Stitched Together

by Carol Dean Jones

  In the late afternoon, the phone rang. It was Graham. “Put him on the line,” was all Charles said.

  She quickly carried the phone to Charles, who said, “All right,” and hung up.

  She looked at him as the blood drained from his face. “It’s a match. It’s Coleman’s blood.” As if in a trance, he repeated, “The towel in our trash was covered with Coleman’s blood.” He looked lost and confused. “Graham is on his way over to pick me up.”

  “Pick you up for what?” she asked, trying to hold back her own hysterics.

  “They revoked my bail. He thought I’d prefer to walk into the station on my own instead of having them come get me.”

  Sarah fell into his arms, and together they sobbed.

  Chapter 26

  Sarah could hear the phone ringing on the other end, but there was no answer. The machine came on: “Hello. This is the Parker residence. Leave a message at the beep.”

  “Hello, John. This is Sarah, your father’s wife. Your father has serious legal problems, and I need to talk with you about what we can do. Please call …”

  Before she could finish, the phone was picked up.

  “Hello. This is John Parker.”

  “Hello, John. It’s Sarah. I’m sorry to bother you, but I need your help. Your father has been arrested, and I’m beside myself trying to figure out what to do …”

  “Arrested? Arrested for what?” John asked, sounding somewhat impatient.

  “For murder, John. He was arrested for murder.” The phone line went silent. For a moment, Sarah thought that he had disconnected.

  “That’s crazy,” he finally said. “Dad worked for the police department for thirty years and was never brought up on charges for undue violence, at least not that I know of,” he added, realizing he was out of touch with his father for most of those thirty years.

  “That’s right, and he shouldn’t be in jail. He’s innocent, John.” She tried to remain calm and not get hysterical, at least while on the phone with his son. “It’s just that since you’re an attorney, I thought …”

  “Give me the details, Sarah. I’ll see what I can do.” Sarah repeated the story as it had occurred over the past few weeks.

  “Witnesses?” John asked incredulously. “Witnesses to the murder?”

  “Of course not, John. Your father is innocent. They’re witnesses to an angry exchange between your father and the man who was murdered. A very angry exchange.”

  “That’s not enough to charge him,” John replied.

  “Also they have fingerprints on the murder weapon.”

  “Dad’s fingerprints? Well, that’s pretty incriminating. Were there other prints?”

  “There were other prints: two other sets and one or more that were smudged.”

  “I’m confused. That’s not enough to arrest him! Is there anything else they have?”

  Sarah was quiet for a moment, then softly added, “They found a towel in our trash can soaked with the victim’s blood.”

  Again the line went silent. Finally John spoke, saying, “I’ll call you back as soon as I get airline reservations. I’ll be there as soon as I can get a flight. Tell Dad I’m on my way.”

  After they hung up, Sarah fell onto the couch and sobbed until there were no tears left. As she began to pull herself together, she found herself wondering if some good was going to come from this horrible situation. Charles’ son was on his way to help his father.

  Sarah wandered into the sewing room and looked at her oriental fabrics. “I’ll make a block until visiting hours at the jail,” she said aloud, knowing that the steady hum of her sewing machine would soothe her jangled nerves.

  Chapter 27

  “Oh, Sarah, I wish you hadn’t done that.” It was the most animated she had seen Charles since he was arrested. “John hates me as it is; this will destroy any chance of us resolving …”

  “John’s on his way,” Sarah interrupted.

  “Here?” Charles responded, his eyes wide with surprise.

  “Yes, here. He’ll be in late tonight, and Graham is arranging for the two of them to come see you tomorrow.”

  Charles sat dazed. Graham had arranged for Charles and Sarah to visit in a small visiting room normally used only by attorneys. “Charles’ reputation with the department goes a long way,” Graham had said. There were no windows, and the room was painted a dull green. There was a table and two chairs; otherwise, the room was empty. The guard stood outside the door most of the time, another concession arranged by Graham.

  “I can hardly believe it, Sarah. John’s coming here? What did he say when you called him?”

  “He asked me to tell him what had happened. I told him the whole story. He listened, and when I was finished, he said, ‘Tell Dad I’ll be there as soon as I can get a flight.’ ”

  Charles shook his head in amazement. “I never would have expected it. I thought …”

  “Just accept that he is here to help you, and let the relationship build from there.”

  “You’re right, Sarah. I won’t overthink it.” The momentary elation Charles had revealed faded and was replaced by the mounting despair he lived with.

  Sarah reached across the table and touched his cheek. “We’ll get through this, Charles. You’ve got to have faith that the system will work.”

  “I’ve seen it fail too many times, Sarah. Too many times.”

  She hated seeing him so despondent and hoped that time spent with John would lift his spirits. When the guard tapped on the door, Sarah knew it was time to leave. They both stood, and he kissed her cheek across the table. “I love you,” he said gently. “And thank you for calling John. It was the right thing to do,” he added humbly. She smiled and turned to leave.

  “Wait,” he called out, surprising her. “Would you do me a favor and check on the house? I’d like to know how the boys are doing. There’s a guy over there; his name is Larry. See if you can find him and ask about the house.”

  “I’ll do that, Charles. I’ll go over tomorrow.”

  * * * * *

  She hadn’t seen a picture of John and didn’t know how they would recognize one another, but she felt her heart leap when a younger version of Charles stepped off the plane. He looked around, and his eyes locked on hers immediately. She smiled and he hurried over to her.

  “Sarah?”

  “Yes, John. I’m Sarah, and I certainly know that you’re Charles’ son. You look so much like him.” She felt tears welling up in her eyes. “I’m so glad you’re here,” she added, feeling embarrassed that her voice had cracked. “I’m sorry, it’s just that …”

  John wrapped her in a bear hug just as Charles had done so many times. “I know, Sarah. I know. Dad and I have wasted so much time, and to be meeting this way now just doesn’t seem right. But I’m glad I’m here.”

  Sarah wiped her eyes with the handkerchief he handed her as they walked away from the gate. “You have another bag, don’t you?” she asked, looking at the briefcase and small bag he was carrying.

  “Yes. I wasn’t sure how long I’d be here. Donna probably packed more than I’ll need; she does that,” he added with a chuckle. As they waited at Baggage Pickup, they made light conversation easily. Sarah asked about his son. Little Jimmy, she learned, was five years old and full of spunk. “Always into something,” John added with a look of deep love.

  After they picked up his bag and made their way to the car, John asked if she would like for him to drive. She accepted, admitting that she was feeling a bit shaky.

  “Okay, but you’re our copilot. Which way shall I head this classy vehicle?”

  Sarah smiled at hearing her Oldsmobile being called classy. It was almost twenty years old, but she simply couldn’t part with it. It was the first major purchase she made after her husband died, and it had become a symbol of her independence. She had worked to build credit in her own name and was proud to have financed something this expensive all on her own.

  Once they were on the highway hea
ding toward Middletown, John spoke tentatively. “I know you must have many questions about me and my brother and why we’ve been so distant.”

  Sarah interrupted him. “John, all of that is between you and your father. I’m just happy you’re here and hopeful that you can get to know each other as adults. Your father is a fine man, and he loves you.”

  “My brother and I have been very foolish. We’ve carried our childhood grudges into adulthood and never really questioned them. I’ve been thinking about it since Dad called this spring. I’ve wanted to make it right; I just haven’t known how.”

  “And your brother?”

  “David’s not in the same place. I’ve tried to talk with him about it, but he isn’t ready. It’s not just with Dad, either. David’s an angry man, and it comes out all the time. He was angry with me for coming and was angry with his wife for encouraging him to come.” John shook his head. “I get the feeling she’s about had it with him, and that’s a shame. She’s good for him.”

  The two remained quiet for the next few miles, each lost in thought.

  “Does Dad have a good lawyer?” John ultimately asked.

  “I think so. His name is Graham …”

  “Graham Holtz?” John asked with surprise.

  “Yes. You know him?”

  “Do I ever!” he responded with enthusiasm. “I must have been ten or so when Graham started visiting us. He and I hung out together while dad was working. He’s the reason I became a lawyer!”

  “No kidding? Well, I think your dad’s in good hands.”

  “You bet he is!” John responded with a smile.

  “When can I see Dad?” John asked as they approached the town.

  “Take this next exit,” Sarah said suddenly, almost missing it. “And turn right at the light.” Once they were off the highway and heading toward Cunningham Village, Sarah said, “Graham has the two of you scheduled for a visit with him at 1:00 tomorrow afternoon.”

  “Not until then? I was hoping to see him in the morning.”

  “Graham wants to meet with you first. He’s coming by the house at 10:00 tomorrow. He’ll catch you up from a legal standpoint. All you’ve gotten from me is the hysterics of a frightened wife.”

  “Nonsense! You’ve been excellent. Anyone would be scared; this is no small thing, but we’ll get it worked out. We just have to stay positive.”

  Stay positive … no small thing … we’ll get it worked out. The words floated through her mind but didn’t settle anywhere. All she wanted to hear was that her husband would be back home and their life would be as it had been. She wondered if it ever would be.

  Chapter 28

  Sarah hadn’t seen the house since she and Charles had stopped by shortly after Max Coleman was killed. The exterior walls were up at that time, as well as trusses for the future roof, but when they stepped inside she couldn’t make sense of all the studs, which to her appeared to be placed randomly. Charles had pointed out the rooms and the doorways and explained it would look much different once the interior walls were in. “The rooms are so small,” she had exclaimed.

  Charles reminded her that she had been in the finished model, and they had been pleased with the size of the rooms. “You’ll see once the walls are up,” he had assured her.

  Sarah had decided to drive over and check out the house early while John was still sleeping. She hoped to be able to go with him later to see Charles.

  When she pulled up to the lot, she was amazed to see how much had been done. The small front porch had been added, the windows and doors were in, and—except for the lack of siding—the house appeared to be almost finished from the outside. There was a material covering the outside walls that Charles later told her was housewrap. There was a black material spread on the roof, but the tiles hadn’t been laid.

  With the windows and doors in place, she was afraid she wouldn’t be able to get in. There were no trucks around, so she knew Larry wasn’t there yet. The garage was open, so she carefully made her way across the dirt, stepping over scraps of lumber and insulation. The floor to the garage hadn’t been poured but, except for a few soda cans and cigarette butts, was uncluttered. She made her way across the gravel and stepped up on the temporary step that had been placed at the entrance to the kitchen. The door was unlocked, and she decided to go on in.

  “Who’s out there?” a deep voice demanded as she stepped in.

  Sarah gasped with surprise.

  “Mrs. Parker!” the man said, realizing he had frightened her. “It’s me. Larry.”

  “You scared me half to death, Larry!” she responded with her hand on her heart. “I didn’t see your truck, and I thought I was alone. Is it okay to come in?”

  “They don’t like people walking around on the site once it gets this far along. Insurance stuff, I think. Anyway, no one’s here but me. The guys were reassigned up the street to try to bring that house in on time. The people are waiting to move in. I just walked up here to get ready for the electrician. Come on in.”

  “Charles told me it would be under roof before the winter, and it looks like you made it.”

  “The roofers are coming here tomorrow. They’re up at the Jenson house now. Do you want me to show you around?”

  “Yes, please, if you have time. Charles wants to know how things are progressing, and he suggested I see you.”

  “Tell him I’m keeping a close eye on everything, and it’s coming along fine. That’s the master bedroom back there.” The French doors had been delivered and hung but were covered with paper and tape. As Sarah stepped into the bedroom, she gasped. “The shower is already installed!” It looked strange without walls around it.

  “That’s all one unit and hard to get in later. The plumbing’s in place too. You can see where the sink and toilet will go,” he added, pointing to the open pipes.

  “When will the walls go in?”

  “The drywall will be done once we get all the wiring in. I’m working on that today.” Sarah could see the pile of blue electrical boxes. “Say, since you’re here,” Larry added, “Let me ask you. Where do you want the telephone and cable outlets?”

  “Well,” she responded as she thought about it. “The bed will be over there, and we’ll want a telephone outlet there, for sure. I don’t know if we’ll want a television in our bedroom …”

  “Why don’t we install an outlet, and you’ll have the option if you decide to. How about over here?” he pointed to an area opposite where Sarah had indicated the bed would be placed.

  “Good idea. In fact, let’s put one of each in every room except the kitchen and dining room, just in case. On second thought,” she added, “maybe a phone in the kitchen.”

  “Do you want to walk on through the house, and I’ll mark the places you want them installed?”

  “Great! Charles will be pleased when I tell him we did this.”

  “How is ol’ Charlie?” Larry was immediately sorry he had asked. Sarah had been smiling and appeared to be excited about her new home, but when he asked about Charles, her expression changed. She looked lost and alone. He wanted to put his arm around her to comfort her but knew it wasn’t right. “I’m sorry, ma’am. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

  “It’s not you, Larry. It’s just that I’m so worried about him. He’s lost hope and is very depressed. I don’t think he’s eating, and I don’t like the way he looks.”

  “Don’t they have doctors there?” he asked, looking concerned.

  “Yes, but he refuses to see one. One good thing is that his son has come, and I’m hoping that will raise his spirits.”

  “The son in Colorado?” Larry asked, looking surprised.

  “Charles has talked about him?”

  “Sure. He told me all about that. Sad situation there,” he added, shaking his head. “I’m glad he’s here. That whole thing really worries ol’ Charlie.”

  Sarah was surprised that Larry knew about Charles’ family problems. They are much closer than I realized, she thought, feelin
g pleased that Charles had someone to confide in.

  Shaking her concerns aside for the moment, she smiled and said, “Let’s take a look in the other rooms.” She almost laughed at the suggestion. She could see all the rooms from where she was standing since there were only studs between them. Together they walked through the house while she mentally placed furniture and told Larry where to put the outlets. “I’ll be putting the couch and chairs over there. I think the television would have to go on that wall, don’t you?”

  “I agree,” Larry said, marking the wall with several letters.

  When they finished, they had made their way back to the kitchen. Larry marked the stud where Sarah said she wanted a phone. Sarah looked around at the empty space and wondered if she and Charles would ever live there. Larry noticed the sudden change in her demeanor.

  “Don’t be sad, ma’am. It’ll all work out.”

  She smiled and said, “Thank you,” while gently touching his arm. “Thank you for your kindness to me and to Charles. I know he values your friendship.”

  Larry dropped his eyes and rubbed the toe of his shoe back and forth across the floor. She smiled, half expecting him to say, “Aw, shucks.”

  * * * * *

  Sarah had been gone longer than she anticipated. As she drove up to her house, she saw that Graham was already there. She had made coffee before she left and hoped that John had poured him a cup. Just as his father would have done, John had not only poured coffee but also made a fresh pot and cooked bacon and eggs for the three of them. Sarah’s breakfast was waiting in the warming oven. “Welcome home,” he greeted with a big smile as she walked into the kitchen.

  The men were relating like old friends, and Sarah could only wish that Charles was sitting at the table laughing with them. After Sarah sat down with her breakfast and coffee, Graham explained that he and Charles had been friends for years. “We met on the racquetball court back in the early seventies. We were young, energetic guys who enjoyed sports, and we connected right away. Charlie had just joined the police department, and I was working as an assistant for a law firm in town. Those were the days!” He looked at John and became more serious. “But we married, had children, racked up debts, worked too much, and forgot how to play.” He shook his head regretfully. “Charlie lost his wife to cancer; I lost mine to negligence.”