FIRST STEP MURDER

by H. R. Whidden

  After dinner the girls had ice cream and soon Mindy’s eyes were closing, Faxon carried her up the steps and into the bedroom laying her down. Faxon told Linda he’d be close by and they’d have breakfast in the morning together. He mentioned a tutor coming in the morning to meet with the girls. He didn’t want their education to suffer. When he walked out Linda stepped out with him and closed the door behind her. She reached out and held his hand.

  “I saw pictures of a tall blond girl riding horses on your laptop, it’s not hard to see you’re sad about something, you’re hurt, broken hearted. I know we don’t know each other that way but I could easily see myself loving you.”

  “It would be so easy for me too Linda, you’re young and beautiful and I already love your girls, and no matter what happens I want to be a part of their lives. And with that comes everyone that knows me, but I love someone else. I don’t know if we’ll ever be together and yes she broke my heart, but right now I can’t help the way I feel.”

  Linda leaned over and kissed him. “You’re a damn good man Faxon Bennett and thank you for everything.”

  Linda went back inside and locked the door, then bolted it, and put the chain on.

  “Mom, are you and Faxon, well are you two going to be a couple,” Katie asked? She had already changed and had her nightshirt on and was lying on the couch with a pillow and a blanket.

  “I don’t think so sweetheart,” Linda said.

  “He’s in love with that tall blond girl we saw riding those horses isn’t he?”

  “Yes Katie, he is.”

  “I wonder what happened between them that their not together, Faxon’s such a good guy, and I can’t imagine what he could have done to make her leave him.”

  “I can’t either Katie, but I want you to know he really likes you and Mindy and he wants to be a part of your lives. That’s a very valuable thing Katie. Now you go to sleep, Faxon said he has a private tutor coming to meet you tomorrow.”

  Faxon stayed in the bar until closing time it was only William and him, he leaned his head down on his crossed arms as he sat at the bar and William counted the night’s receipts.

  “So what’s going on Faxon, Linda’s pretty and I can tell you really like the girls but it’s not like you to get over Harper so quickly.”

  “I’m not over Harper William. This is all about Harper. Her name is Linda Walker her husband was Ensign Jessie Walker, he’s the man that killed Harper’s parents. The man that organized their death, he’s been supporting them according to the agreement he made with Ensign Walker, but now the Government is after him and he tried to have them all killed. If I hadn’t been there his plan would’ve worked, so now I’ve convinced her to testify against him, but I’ve accepted the responsibility of taking care of them. So you see William this is all about Harper, Linda’s young and pretty and I’ve already committed myself to her and the girls. Their great kids they deserve a good life, and well, it would be so easy for me to be with Linda, except for one huge pain in my ass. I still love Harper.”

  “You’re the best man I know Faxon, so where are you going to stay the night,” William asked?

  “I guess on the floor in the storeroom, it’ll be close, no one would be able to get up the stairs without me hearing them. Although I don’t think anyone will find them here, and you need to keep this story to yourself just keep letting the girls around here believe I’ve lost my senses over Harper and I’ve taken up with a widow and her two daughters. They won’t be here long, just until Linda testifies in front of a grand jury, then I think I have somewhere more suitable for them.”

  William rummaged through some of the restaurant’s closets and storage rooms and found a pile of old tablecloths. Faxon made a crude bed on the floor of the storage room.

  Up early he walked up the steps to the door of the apartment and listened for anyone up and moving around inside but the smell of bacon cooking answered his question and he knocked. Katie opened the door, she had on a pair of jeans and a button up shirt, Mindy sat on the couch playing a game on his laptop, she was dressed similar. Linda stood at the stove, she was bare foot and wore a long t-shirt that she obviously slept in, it came down to mid-thigh, Faxon looked away thinking about Harper standing there doing the same thing, only in a much shorter shirt.

  “Mom, go get dressed,” Katie said. She pulled her mom by the arm into the bedroom as Faxon looked the other way, Linda laughed at his embarrassment.

  “The bacon’s going to burn,” she said from the bedroom.

  “I got it, I haven’t been a bachelor this long without learning to cook a little, how do you girls like your eggs?”

  “Scrambled hard,” they both said at the same time. “Mom says you have a tutor coming to meet us this morning,” Katie said.

  “I don’t want you to get behind in school. You’ll like her she’s tough but fair, and you’ll learn a lot more than just reading and writing. Come on sit up here at the table.”

  “I made a list of some things we need,” Linda said coming out of the bedroom. She was dressed similar to her daughters, jeans, button up the front shirt, and tennis shoes, she was brushing her hair. “I hope we can get out today even if it’s just to go shopping.”

  “How do you like your eggs,” Faxon asked?

  “Same as the girls,” she said.

  “Well I need to buy a couple of single beds for the girls, and we can go by the grocery store, but we’re going to have to work on your look a little bit. Sunglasses and maybe a ball cap for you and the girls. But we don’t go anywhere until the tutor has evaluated Katie and Mindy, and with that said I’ll leave you to eat and I’ll go down to meet them at the door.”

  “I should be fixing you breakfast, not the other way around,” Linda rubbed his back as he put her scrambled eggs and bacon on her plate. “Where did you sleep last night? On the floor, your backs all in knots,” she said.

  Faxon turned around and handed her the plate. “Don’t worry about me, I was close,” he smiled and looked into those large brown eyes. “I’m not going to let anything happen to you or the girls.” It was hard not to lean over and kiss her, she wanted it and to be truthful he did too. “I have to go downstairs and let them in when they get here.”

  Rachel and Conner had gotten up earlier than they normally would have. She fought off Conner’s early morning attentions and went to the house to see if Harper had gone for her morning run. She was gone and her and Conner got in the Audie and drove away from the house. They were about to park on the street near the restaurant when Rachel’s cell phone rang.

  “It’s Harper, no doubt wondering where we went I don’t like lying to her. Hello, good morning Harper how was your run?”

  “Punishing as always, where are you and Conner going so early today? Hell I didn’t think you two got off each other until noon.”

  “We decided to spend the day in the city today.”

  “Why do I think there’s more to this story than you’re telling me?”

  “Probably because you’re an over curious, must know everything, bitch. We just wanted to have some fun don’t be jealous you had someone to spend time with, call him, maybe it’s not too late and he’ll take your suborn ass back.”

  “Ok, have a good time.”

  “It’s stopped shocking me how you two talk to each other, crap how long will it be before I start talking like the two of you,” Conner said.

  Harper thought for a minute, then picked up her cell phone. “Lew, hi, it’s Harper how are you doing?”

  “Harper, are you and Faxon together again?”

  “No Lew, not exactly, we still have something that’s unresolved, but I need your help.”

  “Harper I don’t want to get in the middle of anything, if it’s something to do with Faxon I’d rather stay out of it.”

  “It’s about my Aunt Rachel she’s keeping something from me. I just want to know where she’s been going. If you could check her GPS locations for today I’d be glad to pay you whatever you want
Lew, you can do that can’t you?”

  “Yea I can do it, give me the cell number and I’ll check it out.”

  As soon as they got to the door Faxon was unlocking it to let them in. He hugged Rachel, very uncharacteristic of him.

  “It’s hard for me,” Faxon said. “You’re so much like her.”

  “Sorry Faxon she’s taken,” Conner said as they shook hands.

  “You look like shit,” Rachel said. “You’re both stupid. Now tell me what this is about.”

  “Come on let’s sit down, do you know why were not with each other?”

  “Yea she explained it and I don’t agree with her, torturing someone is not acceptable I believe you’re right it would have changed her and you. You did the right thing, I also told her you wouldn’t give up.”

  “You’re right there. The man that actually drove the car into Harper’s parent’s car was talked into killing himself. He made a deal with the man we’ve been looking for. The deal was this man would support his wife and two daughters and for a long time I’ve been looking for them.”

  “You found them,” Rachel said.

  “I did, they were living in Philly, I went there and the first night I was there the man sent two men to kill them. Long story short I convinced her and her daughters to come here with me and she agreed to reveal the man’s name and testify against him. I promised I’d take care of them Rachel.”

  “Ok, do you know the man’s name,” Rachel asked?

  “I do, but Linda needs to interview with Detective Walker and the States Attorney General and then the Grand Jury.”

  “Damn-it Faxon call Harper and tell her and this shit between you two will be over.”

  “I can’t, she has to find out on her own so I don’t want you to say anything to her. It’ll be all over the news soon enough. She has to forgive me, and it has to be her idea.”

  “So what’s my part in all this,” she asked?

  “The two girls are going to be kept out of school for a while until their mother finishes testifying. In just a little while I’ll have another place for them to go, but not until Linda testifies. I need you to tutor the girls so they don’t fall behind in school. I made a promise Rachel, if you don’t want to do it I’ll understand. I thought today you could talk to the girls get a feel of where they are and then we can buy whatever text books and materials they need.”

  “I can see it on your face Faxon, you like these girls. Is their mother attractive?”

  “Attractive and young, and yes I like the girls, but I’m in love with Harper, and she knows it, nothing’s happened if that’s what you’re thinking.”

  “So are they going to know who I am,” Rachel asked.

  “They only know you’re a tutor come to help them, but I don’t want you to lie, if it comes up you can tell them whatever you want. I think their safe here nobody knows who they are or where they are, when Linda testifies it’s gonna go public and be all over the news and I’ll have to move them then. In the mean time I just want you both to be prepared, the man behind this has sent some bad guys to try and kill them and they won’t hesitate killing anyone in their way. Rachel I’ll pay you whatever you want for your time and help, and of course any supplies or books they’ll need.”

  “Don’t worry about the money Faxon, were family, and besides I’ll spend Harper’s money, she’s never says anything about what I do and if there’s anything you need you better ask me or I’ll get Conner to help me kick your ass. Now let’s go meet these girls.”

  When Rachel and Faxon got up she hugged him again.

  “I feel so much better knowing this shit between you and Harper will be over. Between watching her punish herself and the shitty mood she’s always in I’ve about had enough.”

  “It’s true Faxon,” Conner said. “Harper wouldn’t let us drive the Porsche, she won’t drive it either, she’s as much as said she bought it for you.”

  They went up the stairs and Faxon knocked on the door before opening. First name introductions were made, Conner stood close to the door out of the way. Linda and Faxon eventually sat on the couch together while the girls sat in the two chairs at the table and Rachel pulled up a chair and sat with them. She was given a legal pad and pen and began asking the girls questions about what grade they were in, and what text books they were using, she asked about some of the test they had taken, and what books they had read. The whole time Linda looked at Rachel and occasionally Rachel looked back at her, uncomfortable of how close she sat to Faxon.

  Faxon’s cell phone rang and he walked out of the apartment to answer it, he’d seen who it was from on the caller ID.

  “John, I’m surprised I haven’t heard from you before now. I guess you got a call from a Detective at the Philadelphia Police Department.”

  “Yea I did, Faxon, what I want to know is have you got something that’s going to solve a lot of cases for us?”

  “I do John. Linda has told me the name of the Marine commanding officer behind everything. She witnessed what the man told her husband to do, and she’s said she’ll testify before a Grand Jury and in court. I was going to call you later today I guess you and the DA will want to hear her story first.”

  “Ya Faxon, this is huge, I’ll set up a meeting and call you back. When our prisoner, Ensign Ronald Beale finds out someone is going to testify maybe he’ll accept a deal and confess the man’s involvement. “

  “What did the Detective in Philly say about the men that tried to kill Linda and her daughters,” Faxon asked?

  “He said you’re a real bad ass,” John laughed. “The two men didn’t speak any English and the interpreter got them to admit they were Saudi nationals, he said they were ready to tell who sent them when the FBI came in and took them away. I suspect they know already who’s behind this whole thing and he’ll make the FBI’s most wanted list.”

  “Call me when the DA wants to meet with Linda and I’ll bring her in John.”

  “I guess I don’t have to say keep her safe, and be careful.”

  Rachel spent about an hour with the girls and had taken two pages of notes. They were tired of being in the small apartment and Rachel couldn’t blame them. Conner always ready for an adventure agreed with Rachel to go with Linda, the girls, and Faxon to buy two single beds and have them delivered to the apartment, William agreed to let them in when they came. With two small beds bought, sheets, pillows, and bed spreads, Faxon paid extra to have them delivered today. Rachel enjoyed shopping and buying new clothes for Linda and the girls and she found some things for herself. Then it was time for lunch and a cold beer for Faxon and Conner.

  Rachel realized why Faxon liked the girls so much and she didn’t miss Linda walking close to Faxon and the way she looked at him when she thought no one was watching. She had come to the conclusion that would be the way any mother would react to a man that loved her children. They stopped at a book store and bought everything the girls would need and Rachel gave them each a chapter to start with. Before leaving they made arrangements to start tomorrow at 9:00 am.

  Faxon, Linda, and the girls went to the grocery store before going back to the apartment.

  “You let them buy too much junk food Faxon,” Linda said.

  They whispered as the girls helped carry the groceries up to the apartment.

  “It’s kind of a special occasion, new place and everything, I thought maybe tomorrow I’d buy them both a laptop, or maybe a pad,” he said.

  “You’re going to spoil them.”

  She leaned close to him he couldn’t help enjoy their incidental contact.

  “They’re going to need them for their studies, and both girls like to play games, I thought I’d get Katie and you a cell phone too, besides the girls can’t keep using mine.”

  “I hope there’s nothing on your laptop that you don’t want the girls to see, it’s probably too late if you do. I should have asked before letting them use it without supervision,” Linda said.

  “I don’t have anything
on there that they can’t see, trust me,” he said as they reached the top of the stairs.

  Linda stopped him before they walked in. “I do thrust you,” she leaned over and kissed him. “I know she hurt you, but I want you to know that I’m here for you, as a friend, or as a lover, but forever as a friend. If what you’ve said is true and I hope when you said you wanted to be part of my girls lives you were telling the truth, because they both love you, and there’s so much they can learn from you.”

  “I did mean it, and I keep my promises, I’ll help with the girls and you for as long as you need me, but don’t sell yourself short Linda, you’re a beautiful woman with two great kids. Come on let’s make dinner, I have somewhere to go, I’ll make sure William and everybody watches out for you.”

  Harper’s cell phone rang. “Harper its Lew, is that phone really registered to your Aunt? Is her name Rachel Evans?”

  “I wouldn’t lie to you Lew, Rachel Evans is my Aunt, she lives with me, and she was my father’s younger sister I swear.”

  “Well I told you I didn’t want to get in-between you and Faxon, but I’ll tell you anyway. Your Aunt went into the city, she went to Ned Devine’s, and she was there about two hours, then she went to a furniture store, and then to a women’s apparel store, an expensive one too. Then to a restaurant and a bookstore then Staples, and back to Ned Devine’s where they stayed about thirty minutes then they left. It looks like their almost to Littleton.”

  “Thanks Lew what do I owe you?”

  “You don’t owe me anything, but if you want to do me a favor then patch things up with Faxon. We’ve been friends for a long time and I never saw him as happy as he was with you Harper, and I’ve never seen him as sad as he’s been since you left. Can’t you just forget whatever it was that happened, he really loves you ya know?”