by Greg Miller
She took a deep breath and stood up to leave.
“Why do you sound so knowledgeable about this?”
“Because I am knowledgeable about this. I studied accounting.”
“You did?” Gavin squinted.
“Well, I took some classes. Accounting is one of the best careers for people with Asperger’s.”
“Why didn’t you say any of this before?”
Emily shrugged. “I didn’t think it was my place.”
A faint smile showed on Gavin’s face as he motioned for her to sit back down. “Could you do all of that? I mean, could you get a system in place so that I don’t have to spend so much time in here?”
“Sure. I could keep the books, do the whole thing if you wanted me to. Does this mean you actually want my help?”
Gavin nodded. “Of course! I absolutely loathe paperwork. It’s torture for me.”
Emily smiled. “I’m just the opposite. Bookkeeping appeals to my OCD side, and I like repetitious work to keep me occupied.”
Gavin leaned back in his chair, gazing at her in amazement. “I really think this could work. This could be a huge help.”
Emily smiled again, then her expression became serious. “Okay, but it may take me a few days to get things set up, so please don’t put any pressure on me. I don’t work well under pressure. I’ll just need some peace and quiet.”
“No pressure,” Gavin said, lifting his palms. “Take as long as you need.”
She got up from the couch, went over to the desk, and stood looking down at him. “Can I get there?”
“Oh! Yes, of course.” He hastily got up, giving her his chair.
Emily opened the drawer and pulled out a pile of receipts, dumping them on the desk. Gavin watched as she examined one before putting it to the side. She looked at another, and put it in a different spot. Then she looked at Gavin out of the corner of her eye. “You can go now.”
“Right. I’ll leave you to it, then.”
“Please close the door on your way out,” she said, waving goodbye.
The MG’s engine block was suspended upside down on a stand, and an assortment of parts and ziplock bags containing nuts and bolts were tidily laid out on the table beside it.
Gavin wiped his hands on his coveralls as he walked up behind Gus, who was hunched over the engine.
“How’s it looking so far?”
“Not too bad,” Gus replied. “Pushrods are straight. The crank looks okay, but I’d still like it tested. You want to send out the carb?”
Gavin stared at the carburetor resting on the bench. “No, I’ll rebuild it myself. I should have the time now.”
Gus turned and leaned back against the table. “I have to say that I think this could be a very good thing with Emily.”
Gavin smiled. “I can’t tell you how good it felt not having to worry about doing paperwork today – I just hope it all works out.”
“You have doubts?”
“I just know her.” Gavin chuckled. “And can foresee some other problems with her being here.”
“There’ll always be problems,” Gus said. “But if you can spend all that extra time in the shop, how many more cars will we be able to get out of here?”
“I know,” Gavin said. “You don’t have to sell me on the idea.”
“So stop worrying about everything. It’ll work if you want it to.”
“Quitting time,” Daryl called, walking over from the far end of the shop.
Gavin glanced at the clock. “Are those brakes done yet?”
“Almost. I’ll finish ’em tomorrow,” he replied, cracking his knuckles. “Is Emily still here?”
Gavin nodded.
“Wow, she hasn’t left that office all day, has she?”
Gavin shook his head. “She should be an inspiration to you.”
“Yeah, right.” Daryl smirked. “It was weird having you in here working with us the whole time.”
“You mean you couldn’t goof off as much?”
“I don’t goof off.” Daryl frowned. “And those brake drums were rusted together, I had a hell of a time getting ’em apart.” He looked at the floor. “You’re not thinking of letting me go, are you?”
“I’m always thinking of letting you go.” Gavin smiled. Then he noticed Daryl’s concerned face. “Why would you think that?”
“I just know things are slow and was thinking you might not need me, or be able to pay me, anymore.”
“Don’t worry.” Gavin sighed. “I’m hoping my extra time in here will help us to actually turn a profit.”
“Maybe you’ll be able to give me a raise then.” He grinned.
“Believe me,” Gavin said. “There’s nothing I’d like more than to give us all a raise. We deserve it.”
“Wow.” Daryl smiled. “I wasn’t expecting you to say that.”
“Let’s all just try to make this thing work.”
Daryl looked him in the eyes, nodding.
“See you tomorrow, guys,” Gavin said, and left.
He went down the hall to his office, but the door was still closed. He knocked.
“Come in!”
Opening the door, he saw Emily sitting on the floor amid stacks of receipts and filing folders. A pile of his sweaters and scarves lay on the couch.
“You don’t have to knock, silly.” She smiled. “It may look like a mess, but I’m getting everything from the last year organized.”
“That’s great,” Gavin said, stepping carefully between the stacks of paper as he made his way to the couch. He pushed the clothes to one side and sat down.
“I’m sorry, but you’ll have to find another place for your winter things.”
“I’ll have to find another filing cabinet.” He chuckled, then reached over and pulled a black ski mask from the pile. “I was wondering where this was.”
Emily went back to rifling through a thick handful of receipts.
“It’s after five and the guys have left. I was wondering if you wanted to talk about the investigation?”
“Oh … the investigation.” She stopped and turned to look up at him. “I’ve been so hyper-focused on this that I’d almost forgotten about it.”
Gavin nodded. “Maybe that’s a good thing.”
“Perhaps,” Emily said, crawling onto her knees to face him. “But I’d really like to discuss it now.” She twisted her lips, staring at the floor. “How likely do you think it is that there’s an innocent explanation for Dennis having that engine Peter told us about?”
Gavin lifted his eyebrows. “It doesn’t seem very likely to me. He doesn’t have any older Jags that it could have come from, and he doesn’t exactly seem like the hands on type anyway.”
Emily nodded, then squinted an eye. “But that’s assuming Dennis actually has one.”
“That’s a good point,” Gavin said. “If Peter’s the culprit he could be trying to throw us off.”
“So how can we find out?”
“I think there’s only one way we can: go and take a look.”
Emily glanced at the ski mask resting on Gavin’s knee. “You’re proposing we break into his garage?”
Gavin nodded. “I checked the satellite view. He has a detached garage so it shouldn’t be too difficult.”
“I really don’t like this idea.” She took a deep breath. “But I don’t see any alternative. When did you want to do it?”
“No time like the present.” He shrugged. “Do you mind driving? My car’s too conspicuous.”
Emily made a pained face.
“Come on.” Gavin smiled, standing up. “I’ll treat you to dinner before we go. For all your hard work today.”
CHAPTER 10
The weathered brick wall at the back of Gavin’s shop glowed beneath the nearby street light. Emily backed her ba
ttered Honda away from the overhead doors with Gavin sitting beside her in the passenger seat. The car rolled up to the corner and came to a stop.
“You should put your headlights on,” Gavin said, glancing at her.
“Oh. Thanks for reminding me.” She nodded.
“Turn right onto Franklin Street,” the GPS said, in it’s typically robotic tone.
Gavin frowned. “Do we really need to have that thing on? I can tell you how to get to the highway.”
“I like having it on,” Emily replied, looking intensely at the passing traffic. “I’m used to having it tell me where to go.”
Gavin bit his tongue.
There was a break in the traffic. Emily turned the wheel sharply and stepped on the accelerator. Gavin’s mouth dropped open. Before he could say a word, they were jolted and flung forward as the back tire hit the curb and the car bounced up in the air.
“Oh, damn!” She kept going until, with another jolt, the car dropped back down off the sidewalk.
“Don’t say anything! I know I’m not the greatest driver.”
“It’s okay. Would you like me to drive?”
“No, thank you. I’m just a bit nervous with you here. Don’t watch me, alright?”
“Alright,” he said, with a look of mild concern, as the car accelerated down the road.
The miles passed in silence and soon they were traveling on the highway. Emily knitted her brows, glancing over at him. “Why are you so quiet?”
“I didn’t want to distract you.”
“Oh, I’m okay now. It’s just when I’m negotiating traffic that I get a little stressed. So, what should we talk about?”
“How did you like working in the office today?”
“I really liked it, couldn’t you tell?” She smiled. “I forgot all of my troubles. And what a terrible year it’s been.”
“I had a good day, too,” Gavin said. “Maybe it’s the beginning of some better times for both of us.”
“I hope so.” She sighed. ‘But I have a feeling there will be a few more hurdles to get over.”
“It’s possible tonight could be the last of them.”
“You mean if we find out that Dennis has the engine?”
Gavin nodded.
“Do you have a plan for how to get in?”
“Take Exit 39 in one mile,” the GPS interrupted.
Gavin sneered at the screen on the center console. “Not really. I’ll have to check the place out and hope he doesn’t have an alarm system.”
She took a sharp breath. “What if he does?”
“I should be able to deactivate it. But if not, I’ll just have to be quick getting in and out.”
“Well, that’s scary,” she said, looking over at him. “I’m getting an adrenaline rush just thinking about it.”
“Merge onto Route 48 and proceed two miles,” the GPS instructed.
Gavin spotted a brightly lit filling station at the approaching intersection. “I think we’re almost there. Do you need to fill up?”
Emily glanced at the gauge. “It’s okay, I still have over half a tank. What if you get caught?”
“I won’t,” Gavin said. “But don’t panic if the police come by while you’re waiting. Just tell them you’re lost. And if Dennis or anyone else comes out just drive away and I’ll meet you at that station we just passed.”
Emily took a deep breath. “Okay, that’s a good plan. I just hope we won’t need it.”
“Turn right onto Maple Hill Road. Your destination will be on the left,” the GPS said.
Emily followed the GPS directions and made the turn, driving slowly while they scanned the darkened houses as they passed by. It was an exclusive neighborhood with large, contemporary homes spaced far apart, set some distance back from the road.
“I think that’s it,” she said, just as the GPS informed them they’d reached their destination.
The modern two-story home was set on a modest hill. It had one attached garage and one larger detached garage off to the side, slightly closer to the road.
“That looks like a good place to park,” Gavin said, pointing to a spot that was a few houses down, obscured by some bushes and trees.
Emily turned her car around and brought it to a stop in the shadows.
“This is perfect,” Gavin said. “You have a good view and, if he has the engine, I think it’s most likely going to be in that lower garage.”
“You’re going to stay on the phone with me, right?”
“Yes. Keep an eye out, and tell me if anything happens. You remember what to do if the police or anyone else should come by?”
Emily nodded. She took her phone from her purse and tapped on the screen. Gavin pulled his phone from his pocket just as it began to vibrate.
“I’m going to keep you on speaker. Do you have your earphone?”
He nodded, taking it from his pocket and placing it behind his ear.
“Can you hear me?”
“Yes, I think we’re good.” Gavin reached down and picked up a small tool bag from the floor. “Okay. This is it,” he said, pulling the ski mask out of the bag and over his head.
Emily took a deep breath. “Please be careful.”
He opened the car door and got out. “Don’t worry, I shouldn’t be long,” he said, then turned away, disappearing into the shadows.
Emily looked around nervously. “Gavin, can you hear me?” she whispered.
His voice came over the phone’s tinny speaker, “Yes. What is it?”
“I was just making sure. Where are you?”
“I’m still making my way to the garage,” he said, through heavy breaths. “I’ll tell you when I get there.”
She stared at the house and garage, and began tapping her fingers on the steering wheel. “Gavin, are you there yet?”
“No. I’ll tell you when I am.”
“Okay, okay, sorry.” Emily continued staring at the garage. A minute passed. She opened her mouth to speak, but managed to stop herself. A moment later she opened her mouth again, but slowly closed it. She anxiously wriggled around in the seat to get more comfortable and went back to rhythmically tapping the steering wheel.
Finally, she heard Gavin’s voice on the speaker. “Alright, I’ve made it to the garage, I’m just getting my flashlight out to look in the window.”
She knitted her brows. “How did you get there? I didn’t see you cross the lawn and haven’t taken my eyes off the place.”
“There was a motion-sensing light, so I had to go all the way around the back to avoid it.”
“Oh. That was smart.”
A second later a beam of light dimly illuminated the windows of the garage. Emily heard the sound of an approaching car. “Gavin! Turn off the flashlight – a car’s coming.”
The garage instantly went dark.
Emily slid down in the seat as the car drove past slowly and continued out of sight. “It’s gone now. It’s okay. Can you see if the engine’s there?”
“No. I’m picking the lock on the back door … okay, I’ve got it. I’m going in.”
Suddenly, the driveway and lawn were flooded by the lights at the front of the garage.
“Gavin!”
“I know, I know.”
“Gavin, the lights in the house just came on too: you must have set off the alarm!”
“I think I see the engine under a tarp, I’ll just have to be quick …”
The front door of the house opened and Dennis stepped out, wearing a bathrobe and holding something in his hand.
“Oh God,” Emily exclaimed. “Dennis just came out of the front door, Gavin, you’ve got to get out of there now!” There was no reply. “Gavin, did you hear me? He’s walking down to the garage and – I think he’s carrying a gun, Gavin!”
The phone’s speake
r was quiet. Emily grabbed it and looked at the screen. “Oh crap,” she said, seeing that the connection had been lost. She hit redial, and waited as Gavin’s phone began to ring. “Come on Gavin, pick up, please, pick up.” After a few rings it went to his voicemail. “God damn it!”
Dennis reached the garage and began looking around the outside. He looked up and down the street, then towards Emily’s car, but didn’t seem to notice it parked in the shadows. Emily slid down as she hit redial, again. She watched as Dennis raised the pistol in his hand and disappeared around the corner of the garage, heading, it seemed, to the back door through which Gavin had entered.
“Please have heard me, please have heard me, please have heard me and be out of there,” Emily repeated to herself as if in prayer.
The sound of the phone ringing stopped as Gavin picked up. “Emily?”
“Gavin, thank God! Did you hear what I said?”
“No. I don’t think so.”
“Where are you?”
“I’m in the garage.”
“Gavin, Dennis is right outside and he has a gun! He’ll be coming in any second, you’ve got to hide!”
“He has a gun?”
“Yes,” Emily said in a hushed scream. “And he’s at the back door. Hide!”
The windows of the garage were suddenly lit as Dennis switched on the lights.
“Oh God!” Emily gasped. The phone’s speaker was silent. She looked at the screen and saw that the connection had been lost, again. “Damn, damn, damn, damn, damn!”
Emily began to hyperventilate and started talking to herself. “There’s no way he could have hidden, he didn’t have time. Maybe Gavin hit him in the back of the head when he came in, and knocked him out. No, the lights are still on – Gavin would have turned them back off. Keep calm, keep calm, I need to assess the situation in order to determine a logical course of action.”
She took a deep breath. “Should I stay here, or should I go to that filling station?” She thought for a second. “There’s no point in going to the filling station if Gavin can’t meet me there, and then I wouldn’t know what’s going on here. So I have to stay and see what happens.” She nodded to herself.
“What if Dennis called the police and they come?” She thought for another moment. “Okay, we just tell them the truth and get arrested, that’s not so bad. But what if Dennis doesn’t call the police? What if he’s the murderer and he kills Gavin? Oh God, no! Should I call the police then? I don’t know!