes. I asked her if she wanted to join me, but she declined, saying she wanted to do some reading and thinking.

  I went out into another hot, sunny desert day and turned down Elm Street to the Flagg sisters’ house. They were sitting on their usual perch. Since it was still early in the day, the lemonade had just been made and the glass pitcher was filled with ice cubes that hadn’t yet melted. I stayed a short time while Ruth told me about her regrets about wearing that red dress and helping the FBI catch Dillinger. I said my good-byes and continued.

  “Come back soon, young man,” said Ruth.

  “Soon,” repeated Mabel.

  “Soon,” said Jewel.

  I have never visited the Grand Canyon, but I imagine this is what it would sound like if you hollered over the edge.

  I retraced my steps and walked over to Doc’s house. There were no patients waiting, so I talked to Leo and Doc for a while, got a big hug and a thank you from Leo and a hearty handshake from Doc, and proceeded over to Mrs. C’s. Fred and Silas were both on the roof, Fred repairing the hole and Silas installing a lightning rod. Roy was out on the front lawn, cleaning up some of the remaining debris from the lightning strike.

  “Go right in,” he yelled as I walked up the path. “No appointment necessary.”

  I went in and found Mrs. C in her usual spot beside the fire. The magazines were resting on the table beside her chair, and her eyes were half closed.

  “Come in, Milo,” she said when she saw me. I entered and took a seat by the fire, forgetting the heat. “I was just daydreaming about my past experiences. You know, what with the roller derby and my life in San Francisco, I’ve led an exciting life. But I think I’ve been much happier living here with Roy these past years in tiny, dusty Cordoba. I don’t think I realized it until the past few days, but there’s something to be said for living a quiet, peaceful life with someone you love, surrounded by people who care for you. Do you know what I mean, Milo?”

  I smiled. “It’s hard not to know where you’re going since it’s been drummed into my head from almost everyone in town since I arrived.”

  Mrs. C smiled back. “Not too subtle, are we? Still, there’s truth in what we say, and we’re only thinking about your well-being.”

  I thanked Mrs. Cavendish for caring, and she thanked me for my help as she stood and gave me a hug. I walked outside, gave a wave to Roy, and headed back to the boardinghouse.

  Felicity was sitting in a chair in the parlor, a book in her lap. She was holding a handkerchief and I suspected she had been crying but couldn’t tell for sure.

  Her expression changed to a smile when she saw me, and she walked out into the hall.

  “Said all your good-byes?” she asked.

  “Just about. I’ll stop and see Ben on the way out of town.”

  We stood awkwardly without talking for a minute; then Felicity grew serious and said, “I guess there’s no way I can convince you to stay?”

  “I’d like to,” I replied truthfully, “but I have things to take care of back in San Diego.” I couldn’t think of any at the moment.

  “Then you better get back,” she said, turning angry, “but before you go, let me give you three good reasons why you should stay in Cordoba.

  “Number one, from what you told me last night, you’ve made more friends in Cordoba in less than a week than you have in San Diego in all the years you’ve lived there.”

  I didn’t reply, so she continued. “Number two, you’ll have to come back for this.” She reached into the drawer in the stand where she had kept Leo’s magazines, pulled out a playing card, and placed it face down on the table.

  “What’s this?” I turned the card over to discover that it was my missing six of hearts.

  “You can’t play solitaire in San Diego without it, so you might as well bring your deck of cards back here. Besides, I think you’ll discover solitaire doesn’t compare to a good game of canasta with your new friends.”

  “Where did you get this?” I asked, startled.

  “Hector found it under the seat of your car before it was towed to Bell City.”

  “Well, you’ve made some pretty good points.”

  “And if those aren’t enough to keep you here, here’s a third reason.” She came over, threw her arm around my neck, and kissed me passionately for a long time.

  When she was done, she asked, “Well, what about it?”

  “Sorry,” I said, “but I’m still going back to San Diego.”

  As a look of disappointment came over her face, I quickly continued. “I have to pick up a change of underwear and my deck of cards to bring back.”

  The smile returned to her face and she kissed me again. “Which of my three points convinced you?”

  I pointed to the playing card on the table. “I really need that card.”

  Felicity feigned anger and pushed me toward the door. “Get out of here and go back and get your things. I’ll put your bags back up in your room.”

  “Maybe I could get an upgrade to the master suite,” I said.

  “Don’t rush things, cowboy,” she said and gave me another push.

  As I was walking down the steps, I wondered if I should tell Felicity that she hadn’t needed to convince me to stay. I had decided that last night when I was holding her on the dance floor and the band played on. I decided not to tell her.

  I jumped into my car and drove down Main Street to the diner, parking in the gravel lot next to it. I guessed that I would find Ben here since it was around lunchtime. Before entering I headed across the street and went into the general store. Sam was standing at the counter reading a magazine. She looked up when the little bell rang.

  I walked over to the counter. “I wanted to say good-bye before I left and thank you for your help.”

  “But you…you can’t leave yet,” she stammered. “We haven’t solved the case of the prowler yet.”

  “I don’t think we’ll see any more of him,” I assured her.

  “I saw Mr. Costello driving away. I’ll bet it was him, huh.”

  “I wouldn’t be surprised.”

  “Maybe we’ll never know what he was looking for.”

  I nodded. “I guess no one will ever know.”

  “Well, you still don’t have to leave,” Sam said. “There are other reasons…”

  “Save your breath,” I cut her off. “I’m coming back.”

  Sam ran around the counter and hugged me. “Maybe we can work on another case,” she said as I left.

  “Maybe,” I replied.

  I headed across the street to the diner and found Ben, Phil, and Hilda in their usual places. As usual, the rest of the diner was empty.

  I walked over and sat next to Ben as Hilda placed a cup of coffee in front of me.

  “Heading out?” asked Ben.

  “Yes. I was just leaving and wanted to stop and say good-bye.”

  “I don’t suppose…”

  I cut Ben off. “I’ve already heard the Chamber of Commerce speech. I’ll be returning.”

  “That’s great,” said Ben. “Phil and I were just talking. I don’t suppose you’d be interested in becoming the permanent town sheriff? The job doesn
’t pay much, enough to cover room and board and a little extra, but then as you’ve seen, there’s not a lot to spend money on out here.

  “We could use a man of your caliber,” Ben continued. “The office has been vacant for quite a while since the last sheriff left.”

  “Why did the last sheriff leave?” I asked.

  “Went off to join the Union Army,” Phil jumped in. As usual, I couldn’t tell whether he was joking or not, but then again, it didn’t matter.

  “I’ll take the job,” I replied to Ben, “with one condition. You let me hire a deputy sheriff.”

  “We hardly have enough money in the budget for one sheriff,” Ben protested.

  “Not a problem. I know someone who will work for peanuts.”

  I said my good-byes to Phil, Ben, and Hilda and headed for the door. “I’ll be back in a few weeks.”

  As I left, Rosemary Clooney was singing “Give me the Simple Life” on the jukebox.

  “Make that a few days,” I corrected myself.

  I got in my car and headed out of town. A little way down the road, I pulled over. I opened the glove box and pulled out two souvenirs from my stay in Cordoba—a small brass button and a pearl-handled penknife. I got out of the car, put the button in my pocket, and walked over to the sign welcoming visitors to Cordoba.

  Underneath the crossed-out “73” on the sign, I carved the number 74 into the wood.

  I got back in the car, drove south until I reached Route 8, and turned right.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Steve Laracy’s work has appeared in Clare Literary Magazine, Candlesticks and Daggers: An Anthology of Mixed-Genre Mysteries, and Crimson Streets.