by Leona Fox
If she was right, and they were Alexander's bullies, they would want to drag out the psychological torture and bring him to his knees. With that done she returned to the cafe, feeling triumphant, and she couldn't wait to share the news with Alexander.
When she arrived she noticed that Alexander shot her a nasty glance, and she wondered what had happened. The moment he was able, Alexander stepped away from the counter and pulled her to one side.
“I can't believe you went and talked to her,” he said in a low voice.
“Who?”
“You know very well who, Stephanie.” He loomed over Ellen, but relaxed his posture when he noticed that Scampy was growling on the floor.
“I asked you to stay out of my business. I didn't want you to get involved. It's all just...it's nothing you need to worry about.”
“This is what I do, Alexander. There's a mystery here and I'm going to solve it. I'm sorry if you feel that I broke your personal boundaries, but I felt like I had no choice. She's the person in town who knows you best, and at the start she was one of the only suspects we had. So what was I supposed to do? Just ignore her? Anyway, I have something that I thought you might like to know--”
“I don't want to hear it. My shift is over and I'm tired and I'd rather just go home if you don't mind,” he said brusquely.
Ellen was taken aback by the blunt tone in his voice, but what he said was not a question and he spun on his heels and walked away quickly. Before she knew it he was out the door. Scampy still had his teeth bared. Ellen shook her head and wondered if, through her actions, she was going to push someone else away. She thought about everything she had done through the case and decided that she had acted in the best interests of everyone involved. Hopefully, by the end of it Alexander would see that.
Now the only question was how to find evidence that the three men were responsible for the crimes. Hopefully, once Alexander calmed down and she could tell him she had seen Richard, Thomas, and Harold he would open up to her about the truth of the matter and what had happened all those years ago. That would be the ideal scenario, at least.
The evening went swiftly. Kelly and Matthew popped in for a bite to eat and a chat. Ellen was glad to tell Kelly that there wasn't a monster behind this at all. Andy came in as well, and she was glad to feel his presence. Usually she worked with him on a case, so working mostly by herself on this one had been a somewhat strange experience, and she missed him greatly. Toward the end of the night she was glad the cafe had been busy, and although it only had been a short time since she had had Alexander on probation, her worries had been eased. Ellen was confident that the cafe had a prosperous future.
While she was cleaning the cafe was quiet, aside from Scampy shuffling along the floor. He always managed to find something to entertain himself. But then there was a sudden smash. Scampy yelped and scrambled back, assuming a defensive posture as his eyes searched the room for the source of the noise. Ellen's heart jumped in her mouth as she turned and saw a huge hole in the door. Bits of glass were scattered all over the tables, chairs, and floor, and a rock lay on the table. Ellen carefully went over to it, peering into the night to see if she could see anyone out there, but there were only shadows. She picked up the rock and found there was a note tied to it with thick string. She pulled the paper out and unfolded the note. It read:
You do not know who you have hired. He is not who he seems. You should think twice before believing anything he says.
Ellen breathed heavily as she crunched the note up in her fist and called Scampy to heel, making sure to push the shards of glass away from his path. She ordered Scampy to stay and guard the door while she went out back to get some wood and tape to secure the window. After that was done she locked the door behind her and took the note to Alexander. Tires screeched outside his house as she pulled up, got out, and stormed up the yard, Scampy followed as fast as he could on his little legs. She rapped her knuckles on the door and her eyes were screaming fury at Alexander as he let her in. He led her through to the lounge and she handed him the note, which he stared at blankly. When he didn't respond the anger inside her boiled over.
“I get that you want to keep quiet about this but now your problem has caused damage to my cafe and I will not stand for that. You can stay here and hide in your house if you like but I am going to catch these men and if you want to help me then you can testify. Otherwise, I'll have to go against them alone. But whatever secret you're keeping, it's not worth hiding any longer because eventually I will find them, and when I do I'm going to ask them why they targeted you. I don't think they'll be as determined to hold their tongue as you are. The truth is going to come out one way or another, Alexander. You just get to decide who I hear it from first.” Alexander looked up at her, and for a moment, she thought he was going to say something, but instead his eyes turned to liquid and he began to cry again.
Chapter 9
Ellen stood with her arms folded across her chest as Alexander cried. Whatever sympathy she had had for the man was running out fast because her business had been damaged and she had been placed in danger, all because Alexander had remained silent this entire time. She let the crying go on for a minute or two, hoping he eventually would compose himself and tell her exactly what was going on. When this didn't happen she decided to lead with her own theory, pacing back and forth across the room in front of him as she spoke.
“You know what I think? I've been doing some investigating, you see. After talking with Stephanie I kinda figured that whatever this is about happened during high school. So I went to find your yearbook and I found three boys in there who, by the look of it, didn't like you all that much. So I went and spoke with them.” At this Alexander's eyes shot up at her, but nothing was going to interrupt her before she had said all she wanted to say.
“So I paid them a visit and I'm convinced they're the ones who are responsible for these acts of vandalism. For some reason they don't seem to want to let you forget high school. So I'm going to go out on a limb here and say I think they bullied you in high school, that they made you dread every day. And then when you finally graduated you thought you could escape them, and felt you actually could move on with your life. And you did; you found Stephanie and you were happy.
But they couldn't let you be happy, could they? They sent you letters that drove you crazy, took you back to that time when you felt powerless and out of control. So you ran away and hid. And again, you finally thought you were able to come back and forget all about it, but they see you getting a job so they start terrorizing you again. Well, I'm not going to let this happen to you. The only way to deal with bullies is to confront them. It's one thing to bully a kid in high school, but this is taking it too far. You shouldn't feel ashamed of bringing this situation to the police. We're here to help you. We can put these people away. They've ruined so much of your life already, you can't let them win,” she said.
Alexander finally stopped crying and sniffed back his tears. He wiped his eyes and placed his hands together in between his legs, his head still hanging down. His voice was raw and choking.
“You are right...mostly. It did happen at high school, and I did think I could move on with my life before they started reminding me of everything that had happened. But you're wrong about them being bullies. I was the bully,” at this he raised his head and looked directly at Ellen.
“I was the one who made their lives hell. I stole their lunch money. I locked them in cupboards. I treated them like my errand boys. They were small and I was strong. They were geeks and I was a jock, so I bullied them. I took control of them and I made their lives hell. Oh yes Ellen, I was a horrible person. I was the evil one. I was the monster and I didn't realize it until I grew up and got out of high school. I thought I had put those days behind me. It was just kids’ stuff, you know? Sure, I bullied them, but we'd all moved on. I could live with myself.
“Then they started sending me letters. They told me how awful it had felt. How badly it had scarre
d them and made them scared even to leave the house. How they weren't even sure what happiness was anymore. I read all of them and I knew what it was like. I couldn't believe how much I had hurt them; how miserable I had made them. One of them even told me he had thought about committing suicide. He said he even had the pills there, ready to take, and the only thing that stopped him was the thought of his mom finding his corpse. I did that to them. I scared them, and why? For kicks? Because I was just a stupid kid? Because I got off on the power? I don't even know now why I did it,” he said, laughing sarcastically.
“And they showed me that I didn't deserve to be happy. The way I treated them, what I did to them, I needed to serve penance, to try restoring the karmic balance, or something like that. So I hid and, yeah, I broke up with Stephanie. I ruined the best thing I ever had because I didn't deserve it. I wasn't the person she thought I was so I showed her the monster. I showed her the same person I showed those boys at school because that's who I am. That's who I'll always be and there's no use denying it. I'm sorry, Ellen. I can't take your job. I can't take anything. I'm just going to sit here where I can't do harm to anyone. They can do anything they want to me. I deserve it for everything I did to them.”
His voice turned low and he hung his head down again. His body shook with violent sadness as the tears flowed out, and although Ellen hated bullies, her heart went out to him. She was in shock at how swiftly everything had poured out and she pieced together everything. Then she sat next to Alexander and placed an arm on his shoulder, squeezing sympathetically. It was clear he felt remorse for his actions and she hated to see a man torment himself so much. She was sure that whatever penance he had to pay had been fulfilled a long time ago.
“Alexander, it's okay,” she said soothingly.
As she reached out to him, he clasped his arms around her and clung on tightly, and she comforted his shuddering body.
“Meet me at the cafe in about half an hour,” she said finally as the tears began to subside.
He nodded, and she left him so he could go make overtures to the three men. Now that she knew the truth of the matter she had some work to do to get the four men to mend the wounds that had scarred most of their lives. They all needed to learn how to move on and be happy. She found them all at Richard's place again.
“I know what's going on between you and Alexander,” she began. As she said this Thomas and Harold joined Richard at the door.
“I'd like you to come with me so we can discuss it. I think we might be able to keep the police out of the whole thing, if you come with me now,” she said.
The three of them looked at each other, and they all nodded. Ellen drove them back to the cafe and let them inside, offering them a seat and some drinks. Scampy eyed them warily. It wasn't long before Alexander arrived. As he entered he stared at the three men, and they stared back.
“Now look, I know the four of you have been through a lot, but it's clear it's been going on for far too long and we need to get this sorted out now. Alexander, have a seat,” she said. He hesitantly moved forward and sat down at the table, as did Ellen.
“We're going to talk to each other and try understanding what is going on here because, at the moment, this cannot continue. I understand Alexander made mistakes in high school, and perhaps you think he deserves punishment for that, but you three need to realize that people do change. Now, who would like to begin?”
The three of them looked at each other while Alexander sat looking sullenly at the table. Richard cleared his throat and then began speaking, retelling everything he had written in the letter all those years ago. As the three men spoke of how difficult it was to move on from high school and how their self-esteem had been knocked so low that they found it almost impossible to have successful relationships, romantic or otherwise, Alexander slowly perked up and listened somberly. Ellen tried remaining neutral, but was moved by their stories. After they had spoken it was Alexander's turn. He told them all about how he had broken up with Stephanie and then turned into a recluse.
“And, to be honest, I am fine with that. I know it's what I deserve for everything I did to you. I know what it's like now to live in fear every day.”
“But the point is,” Ellen interjected, “that to move on we have to accept each other’s mistakes and try working together to understand each other. Yes, Alexander bullied you in high school, but as you've seen you have bullied Alexander in adulthood. Both acts have caused much disorder and devastation. I'd like to try helping you get through this and put this all behind you so you all can lead happy lives. Don't you think all of you deserve a new life? I know it can be difficult to let go of something that has been a part of you for so long, and that you've been fighting for this for years, but has it really been making any of you happy?”
The three men looked at each other, then at Alexander. “To be honest, I never really wanted to go along with this in the first place. I just wanted to forget about it,” Thomas said.
“I want to be happy, and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen.”
Ellen smiled and clapped her hands together, and it wasn't long before the other three fell in line. Soon enough they were chatting like four men, and even laughed.
“There is, however, the small point of your criminal acts. Now, given what's happened here I don't think I'm going to press charges. What about you, Alexander?”
“I've said from the beginning I'm not going to do so, and nothing's changed,” he said.
The three men breathed sighs of relief. They stayed around, chatting with Alexander for a little while longer before eventually leaving the establishment on good terms.
“I would like to know one thing, though,” Ellen said before they left. “What was the deal with that symbol?”
“Oh, it was just a random pattern,” Harold said. Ellen shook her head in disbelief as the three men left.
“What's wrong?” Alexander asked.
“I'll tell you about it later. Now then, we have something to talk about. I think your probation period is over. So now I officially can offer you the job. If you're still interested, that is.”
“I am. Thank you so much for everything you've done for me,” Alexander said, bending down to hug Ellen.
“Well, forgiveness is more powerful than revenge. And I did one tiny, little thing more as well,” she said, nodding to the door in response to Alexander's questioning look. As he turned he saw Stephanie standing in the doorway and he walked toward her tentatively. Both of them were smiling.
“I think you two have a lot of catching up to do. Don't forget to lock up when you're done,” Ellen said, and called Scampy to her side as she made her way home.
Volume 14
Death And Dangerous Deeds
An East Pender Mystery Series Book 14
Chapter 1
East Pender. A small town, a quaint town, where people had big hearts. They walked the streets, happy in the illusion that everything was fine. In the distance a dog howled, a car shifted gear and sped up, and somewhere behind closed doors a couple argued. In the night it was peaceful. The streets were mostly empty and the moon hung like a silver lantern in the sky, bathing the entire town in its iridescent glow.
The Mississippi flowed past the town, ensuring there was a constant ambient noise of flowing water. The water glows silver, like it has been through some kind of alchemy, but really it is just reflecting the moon as well. The air is crisp and the stars glitter alongside the queen of the night, the king having abandoned the celestial throne as it does every night. Buildings tear into the horizon, their chimneys like clenched, defiant fists being pumped into the air, resisting whatever forces of injustice are out there.
It is a gesture The Phenom knows all too well. He sits on top of a roof. A mask rests over his face leaving only his mouth and eyes visible, while his torso and limbs are covered in a thick purple and black outfit. A 'P' is etched into his chest, and it glows as he twists and catches the moonlight. A purple cape hangs
from his shoulders, reaching to the top of his ankles, as still as the cool night air. He is standing proudly with his arms folded across his chest, looking over at the city, at this unique perspective. He wondered how many people ever bothered to look down upon East Pender from this vantage point, to see how small they truly were...how vulnerable.
Below him he heard the chatter of voices and the sound of footsteps against the pavement. He didn't even bother to hide himself. The two people were in their thirties and a little drunk; he could tell by the way they swayed along the sidewalk. They came together and kissed. Her leg rose as her body arched backward, and when they broke off they both laughed heartily, a noise akin to a cackle as it reached The Phenom's ears. They were so caught up in each other they didn't notice the masked man looking down upon them with a mixture of jealousy, pity, and frustration.
That life never could be a life for him. He never could abandon his inhibitions so wildly because he had a duty, a responsibility to the town. He had to see the bigger picture and be there when people needed him most because he was a hero and a hero put the people he protected before himself. His mission was singular; to protect the innocent, to make sure justice was served, and to set an example to follow, to inspire others like he himself had been inspired.
The Phenom licked his lips as he looked out over his town. Even though it was small there were still so many people who needed protecting. It was a big task to keep them all safe, but he knew he had to do it. He had to make sure he did something, because he was the one man who could. While everyone else stayed safely in their homes, oblivious to all that was going on around them, The Phenom would prowl the streets and lurk in the shadows. He would wait and observe until it was time to strike. Then he would dispense justice and save those who needed saving. That was his destiny, that was his purpose, and it didn't matter who he was under the mask because that person was nothing. He was The Phenom.