by Ben Follows
Norman looked at Meghan and Damien. They were pushed tight together in the corner of the hallway, as though trying to look as small as possible.
“Where is he going?” said Norman, turning to the two teenagers.
“We don’t know,” said Damien.
“Where is he going?” said Vince, facing them with his hands on his hips.
“We don’t know,” said Meghan. “He might go home, but I doubt it. He’ll know you’re looking for him.”
Damien nodded. “That wasn’t the Sam I knew.”
Norman crossed his arms. “But that was the Sam who kidnapped me and held me against my will.”
Damien didn’t answer for a few seconds. “I suppose Meghan told you everything.”
“She told me enough,” said Norman. “Get out of here, both of you, before I change my mind. Stay in Toronto and don’t try anything else. You understand?”
Damien and Meghan wasted no time scampering past Norman and into the snowstorm, slowing only to grab their jackets from the hooks by the door.
Norman watched the door slam shut in the wind of the blizzard and then turned back to Vince.
“I can have them followed,” said Vince. “Along with assaulting me, those three have done more than enough to have the entire might of the Toronto Police Force coming down on them.”
“Even though you’re not a cop anymore?”
Vince smirked. “I’ll always be a cop.”
Norman nodded. “Do it. Find Sam. He wouldn’t have run if there wasn’t something to hide.”
“What are you going to do now?”
“I’m meeting Amelia Sweetwater.”
Vince nodded. “Norman, do you mind if I ask you a question?”
Norman looked at him. “Go ahead.”
“Why are you doing this?” said Vince. “I mean, really. You can talk about how it’s the right thing to do until the cows come home, but you didn’t think that forty-eight hours ago. You’d dropped the case and were ready to let the perpetrators walk. What changed?”
Norman put his hands in his pockets. “I can’t let anyone else die because of me.”
Vince nodded. “You understand that the moment you give the money back to Ruutu you’ll be giving up any chance of getting your life back? You’ll almost definitely lose the tryout offer, assuming he’s the one behind it.”
Norman nodded, although the thought made him uncomfortable.
“I’m sure,” he said.
Vince patted him on the back. “I’m proud of you, buddy.”
Chapter 21
When Norman walked into his condo, all the dogs looked up at him.
Norman scratched at Teddy’s ears and said, “Where’s Julia, boy?”
The dog looked up at him as though he wanted to go outside.
“I’ll take care of it,” said Norman. He opened the door to the large patio. The dogs ran out and relieved themselves on the fresh snow. Their coats turned white as the snow continued to fall.
He poured food into each of the dog’s bowls. He sent Julia a text asking her about the dogs and where she was. He was worried she had abandoned him.
He let the dogs back inside then left the condo.
When he got to the bar, Amelia was already there. Norman took a seat opposite her and nodded at her drink, a red drink with a curly straw.
“Virgin strawberry daiquiri,” said Amelia.
Norman nodded and waved at the bartender. The man came over, and Norman ordered a water. A few moments later, the bartender returned with his drink.
He looked across the table at Amelia and sipped at his water.
“What now?” said Amelia.
“I want to get something clear right out of the gate,” said Norman, “I am allowing you to help me because I don’t want you investigating on your own.”
“Okay.” Amelia sipped at her drink.
“But I’m in charge. I’m the detective.”
“Sure, whatever,” said Amelia.
“I don’t think you get it.”
“I have a right to control where the investigation goes,” said Amelia. “You might be an investigator, but I knew Joel and Robin. We’re in this equally.”
Amelia leaned back and crossed her arms. Norman thought for a long moment and then sighed.
“Alright,” he said. “I can deal with that.”
“Good,” said Amelia. “Then we can begin figuring out who the hell came into my yard and killed my sister. Do you have access to the police report?”
“I’m going to get it from my guy in the police force. I saw the crime scene, Amelia. It’s not something you want to see.”
Amelia scoffed. “I found the body, idiot.”
Norman frowned. “Sorry, I forgot.”
Amelia shrugged. “I heard some noises in the backyard and thought it was raccoons. I walked out to investigate. You know what happened next.”
“You’re too young to see that.”
“What are you? Thirty-five? Is that really so old?”
Norman sipped his beer. “Firstly,” he said, “I’m thirty-one. Secondly, you don’t know anything about me.”
“Oh, really?” said Amelia, leaning over the table. “Robin died because of you, and she knew a lot about you.” She smiled at Norman’s reaction. “You don’t seriously think Robin just hired you without knowing anything about you, did you? She had notebooks filled with research on you. That was how Robin operated.”
Norman sipped at his water.
“And then,” continued Amelia, “you charged her way more than you had any right to. What have you actually investigated? Cheating spouses and high school drug dealers? Is that what you got into this business for? You could charge more because you were the last resort, and you knew it.”
“It’s not like that. I was charging more because it was a murder investigation.”
“That’s not it,” said Amelia. “You got greedy and you tried to take advantage of my sister.”
“You can have her checks back. I haven’t cashed them.” He reached into his pocket and took out the four checks Robin had sent to him. He placed them on the table.
Amelia frowned, taking one of the checks. “Are these real?”
“Yes,” said Norman, “and it’s more than that. I was offered a lot of money to drop the case. I took it, but I’m going to give it all back.”
Amelia brushed her hair out her face. “Why?”
Norman didn’t answer for a moment. “I got offered a lot in exchange for my silence. I’m sacrificing a chance to get my life back. I got offered a professional tryout.”
“We can use that!” said Amelia. “Do you have it in writing?”
“Yes, but tying it back to the murders will be near impossible.”
Amelia nodded. “You never answered my question.”
“What was the question?”
“Why are you doing this?”
Norman sighed. “I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I didn’t.”
Amelia thought for a long moment then relaxed her shoulders. “So tell me, Mr. Detective, what’s our next move?”
“Just like that?” Said Norman. “You seemed ready to beat the crap out of me a few seconds ago.”
Amelia shrugged. “I liked your answer.”
Norman looked at her for a moment. He still hadn’t figured out Amelia.
“We need to find Sam Hanson,” he said. “I also need to talk with Thomas Ruutu and give him back his money.”
“Why?”
Norman grinned. “Because we are going to find out what happened to Joel and Robin, and we aren’t going to let anything get in our way.”
Amelia smiled from ear to ear. “That’s what I like to hear.”
Chapter 22
Norman jerked awake as the blinding sun came into his room. The dogs around him perked up. Teddy climbed onto the bed and began licking his face. Norman groaned and rubbed at his head, trying to stave off the headache. He looked around the apartment and at the empty bott
le of scotch next to him. There was no sign of Julia.
He checked his phone. Julia hadn’t replied to his dozen texts or calls. He wondered whether she was overreacting, but he had to imagine that it was about more than just the ring. It represented a lot which Norman had given and taken away.
Amelia had also been trying to get in touch with him for almost three hours. He had also received a single call from an unknown number.
He left his phone on the charger and let the dogs outside. As he watched them on the patio, he made a decision which he had known he would have to make for months.
He grabbed his phone and called Uncle Rob.
“Hello?” came the answer, the sounds of a factory in the background.
“Hey, Uncle Rob. It’s me.”
“Norman! How are you? Did you make a decision?”
“I returned the money to Ruutu last night, and I’m sure the tryout offer will be rescinded soon.”
“I’m proud of you, Norman. You’re a good man.”
“Thanks, Uncle Rob.” Norman took a deep breath. “There’s another reason I’m calling. Can you do me a huge favor?”
There was a pause, the Rob said, “Why do I feel like I’m going to regret this?”
Four hours later, Norman drove a U-Haul up to Rob and Anita’s house. He looked into the back at the dogs, who were stretched out on the floor of the van. It was filled with their various beds, food, and toys. The weather had held out for the time being, and the weather report was saying that the late surge of winter was finally over.
Norman pulled into the driveway and climbed out. As he looked back, he saw Teddy come into the front seat and stick his nose out the partially ajar window.
Norman walked up to Rob and Anita, who were waiting on the front step of the house.
“Thank you so much,” he said. “It’ll only be until I find somewhere else.”
Rob scoffed. “And how long is that going to be?”
“Rob,” said Anita, putting a hand on her husband’s arm. “It can be as long as he wants. I’ll take care of them. You’re never here.”
Rob scoffed again but said nothing.
“Come on, Norman,” said Anita, “bring the dogs into the backyard. It’ll be fun to have a challenge. I’ve never had more than one dog at a time.”
“They’re well-behaved,” said Norman. “I’ll meet you in the back.”
Rob made an excuse about needing to go back to work, but he smiled at Norman as he walked past.
He got into his car and drove away, giving Norman a friendly wave.
Norman waved back then walked to the trailer and began taking the dogs one by one into their temporary home.
As they finished getting the dogs set up, all of them looking up at Norman with questioning glances and worried expressions, he sighed.
On the drive over he had called a real estate agent and spoken with her about selling his condo. Based on the location and square footage, she had promised it would be no problem at all to sell it and that he could feel free to focus on other things.
He had wanted to tell Julia about selling the condo, but he hadn’t been able to reach her. They had both known that without the money, selling the condo was a necessity. Maybe that had something to do with Julia running off. Norman supposed she might have seen it as giving up on their dreams of a life together in Toronto as they had always envisaged.
After reassuring the nine dogs that Anita would take care of them, Norman walked back to the truck. The dogs were scattered around the moderately sized suburban backyard that must have seemed like a million acres in comparison to the condo.
He looked back at them on last time with a smile coming over his face and climbed into the U-Haul.
As he drove away, he checked his phone. Amelia had called a few more times. Norman looked at the number he didn’t recognize that had called him that morning. Something about it seemed eerily familiar.
He called Amelia first. She answered on the second ring. “Where the fuck are you?” she said. “I’ve been trying to reach you all morning. We agreed that we would work together to solve this, then you just fucking disappear? Who the fuck does that?”
Norman said, “Sorry, I needed to sort some things out.”
“Well, get back here and we can sort out who killed my siblings, you jackass.”
“I’ll be there in an hour.”
“Where the fuck did you go?”
“Milton.”
“Why the fuck are you in Milton?”
“Aren’t you supposed to be in school?”
“Fuck you.”
Norman clenched the steering wheel. “I know you’ve been through a lot, but you can’t be skipping school.”
Amelia laughed. “I can get away with whatever the fuck I want right now. You think the teachers are going to give me a hard time? My brother and sister are dead. Get here and we can start working. I found something you’ll find very interesting.”
“What’s that?”
“I’m not telling you over the phone. Pick me up in an hour and I’ll tell you.”
“I’ll be there,” said Norman, but the call had ended.
He sighed and focused on his driving. He called Julia and left another message.
Then he called his voicemail and listened to the angry messages Amelia had left.
In the middle of Amelia’s messages there was a message with a man’s deep voice he vaguely recognized.
“Hello, Norman,” said the man’s voice. “My name is Gary Thorne. You know me best as Robin Sweetwater’s former boss. I spoke at her funeral. I think we should meet regarding your investigation. Come into my office soon and we can talk.”
The call ended, and another message from Amelia started.
Norman turned off his voicemail. As he turned off the highway and back toward the U-Haul rental place, he thought about Gary Thorne. It was a strange call, especially considering Norman had just returned the money to Thomas Ruutu.
It might have just been a coincidence, but Norman was a detective, and detectives weren’t allowed to believe in coincidences.
Chapter 23
Amelia climbed into the passenger seat beside Norman.
“What do you know?” said Norman, pulling away from the Sweetwater home.
“I’ll tell you later. I set up a meeting with Joel’s friends,” she said. “They’re waiting at the stoner’s hideout behind the high school.”
Norman wanted to dig into what she had found, but instead he said, “When?”
“Whenever you want. They’re all doing the same thing I am. No teacher is going to give any of us a hard time.”
Norman pulled up to a red light and turned to Amelia.
“Are you okay, Amelia?”
Amelia shrugged. “What are you talking about?”
“I mean, are you really okay? I know you said you weren’t going to the therapist. After all you’ve been through, no one would blame you for feeling scared. If you ever need someone to talk to, I’m here.”
“Shut up,” said Amelia. “I can handle myself.”
Norman turned away. “Let’s go to the school. Let them know we’re coming.”
“Alright,” said Amelia, then she frowned. “Norman, we might have a problem.”
“What’s that?”
“Look behind us.”
Norman glanced in the rear-view mirror and swallowed. An unmarked police car was following them at a distance of about fifty feet. In the front seat was Detective Franklin. Norman raised a hand to wave at him.
The moment he raised his hand, the sirens came on and Norman let out an exasperated groan.
“Is that who I think it is?” said Amelia.
“Yep,” said Norman, pulling onto the shoulder of the road.
The unmarked car pulled onto the gravel shoulder beside him and kept its siren on. Cars sped past them within feet of the driver’s side door.
“What does he want?” said Amelia, leaning over the seat and looking back.
“Hopefully,” said Norman, “he just wants to update me on his investigation into your sister’s murder.”
Amelia laughed. “You’re not that stupid, Norman. You’re gripping the steering wheel so hard, your knuckles are turning white.”
Norman looked at his hands and slowly unclenched his fingers from the wheel.
“I’ll deal with this,” he said.
Amelia didn’t look like she had any confidence in him but said nothing.
Finally, after what seemed like an hour, Detective Franklin got out of his car and walked along the shoulder to the passenger side of the car. He tapped on the window, and Norman rolled it down.
“Norman,” said Franklin, “what are the odds? I didn’t know that was you.”
Norman tried to keep calm as he said, “What can I do for you?”
“Your license plate is being searched for on the police database,” said Franklin. “How long have you had this car?”
“Five years. I can show you the paperwork.”
“Why?” said Amelia, turning to Norman. “What possible use is that? This car probably isn’t on any search list. He’s just using that as an excuse to stop you.”
Franklin turned to Amelia. “Aren’t you supposed to be in school, Miss Sweetwater?”
“Kiss my ass,” said Amelia, crossing her arms.
Franklin smirked.
“Sorry,” said Norman. “She’s been very affected by the deaths of her siblings.”
Franklin looked at Amelia. “I can imagine. Amelia will probably need to take a year off before university. It’s a shame. She was getting some serious interest from Queen’s and McGill. Now, with a year off and falling grades, it’ll be a lot more difficult to get a good education.”
Amelia flinched, turning away from the detective.
“What do you want?” said Norman sternly.
“Nothing,” said Franklin, grinning. “I can see that I must have gotten the wrong license plate. Where you heading? Want a police escort as an apology?”
“We’re fine,” said Norman.
Franklin smiled at him. “Have it your way.” He went to stand then turned back to them and leaned back through the window, as though he’d just remembered something. Amelia gritted her teeth, looking like she was barely holding herself back from punching Franklin.