“You want to leave a murder unsolved? You?” Frank asked. “Why?”
“Not that I would, mind you. But we could, if well, you know, just in case the real killer ends up being someone we really love.” Joe watched for a Frank reaction. A ‘damn it’ went through his mind when Frank didn’t react. “Frank, you could, freely and without fear, release that burden you have of seeing who actually shot Bev.” Joe made himself sound so fatherly. “Like, now, Frank. If you want to just tell me . . .”
“Dad,” Frank chuckled. “I told you. We missed the window.” Frank opened the office door. “But I like the Josephine idea. Come on, let’s get rid of her. Hector’s coming up.”
When Frank disappeared, Joe swung out his arm with a snap to his fingers in disgust. “Shit. I thought I’d get him.” After a shake of his head, he slipped into his office.
^^^^
New Bowman, Montana
The simple ding-a-ling brought a smile to Ellen’s face when she entered the newest addition to New Bowman shops, The Unique Boutique. “Oh, my God,” She wisped out like a little girl as she turned and looked around the small shop geared for women.
‘Ben and Todd from Fabrics opened a new shop.’ Jenny Matoose had told Ellen. ‘You have to go see it. Even though I hate that Todd, the shop is the greatest. Look what I got.’
From the memory of Jenny’s showing off of her new handbag, Ellen looked to the wall where a few purses were on display.
“Can I help you?” Todd, in his snide feminine way, came from the back.
“Wow, this place is really great,” Ellen said. “Who would have thought?”
“Well, Ben and I have been thinking about it for some time. Really, there is nowhere in this world to get good accessories. And you must accessorize.”
“Oh, I agree.” Ellen checked out a peach colored purse. “You made all these?”
“Our division made everything in this store.”
“How does my father feel about using community supplies?”
“Throwing our little Slagel weight?” Todd raised his eyebrows. “Actually all of these items were made from fabrics we don’t use. Plus that wonderful Mr. Hoi retrieved us more.”
“I thought profiteering was not allowed.”
“Like Mr. Hoi, we are not profiting,” Todd said snootily. “Now, are you going to buy something? Because if you aren’t, please window shop from outside.”
“Well, with that attitude you’ll be out of business very fast.” Ellen reached for the purse. “Oh, I like this . . . no wait . . .” She stopped in her reach when she saw a huge, almost too big, deep purple purse. “Oh, this one. Yes, this is the one.” She took it down from the shelf and giggled. “I haven’t carried a purse in ages.” She slipped the strap over her shoulder. “How do I look?”
“Very feminine.”
Ellen saw the dangling price tag. “Whoa. Three Danny Dollars. How reasonable. I’ll take it.”
“Shall I bag it?”
“Oh, my God. Yes!” Ellen said with excitement and gave the purse to Todd. She followed him to the counter.
Todd lifted a plastic bag. “Three Danny Dollars please.”
“Um . . . Can I pay you on Friday? I’m out.”
“Nope.” Todd took the purse back to the shelf. “No money. No purse.”
“But I’ll give it to you Friday.”
“We don’t issue credit,” Todd snapped.
“I want that purse.”
“I want three Danny Dollars.”
“My father said that there is no profiteering. If someone doesn’t have any Danny Dollars, they don’t have to pay. The Danny Dollars were established as a symbol of earning. They really have no value.” She took the purse back. “So there.”
“Well, your father . . .” Todd snatched the purse back. “Told me when he O.K.’d our shop that since our items aren’t entertainment or necessities, we, like the other non-necessity stores, do not have to follow the barter rules or freebie rules.”
“That sucks.”
“Get the purse on Friday.”
“It’s only Monday. It might be gone. Come on, Todd. I’m good for it,” Ellen pleaded.
“No.”
“Can you hold it for me?”
“No.” Todd looked up to the bell on the door and smiled. “Captain. Can I help you?”
“Oh!” Ellen said excitedly. “Hal.” She spun to him.
“I’m not here to purchase, thank you,” Hal said politely. “I need to speak to her. Ellen.” He stepped to her.
“Hal, just the man I wanted to see.” Ellen said.
“Good. Ellen, I was wondering if I could see you in my office right now?”
“Sure. Hey, Hal do you have any Danny Dollars?”
“Yes, why?” Hal asked.
“Good. Can you buy me a purse? Todd won’t hold it until Friday. It might be gone and I’m out of money.”
“Ellen,” Hal spoke calmly. “We were just distributed our earnings on Friday. It’s Monday.”
“Yeah, but I’m broke.”
“How?” Hal was confused. “Nobody spends their earnings in three days. Everything, entertainment, drinks, they are incredibly cheap.”
“True, but, I only had forty-two dollars. I spent it Friday.”
“Good Lord, Ellen.” Hal sounded appalled. “On what?”
“Most of it was at that new Hoi-scents candle shop. The rest was at the new Hoi Interior Decorator shop. They have the cutest table . . .”
“Ellen. No.” Hal took hold of her arm. “If you can be so irresponsible with the budgeting of your finances, then you must gamble on the availability of that purse and wait until Friday. Let’s go.”
“Listen how you talk to me,” Ellen complained as she left with Hal. “I missed being able to shop.”
“This is such a return of the old world, Ellen.” Hal shook his head. “Go to my office I have something to take care of with Sgt. Owens over there.”
“All right,” Ellen grumbled and walked away.
Hal bobbed his head waiting for Ellen, who moved at her own pace, to make it to the corner and to the Town Hall building where his office was. When he saw her go in, Hal walked back into The Unique Boutique. “Todd.” Hal approached the counter. “I’m going to purchase that purse. Do not tell her I did, but do not give it to her until Friday.”
“Oh.” Todd smiled pleased and gave a flirtatious look to Hal. “That is sweet of you. Of course.” He walked to the purse.
“No, wait.” Hal told him. “I’m just going to pay for it. Let it dangle there as a tease to my sister.”
Todd winked then giggled.
Uncomfortable, Hal just nodded.
^^^^
Ellen raised a quirky eyebrow when she heard the door to Hal’s office shut. She looked behind her. “Oh, for a second I thought it was Joe calling me in here like I did something wrong.”
“I need to speak to you.” Hal sat down behind the desk.
“Did I do something?” Ellen asked.
“Aside from unnecessarily spending your Danny Dollars?”
“Hal.” Ellen huffed. “The best thing Danny did was give us women, and some men, the ability to shop again.”
“At the rate you’re going, there’ll be nothing to buy.”
“Please. We’ll buy anything. Danny won’t disappoint us. It keeps the economy booming.”
“There is no economy. You know how the Danny Dollar thing works. It’s only an allotment of resources to use for enjoyment. You’re abusing that privilege.”
“It was invented for that.”
“Oh, I’m not going to argue with you,” Hal stated.
“Good.” Ellen folded her hands. “Now, what did you want to talk to me about?”
“Ellen . . .” Hal switched his tone to a serious one. “I am coming to you not only as family, but as a friend. I would like to ask you to reconsider the understanding with Elliott.”
“No.”
Hal blinked. “Just like that? No?”
“No, Hal. My mind is made up. I’m telling Frank you’re trying to undermine his relationship with me.”
“I am doing no such thing,” Hal said with offense. “What you had going with Elliott was on a totally different level. You know that. It was a closeness. You were giving him a chance to be close to someone.”
“I am married to Dean. Dean has an understanding with Frank. I can’t take on another man.”
“That’s absurd,” Hal argued. “You know you can.”
Ellen gasped. “Are you implying I’m a slut?”
“What?! No!” Hal shrieked. “I’m saying you can make room for someone else and you know that. You can be close to Elliott, be that friend, and if you want to stay committed to the demented Dean and Frank thing, then as long as you cross no extreme physical boundaries with Elliott, you are. Because I can assure you Ellen, the physical aspect is not what my friend needs. He just needs you.”
“No, Hal, he doesn’t. He proved that.”
“He made a mistake,” Hal defended. “I am being totally honest with you. He thought that was the thing to do. The man is an idiot. Scold him, be a normal woman and make his life miserable for a week or so, but don’t kill him, because that is exactly what you are doing.”
With her jaw twitching and holding back her anger, Ellen stood up. “I’m not even going to justify that with a remark. I am not killing Elliott. Don’t play on my guilt. It’s my life, Hal.” She turned and walked to the door.
“And it’s Elliott’s life. But only . . .” Hal rose slowly. “You can make a difference in that life.”
Ellen stopped.
“I wouldn’t appeal to you if I thought you didn’t feel for Elliott. How can you not feel for him? It’s Elliott.”
“Hal.” Ellen turned to face him.
“Listen to me. Whether you believe it or not, whether he admits it or not, you will have an impact on the medical care he receives.”
“I know what you’re trying to say,” Ellen softened her voice. “But . . . I will not make a difference in how he fights this illness. I won’t. Elliot has pride. Elliott wants to live. With me or without me, he will try his damndest to do that.”
“You’re absolutely right. Argument lost on that point.” Hal lifted his hand in defeat. “I don’t doubt in my heart that my friend will fight to the end for his life, but look at it this way. If without you, he is giving a hundred percent, then with you, he will give a hundred and ten. And who knows? Who knows how much difference that extra ten percent is going to make? On a different angle . . .” Hal walked to her. “I love him as much as my brothers. To me he is no less than a brother. If God wills that he has a year left on this earth, then I want him to be happy for that year. Is that so wrong? You can give that to him, Ellen. You really, really can. Let me ask you this . . .” Hal allowed the silence of the office to be his dramatic effect. “Do you dislike him so much that you can’t find time, a day or two a week, to be that friend? That someone he can unload on, talk to, lean on.” When Ellen opened her mouth, Hal laid a finger over her lips. “Don’t answer. Think about it. All right?”
Ellen exhaled. “I’ll think about it.”
“Thank you.” Hal kissed her on the cheek.
A single knock was a surprising interruption then the door to the office opened and in walked Elliott. “Captain, did you get a chance to talk to . . .” He paused. “I’m sorry I’m . . .”
Ellen’s disgusted grunt cut him off. “Oh! You!” She sneered at Elliott so angrily. “You thought I’d be gone, didn’t you. Huh? Well, I’m still here. And here I was buying it all. Such a fuckin player you are. Next time have the balls to do your own dirty work, asshole.” She stormed to the door, stopped, and spun around. “Let me remind you . . . I’m giving you your treatment today. I will have needles in my hand.” She nodded. “You have ten minutes! Be there!” Swiping the hair from her face, Ellen lifted her chin, folded her arms, and marched away.
Elliott stood there stunned, shocked and speechless,. “What is this?” he spoke, confused. “Yell at Elliott day?”
“Looks like it,” Hal stated and walked to his door. “I’m on my way to the school. What did you need?”
“I just need to know if you talked to Sgt. Owens about tonight’s schedule if I’m going to help you out.”
“Shit,” Hal cringed. “I forgot. I will. Sorry. I still need your help. It’s vital.”
“Absolutely.” Elliott pivoted as Hal walked by him. “Captain, may I ask what was wrong with Ellen? Why did she yell at me?”
Hal shrugged. “Don’t know. I guess you just set her off for no reason.” He took a step and halted. “Oh, Elliot. You’d best get down for your treatment. You don’t want to be late. She has needles you know.” Hal winked and walked away.
Elliott’s shoulders dropped “Swell.”
^^^^
Beginnings, Montana
Quiet. There was barely a sound in Joe’s office except for his exhale. He laid down a paper then placed his hand over top of it. “Thank you, Hector.”
“You’re welcome.” Hector nodded and stood up. “If you need anything else, just let me know.”
“We will,” Joe told him.
Frank walked Hector to the door and opened it. After Hector was gone, a worried look hit Frank’s face and with rub of his hand over his face, Frank let out a heavy breath. “Well?”
“He’s telling the truth.” Joe looked at his notes and then Hector’s statement. “I think it’s time to call Henry back up here.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Henry was aggravated. He shifted in the chair and projected that he was annoyed for being called again to Joe’s office. “I told you.”
“Tell me again,” Joe said calmly.
“Fine.” Henry tossed his hands up. “It’s not gonna change. I took a walk. I went home and went to bed.”
“That’s it?” Joe asked.
“That is it.” Henry stated firm.
“Why are you lying, Henry?” Joe questioned.
“What?” Henry nearly shrieked. “I’m not lying, Joe.”
“Then Hector is.”
Silence.
Henry cleared his throat. “What do you mean?”
“I mean . . .” Joe leaned in toward his desk. “Hector told me and gave a statement that he hung out with you all evening. You guys walked around, played some cards, hooked up an old Nintendo set and until about four in the morning, you two got caught up in a whirlwind game of . . .”
“Mario Brothers.” Henry closed his eyes.
Joe shrugged. “That’s what Hector says. Sounds pretty innocent to me. So . . . why lie?”
The swallow Henry made was predominant. “I had reasons.”
“What reasons? We’re not accusing you of murder, Henry but you’re making yourself look awfully guilty with all this lying,” Joe said mildly. “What’s up?”
Henry shifted his eyes to where Grace sat in the corner. “Joe, what I want to say has nothing to do with the murder. Can Grace . . .”
Grace interrupted. “Say, no more. I need a beverage anyhow.” She gathered her folder and hurriedly left the office.
Joe waited. The squeak of his rocking chair was like a timer.
After fiddling with his hands in nervousness, Henry peered up. “I’m sorry I lied. I . . . did hang out with Hector all night. I just didn’t want anyone to know.”
“He’s an alibi, Henry,” Joe told him. “Why/”
“Joe, I’m sure Dean’s statement said it all.” Henry shook his head. “I just figured if I said nothing, it would be my word against Dean’s.”
“Ex . . . cuse me?” Joe asked and grabbed Dean’s statement. “I have it here. What is it supposed to say?”
Henry looked up at Frank who quickly shook his head to Henry.
“I saw that,” Joe said.
“Fuck.”
“Henry?” Joe asked again. “What is it supposed to say?”
“That Dean and Ellen stopped into my house and
saw me and Hector in what could have been taken as an embarrassing situation.”
“I see,” Joe stated. “What made them just stop in?”
Henry stopped to think. If Dean didn’t write down that he had stopped by his house, then nothing was mentioned about Bev. “I really don’t know, Joe. I don’t. They took what they saw the wrong way and I got mad and kicked them out.”
“That explains you not talking to them,” Joe said. “Now, Dean and Ellen stopped by? Both of them?”
“Um . . . no, just Dean.”
“But you said Dean and Ellen.”
“Well, Joe, it’s just habit to say their names together. You know, Abbott and Costello, Dean and Ellen . . .”
“You’re lying.”
Henry breathed out. “Yeah,” he said sadly. “I’m lying.”
“O.K.” Joe moved all the papers aside. “Thanks, Henry, that will be all for now.”
“Thanks, Joe.” Henry sadly nodded, stood up and without saying anymore, walked out of Joe’s office.
Seconds after the door closed, Joe let out a huff. “Goddamn Dean and Ellen.”
“Want me to get them?” Frank asked.
“No. No.” Joe shook his head. “I’m gonna just wait. Let them get all comfortable then . . .” Relaxed, Joe leaned back. “I’ll nail their skinny little asses. I’m telling you. Frank, those two. Something is up with them.” Joe quickly looked up to Frank at see if there was some sort of ‘I saw one of them kill Bev’ reaction, but as usual . . . nothing.
^^^^
Elliott wasn’t used to entering the Clinic in the evening. How different it was, and quiet. Not that he wanted to be there, but he had to be. Slowly he walked, hoping only to run into the person he set out to find . . . Johnny.
In the lab, Johnny was looking as if he were reading or something. Elliott knocked on the door and waited for Johnny to look up before he said anything. “May I . . . May I speak to you?”
“Hey, Elliott, yeah, sure.” He closed his book. “What’s up?”
The Next Ten: Beginnings Series Books 11 - 20 Page 165