"The dead body is another of your clients?" Jon asked. He clapped Henry on the back. "Brother, you've had a lousy week."
"That's the thing," Henry said. "It was going along just fine until Sunday school class yesterday."
Jon tossed a look at Polly. "Sunday school? How did that wreck your week?"
"That's when Henry realized that every name on the list was someone he knew."
"Whew. I was afraid that your little church here in Iowa was calling out the sinners and putting their feet to the fire."
"Making noise," Henry announced and pulled the trigger on his drill.
In just a few minutes, the three paintings along the back wall of Polly's office were hung in place.
"Wait. That’s a Beryl Watson. They all are," Jon said. "How do I get her to paint something for me?"
Polly chuckled. "Ask her out on a date. She's in love with you. Every woman in town is in love with you." She pointed at the painting standing up against the bookshelves just inside the door. "Do you want me to ask Scott to hang that one?"
Henry craned his neck to see around the corner of the bookshelf. "I didn't notice it. That one's different. You want it to hang on the end of the bookshelf?"
"If you don't mind marring your beautiful woodwork."
"I'm just the man to do it. At least I can hide the hole I make. How about I do it after lunch? I want to get a different screw from my truck."
Jon giggled.
"What?" Polly asked.
"He said screw."
"Junior high."
"I know. At least you didn't say screw and wood in the same sentence."
"Just about the time I think you're all grown up. Where do you want to eat today?"
Jon shrugged. "I'm always up for your diner. You know that."
"Henry?"
He nodded. "That's fine."
"Did you want something else?"
"No. It's great."
"We can walk," Polly offered.
Jon scowled at her. "You're going to make me walk?"
"It's three blocks."
"I'm taking my truck," Henry said. "Not letting it out of my sight."
She put her hands up. "Fine. We'll take your truck. Lazy men."
~~~
These days when Polly walked into the diner, she recognized most everyone. Of course, Henry was popular with the crowd and walked around shaking hands and stopping to talk.
Lucy Parker, one of Polly's favorite people in town, waved at her from toward the back and pointed at a table. Her eyes lit up when she recognized Jon.
"Hi, Polly," Mary Dunnam said.
"Hi, Mary. How's your father doing?"
The woman's eyes lowered. "We moved him to the nursing home last Friday. He's so much more comfortable and they're wonderful people, but it's always hard. He wasn't happy about it."
Polly put her hand on Mary's shoulder. "I'm sorry. You know what, though? My boys love to go over and visit the residents there. I'll tell them to look out for him. Maybe we'll even send cookies."
"Would you?" Her eyes lit up. "That's the thing he's most worried about. He hates the idea that no one will come to see him. I promised that we'd be there."
"It's harder than you realize," Polly said. "He’ll miss the activity in your house and he loves your kids so much. You know he hates that he can't see them every day."
"They don't like it much either, but I just can't take care of him like he needs."
"And he understands that, too."
"I hope so. I'm going over after lunch. I'm meeting Ellen. She should be here any minute."
"Have a nice lunch and I'll tell Elijah to look for him."
Jon put his hand on Polly's back as they worked their way through the room. "You know everyone these days."
"I know more people than I did."
"Your boys go to the nursing home?"
"Not as much as they used to since things are so busy, but they do love those people. All sorts of built-in grandmas and grandpas who play games with the boys, applaud when they perform, ask about their schoolwork, and tell stories. I'm not sure how it all happened, except Elijah and Noah walked in one day and made friends."
"That's amazing."
"It is. It has nothing to do with me or Henry. It was all their idea. I was always scared of the nursing home, but they just accept it for what it is, and those people are their friends."
Henry sat down beside Jon. "What's the special?"
Polly glared at him. "You're the one who eats here all the time. Don't you know what Monday's specials are?"
"Meatloaf sandwich," Lucy said from behind her. "Mashed potatoes and gravy."
"That's what I want," Henry said. "And coffee."
"Polly?"
Polly chuckled. "It's been long enough that I am ready for another pork tenderloin. You'd think I would try something else, but you'd be wrong."
"And what about you, handsome?" Lucy asked Jon.
He beamed. "I love this town. Tell me what I should eat today, Lucy."
"Have you had our corned beef Reuben?"
"That sounds perfect. And I want onion rings, too."
Lucy gave Polly a sideways glance. "Will you leave his onion rings alone or do I need to make up an extra order for you?"
"Make the extra order," Henry said. "It's safer."
Polly started to protest and he put his hand up. "They sound good to me, too."
"You know, Jon," Polly said. "When people start to recognize you, you might as well just move in."
"Wouldn't that be great? But I don't think Chloe would go for it and Mama would string me up like a side of ham."
"How's Ray?"
"He's in Florida this week, and then next week he's in North Carolina. Since Chloe and I got together, he's taken most of the long-term travel. It's okay, but he needs to slow down." He glanced up and smiled. Polly turned to see what he was looking at.
"Well, look who came back to Bellingwood," Aaron Merritt said.
Henry started to stand and Aaron waved both men back down.
"Good to see you, Sheriff," Jon said, putting his hand out. "I'm only here to visit this time."
"Good to hear. We don't need Polly getting caught up in another big investigation."
"Polly doesn't need that either," she said. "But you all kept me nicely out of the other one. When all you do is find the body, people don't ask too many questions. Right?"
Henry chuckled. "Good thing. How are you, Aaron?"
"As good as can be expected. I hear a couple of your employees lost some equipment. And Dick, too? How you doing with that? Conyers taking care of you? Getting you checks so you can replace things and keep working?"
"We're in good shape."
"Talked to your aunt last week. She says you're thinking of moving your family out of town."
Jon bumped Polly's knee and mouthed, "What?"
She shook her head. "His parents. They're talking about building a house out in the country near his aunt and uncle. Me? I'm never moving again."
"Make her take you up to see that fancy new place they built for the bed and breakfast," Aaron said. "If you have time, that is. Lydia and I went up to have dinner with Reuben and Judy last week. What a beautiful home you built, Henry. That one should go into a portfolio. We don't see many homes like that here in Bellingwood."
"Thank you," Henry said. "You know Polly. She doesn't want to do things like everyone else."
Aaron bent and hugged Polly's shoulder. "That's my unique and clever girl. It's what makes you interesting." He gave her a gentle squeeze. "You and Henry need to meet us for dinner some evening. It's been too long. Call my wife."
"I will," Polly said.
"Be good to this girl," he told Henry and Jon. "I love her like I do my daughters. Good to see you, Jon."
"You too, sir."
"Sir?" Polly whispered after Aaron walked away. "Sir?"
"He just warned me to be good to you. It seemed like the right way to address him after that."
Henry chuckled. "Made me nervous, too. I thought marrying Polly was safe since her parents weren't around. No one was going to show up at my front door with a shotgun and threaten me until I promised to do right by her. Aaron is scarier than that."
"Polly!"
She turned again and waved as Adam and Jeff came toward them.
"Are you going to come over with us to see the place again?" Then Jeff realized who was with her. "Jon Renaldi. Why are you in town?"
"Just visiting."
"This is Adam Epperson. Adam, this is Jon Renaldi. I told you about him. He and his brother, Ray, know Polly from when she lived in Boston."
Adam smiled and shook Jon's hand. "I do remember. It's nice to meet you. What do you think, Polly? Want to try the building again? They have the office closed off, but we have access to the rest of the building. I just want Jeff to go inside one more time. If he reacts badly, we'll pass. Otherwise, I think we want it."
"Is Mrs. Martin meeting you?" Polly asked.
Jeff laughed out loud. "Nope. She refused. They're sending another realtor to open the door. See you over there?"
"Yeah. Henry and Jon are coming, too. I want Henry to see it."
"Maybe he could come upstairs and tell us if we can open it up into one apartment. Would you mind?" Jeff looked at Henry.
"Of course," he said with a shrug. "I can do that."
Lucy slid in front of Jeff. "You go sit over there so I can serve these people their lunch."
"Yes, ma'am," he said sheepishly. "We'll be good."
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Ralph Bedford put his hand out to stop Polly as she and Jon walked past. Aaron was sitting at the table with him and Eliseo.
"There's the prettiest lady in Bellingwood," Ralph said.
Jon Renaldi chuckled beside her.
"You think I'm joking, young man? No one here at this table would disagree with me."
"No, no, no," Jon said. "I completely agree. I've had a crush on her for years."
Polly felt her neck get red. "Stop it. Just, stop it. Aaron, I'm taking Henry and Jon over to look at the newspaper shop. The only room you've closed off is the office, right?"
"We've done all we can in there," he said. "Deputy Hudson may have already pulled the tape down. I know they're in a hurry to get the building sold. Hear they have a hot prospect."
"Do you have any suspects yet? The wife, maybe?"
"We're talking to her, but she has an alibi for the time of his death. A pretty good one, too. She was in Keokuk. Didn't plan on coming back until we called her. Down there with her mother visiting family. Lots of people saw her."
"Her mother is a pretty lady, too," Ralph said. "Too bad she's hooked up with old Simon Gardner. She shoulda gone out with me. I'd show her a good time."
"We need to find you a wife," Eliseo said, shaking his head. "You're embarrassing."
Ralph chuckled. "I only got so much time on this earth. I'm quite a catch, you know. Might as well enjoy these golden years." His eyes lit up. "Look at me. I'm a gold mine in the flesh. Need me some ladies to come panning for this h'yar gold."
"Does anyone buy this line from you?" Polly asked.
He waggled his eyebrows. "You might be surprised. Seo here tells me it's because of my pretty truck."
"I do not," Eliseo said. "That thing is a sight."
"A sight to behold."
Eliseo put his hands out. "The first time I met him, he was a nice old coot, ready and willing to just be my friend. Now, he's out every afternoon trolling for the ladies."
"Can't be out too late," Ralph said. "Gots to get my beauty sleep, and besides, the ladies are mostly tucked into their own beds watching television or reading those danged books. They like to as kick me out by eight o'clock. What happened to the days of yore …"
"Days of yore?" Polly interrupted.
"Yes, you know. When I was in my twenties and could go all night. Drinkin', carousin', flirting with the pretty girls."
"You were never like that," Aaron said.
"You didn't know me back then."
"Tell us the truth," Polly said.
Ralph dipped his head and smirked up at her. "He's right. Too busy working. Now that I have all this free time, I don't have the stamina I used to have." He laughed. "But I still got my style and my pretty face."
"Yes, you do," Polly said. "You're the cutest man in a fancy truck with flames I know."
"See, Seo." Ralph elbowed Eliseo. "She knows the good stuff."
Eliseo shook his head. "Don't encourage him."
Polly saw Henry standing outside talking to Bert Bradford. "I'll let you three continue your conversation. We have things to do today."
"Good to see you again, Jon," Aaron said, standing up.
"Nice to see you. It was nice to meet you, Mr. Bedford," Jon said.
"It's Ralph. Everyone that knows me calls me Ralph. Take care of our pretty girl."
As Polly and Jon wove through the tables, he caught her arm. "You know so many interesting characters."
"He's not mine. He's Eliseo's. But he is a character."
"I should know that policeman Henry's talking to."
"Bert Bradford."
"Oh. Yes. Good guy. He was a lot more open to me and Ray being here than his boss."
"Ken came around though, right?"
"It took intervention by Sheriff Merritt, but yeah. What's this about?"
"Probably the thefts. Bert's been out to most of them."
"Got it. Hard to believe I drove into Bellingwood in the middle of another Polly-event."
She swatted his arm away. "Stop it. That's not funny."
"It's a little funny." Jon opened the door and she walked through to the outside.
"Hi, Bert," she said. "You remember Jon Renaldi, don't you?"
He smiled and put out his hand. "Coming into town to deal with another of Polly's bodies?"
"No. Just visiting. I'm in Des Moines meeting with lawyers and the FBI as we sort through the last mess she was in."
"Glad we're out of that one." Bert touched his cap. "I'll get back to you, Henry. Don't you worry. We'll figure this out."
"Thanks, Bert," Henry said.
Bert walked into the diner and Henry smiled at Polly. "Ready to show us your new venture?"
"What was that about?"
"Nothing much. I told him what Jon said about other possibilities. After Jessie pulls reports for me, I'm going to meet with him and Ken again."
"You're okay?" she asked.
"I think so. Let's go see this business you might buy. I used to go in all the time to use the copiers, but never got to any of the equipment in the back. It sounds fascinating."
"I worked in a print shop when I was in high school," Jon said. "Just a little one. I never learned how to use a press, but I worked most of the other machines. I was a master at the cutter. Big ole guillotine coming down to cut a swath through a stack of paper. I could tweak that thing to within a micrometer of the exact dimension."
"I had no idea," Polly said.
"My Uncle Faro owned the shop. We did everything for the community. If there was something that needed to be printed, Faro's Printshop was the place to go. It gave me permission to be all over the city. I did deliveries, I did pickups, I did everything."
"Wow. Then this will be familiar to you. You can tell me about the machines in the back of the shop."
"Those fancy four-color copy machines came out and my uncle decided it was time to close the business. He couldn't afford to keep up with the new technology. And besides, one of those cheap copy shops moved in down the street and he couldn't compete. If there's a lot of new equipment, I probably won't recognize it."
Polly took her phone out and sent a text to Jeff. "We're here. Will you come let us in the front door?"
"Be right down."
"Jeff will let us in. I don't think there's much new equipment here. The original owner just barely held on and the Andersons didn't do anything after they bought it. I can't believe
I was so worried about a stranger starting a newspaper in town."
"Because you thought they might expose you for the ghoul you are?" Jon asked.
Henry laughed. "That's my wife you're calling a ghoul."
"Maybe I should call her a witch."
"That's not funny," Polly said. "Neither word is funny. Did you not hear Aaron and Ralph tell you to be good to me? Come on."
Jon laughed out loud. "You are so easy."
Jeff opened the front door. "I'm back in love with this place," he said. "Come in. I'm going to lock the door behind you. Our new realtor is upstairs with Adam. They're looking at some damage around a couple of windows."
"Would you like me to join you?" Henry asked.
Jeff looked at Polly and grinned. "Maybe later. You didn't come over here to hold my hand while I looked at a property. Adam's asking good questions."
"You're a friend," Henry said. "If you want me to look at it, I can."
"You never came in here with the Andersons?" Polly asked. "I'm surprised she didn't want you to do any renovation here for her."
"We talked about it, but things got so wonky with their house, we never got around to this location."
The tape was still on the door to the office, so Polly went back to the front reception area and peered in through the window. What a mess that was going to be to clean up. Then she smiled to herself. She was already thinking about this place as something she'd take responsibility for. She just couldn't help herself.
"Is there a basement?" Jon asked.
Jeff nodded. "Yeah, why?"
"Wondering where they stored paper and supplies."
"There are two big rooms here," Polly said, walking down the hallway. She opened the door on the left, while Henry opened the door on the right.
Jon frowned and sniffed at the air. "How long did you say this place has been closed?"
"Over a year at least," Henry said. "I don't think Annabelle really did any printing in here for years before that. I heard she was getting the newspaper printed somewhere else."
Jon walked over to one of the machines, lifted the tarp from it and stuck his finger in a well. When he drew it out, it was coated in black ink. He walked around the press, stopped and touched different parts of it and rubbed his finger against his thumb. "This press has been used in the last month and they didn't clean it up."
The Sounds of Home Page 16