Henry Wood Detective: Boxed Set (Books 1 - 4)

by Brian Meeks

  In the field one must adapt to a constantly changing battle and the lieutenant did just that. Keeping his demons at bay had been a daily struggle, but as the drugs started to wear off he realized that if he stopped fighting them, it might work to his advantage. So that’s exactly what he did.

  The nurse had been nice and asked, “Would you like some water?”

  “Yes, please,” he said, feeling completely relaxed.

  It was an innocent mistake. She had returned with a glass and pitcher but accidentally dropped the glass. That was all it took to wake up the voices in his head. He heard them calling, warning of the attack, and the lieutenant let go. He did what any good soldier would do in battle. He started giving out orders and screamed over the shelling.

  The orderlies rushed to the aid of the terrified nurse who had been grabbed in the iron grip of his free hand. The yelling and the bruise on her arm were all that were needed to deem him a danger.

  So he sat, his arms tied around his body by the straitjacket. The quiet of the room filtered out the distractions that might have kept him in the moment. He sat with his rifle among the fallen soldiers, wounded, in at least three places. He couldn’t walk and had resigned himself to the fact he would be captured. He sat and watched the battle rage on in the distance.

  Something was going on, but he couldn’t see what it was.

  A man with a camera stood in the doorway, “I need to get a picture. Captain’s orders.”

  An orderly said, “Okay, but I wouldn’t get to close. The flash bulb may not go over well. The best we can tell, he is reliving something from the war.”

  “I’ll take one, but you keep an eye on him.”

  The pop of the flash was nothing more than battle noise to the lieutenant and he gave only a slight flinch.

  * * *

  Luna looked pretty in her dress. Henry did his best to stay focused on her, but it wasn’t easy. They enjoyed dinner and talked about her week at the bakery. Her father had taken up a new hobby and was making origami dragons in his free time. For a man who was all about numbers and order, this dalliance into something approaching creative made Luna chuckle.

  Henry took a bite of the cheesecake they were sharing. “Does he think I’m a real heel?”

  “Not at all. He thinks I’m being a silly girl. Maybe I am?”

  Henry wasn’t sure if he was supposed to agree or tell her it was all his fault. Her tone was middle of the road. By design, he imagined. He gave her his best poker face and said. “Great cheesecake.”

  Luna had seen his poker face. It wasn’t a very good one. She knew he was struggling, so she let him off the hook. “Tell me about the case.”

  Henry didn’t want to worry her nor did he want to start another fight, so he phrased things carefully. Taking the single earring out of his pocket and said, “I found this in the closet.”

  Luna’s eyes lit up. “A future earring...neat. What does it mean?”

  “I’m not sure. Women’s accessories aren’t really my strong suit.”

  “Was there just the one?”

  “Yes.”

  “So maybe the closet is telling you to find the other one?”

  “That’s what I thought, too. I saw a matching one at the Palmeroy’s place, so I went back to ask Cath..er...Mrs. Palmeroy about it.”

  “Catherine eh, first name basis?” Her tone was more playful than jealous,. “Is she pretty?”

  “Not as pretty as my first client this year.”

  A wry smile crossed Luna’s face and she took a bite of cheesecake. “So what did she say?”

  “I had to ‘fess up that I had been snooping and asked if she knew where the other one was. It turned out she did. The one I have here is an exact match.”

  Luna turned it over in her hand. ”The silver work on this is very delicate. It looks handmade.”

  “That’s what Mrs. Palmeroy said. It was a surprise present from her husband.”

  Luna set the fork down and stared off into space for a moment, and Henry knew the wheels were turning. He was glad because he was at a loss as to what the earring could mean.

  She handed it back to Henry. “Someone like Mr. Palmeroy doesn’t keep a woman like...Catherine...,” she said with a wink,”...happy with gifts from the five and dime. I bet if you find out who created her pair, they can tell you who bought the other set.”

  Henry was back in game mode. He took out his ever present notebook and flipped to the last page. “Where should I start looking?”

  “I’d start with Cartier and then check if there are any boutique shops near Mr. Palmeroy’s office,” she said. She changed to her playful face and continued, “and while you are there...it’s never too early to shop for Christmas.”

  Henry smiled. “Noted.”

  CHAPTER 52

  Associate 3 lay on the couch with The New York Times looking through the classifieds. He wasn’t looking for a job.

  Associate 2 asked, “You see anything?”

  “Not yet.”

  Often, the director would send messages through clever ads.

  Associate 2 had spent most of the day standing by the window with a cup of coffee. Holed up in their safe house, he was still worried that another team might be sent after them. Once it had gotten dark, he had ventured out and picked up the paper. He didn’t like being cooped up. “You think we should reach out to the director?”

  “Reach out how?”

  “There is a bar in the bowery where a recruiter hangs out. Or at least he did a few years ago. I thought he might get a message to the director.”

  Associate 3 put the paper aside. “What would it say?”

  It was a good question and 2 wasn’t sure he had an answer. “We don’t know for sure they sent a second team.”

  “You think it was a coincidence that someone killed Mr. Palmeroy, as we were just about to clean up the mess once and for all?”

  2 realized 3 was right. “You have any ideas?”

  “Well, I have been thinking about our situation all day...considering our options. We can run and hide, which is not the way I want to retire. Heck, I’m not ready to retire at all. Or we could throw ourselves on the mercy of the director. I can’t imagine the latter idea ending well.

  “The Enclave’s reach is what worries me. I’ve been at this a long time and I can’t imagine a place where every day wouldn’t be just like today. Risking a bullet to the back of the head might be the best option.”

  Associate 2 nodded and said, “What if there is a third option?”

  “A third option?”

  “We could finish the job we went to the Palmeroy’s to do. If we showed the director we had things under control the whole time...”

  “It’s a long shot, but I think you’re right. It may be our only chance.”

  Associate 2’s facial expression changed in that moment and 3 saw it. 2 was already thinking about the best way to complete the mission. They would need a plan, one that didn’t expose them to any Enclave teams that might be hunting for them. “Getting intelligence will be tough, but I think I know a few people who might be able to help.”

  “You mean civilians?”

  “Yes. Not friends per se but guys who can always use a few bucks.”

  It was settled. They would complete their mission and let the chips fall where they might.

  * * *

  Henry dropped Luna off at her father’s place after dinner. It was almost 11:30pm, and he gave her a long kiss good night.

  As he drove back to his house, he hoped Celine had calmed down from earlier that afternoon. Checking on her had not gone at all like he’d imagined it would. Henry replayed it in his head. He went home and tried to get some sleep, but it didn’t go well.

  It was just after 4:00 pm when Henry rapped on Celine’s door. The chain and locks opened quickly after the eyeball appeared to check on them. Carol yelled, “It’s Henry and Big Mike.”

  As Carol opened the door, she said, “Hey, guys, come on in.”

&nb
sp; Henry took off his hat. “Hi, Carol, how’s Celine doing?”

  “She’s sad and really upset. Hi, Mike,” she said with a slight blush.

  “Hi, Carol,” Mike said with a big smile.

  Henry picked up Buttons who was at his leg almost immediately. Celine came out of the bedroom still wearing her PJs.

  “Did you get some sleep?” Henry asked Celine.

  “I tried. Hi, Mike.”

  Mike nodded and sat down on the couch.

  “I wanted to talk to you about something,” Henry said, trying to ease into it.

  Carol went to make some coffee, and Celine sat down at the kitchen table. She looked exhausted. “Sure, what is it?”

  “I would like you and Carol to come stay with me for a few days.”

  “I’ve seen your apartment. It’s the size of a shoebox. No thanks.”

  “I mean in Brooklyn. There are two bedrooms. You can each have a room. I’ll sleep on the couch.”

  “Brooklyn?! No thanks. After yesterday, the last thing I want to do is sleep in a strange bed. I’m quite happy here.”

  Henry tried to be more forceful. “Listen, Celine, I don’t want to fight about it. Yesterday wasn’t a simple murder. You might be in danger because you were at the Palmeroy’s. I want to be able to keep an eye on the two of you.”

  Buttons said, “Meow,” but had an offended tone.

  Henry rubbed Buttons’ ears. “You’re a fine watch cat. No offense.”

  Buttons purred his acceptance of the apology.

  “I need to know you are okay.”

  “I live five minutes from the office, and you want me to hide out in Brooklyn. What about Carol? Her office is only three blocks away,” Celine said. She looked at Carol.

  Carol looked worried “Why would I be in danger? I wasn’t there.”

  “The people who killed Mr. Palmeroy may really be after me. They may try to use my friends against me.” He didn’t say it, but everyone knew he was referring to the last case.

  Celine started to say something and stopped. She stood up and looked Henry right in the eye. Again she opened her mouth. Henry braced for yelling, but she just took a deep breath, marched into her bedroom, and slammed the door.

  Carol looked at Henry and Mike. Walking out of the kitchen she said, “Watch the coffee. I’ll go check on her.”

  Buttons wanted to be put down so Henry set him on the coffee table and he bounded towards Celine’s bedroom. A few scratches and insistent meows and the door opened to let him inside. Henry looked at Mike and shrugged.

  Mike stood up and whispered, “It’s for their own safety. She’ll come around.” He went to the cupboards and got some coffee cups and set out the sugar.

  Henry asked, “How’d you know where they keep the cups?”

  “Uhm, well...I didn’t. I just guessed.”

  Henry didn’t have time to find out why Mike was lying to him and let it slide. The murmurs from the back bedroom went on for twenty minutes, then Carol came back. “We’ve decided to go with you,” Carol said and whispered, “She isn’t happy about it, but I convinced her,” and then in her normal voice, “Mike, could you help me get Button’s stuff, please?”

  Mike hopped to his feet, and the cups rattled on the table. “Sure thing, I’d be happy to help.”

  Celine took an hour to pack. There was much grousing about and angry looks as she filled two large bags. Henry didn’t say a word and they got all their stuff put in the car. The drive to Brooklyn was painfully quiet.

  CHAPTER 53

  At some point in the night Celine got over her anger and switched back to her supreme commander and secretary role. Henry, sleeping soundly on his couch, was hours from “ready to start the day” when Celine dropped Buttons on his chest.

  Henry awoke with a start and found the black feline six inches away from his face. Two seconds passed as they both considered their next move. Buttons took the high road and rubbed the top of his head against Henry’s chin.

  Henry was powerless against the frontal assault of cute.

  “Carol is in the shower. I’ll be going next. You may start the coffee and feed the cat.”

  Buttons ignored the slight.

  “Come on, Buttons, let’s get you fed.”

  Buttons said, “Meow...purrr.”

  Henry gave Buttons a quick double tap on the rear and he leapt off his chest.

  Henry was glad to hear Celine’s “let’s get cracking” tone. He started the coffee and made a quick check of the basement closet. It was empty. In the past, it’s cryptic gifts only arrived when he figured out the meaning of the last one. Luna’s idea that he check the jewelry shops seemed like a good place to start.

  He found his notebook and started the day’s list with ”1. Check at Cartier , 2. Speak to Palmeroy’s secretary and 3...” He didn’t have anything for three yet but hated a list with only two items, so he left the place holder.

  Carol emerged from the bathroom, dressed. She spread some of her joy on Buttons who appreciated it greatly and gave Henry a warm greeting. Henry offered to make breakfast. She laughed. “You don’t strike me as the ‘cooking’ type, Henry. I’ll handle it.”

  Henry wasn’t offended as she was right. He wasn’t much of a cook, but he did make a mean scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast. He went and picked up the morning paper from the porch.

  Celine’s mood seemed to have made a dramatic shift in the night. As Henry walked back to the kitchen, he caught a few bars of Celine’s version of The Penguins’ “Earth Angel.” She doesn’t have a bad voice, he thought.

  He sat down and opened the paper. The headline read “Palmeroy Murderer Silent.” The article listed the unknown gunman as the culprit and went on to say that he was being held but refused to answer any questions or even give his name. There were some details about the gun, they listed the names of the guests staying with the Palmeroys, including Henry and Celine, and then it began speculating what the motive might have been. The information about the field manual had been kept from the press. There wasn’t any mention of the other murders or that there might be a connection. Henry was relieved.

  Carol put a plate of eggs in front of Henry and asked if he wanted jam on his toast. “Butter is fine,” Henry said, before turning to the sports section.

  Celine walked in and sat down. She grabbed the front page. Henry was worried about her reaction, but all she said was, “I better call my parents and let them know I’m fine.”

  Since the shower was open, Henry finished his breakfast and went to get ready. He knew Celine well enough to know that as soon as she was done eating, it would be time to go. He could almost hear her toe tapping.

  The traffic into Manhattan was typical for a Monday morning, and Buttons was not at all pleased with the commute. He didn’t like being in the little cage that Celine used to take him to and from work, and, according to his internal kitty clock, they should have already arrived. Carol and Celine talked about stuff that Henry couldn’t understand while Buttons meowed repeatedly.

  As soon as Henry dropped Carol off at her building, Celine started talking business. “Okay, so I sense that you have a lot more to tell me about what is going on. When we get upstairs, I’ll start the file for the Palmeroy case. Unless you started one when Catherine originally hired us?” she asked knowingly.

  “I did not.”

  “I’ll start the file and then you can fill in all the details. I figure we will bill her at triple rate for the time up until Saturday night. The rest of the investigation should be at our normal rate, wouldn’t you say?”

  “I would.”

  “I know you don’t like it, but since you seem to think someone is going to try to kill us, I’ll need you to keep the blinds down in your office.”

  “Yes, Celine.”

  She was quiet as Henry parallel parked and then asked, “Did you water the plants the other day?”

  Henry couldn’t remember and shrugged. She continued to ask rhetorical questions all the way up to th
e office. Henry listened and tried to make sure there weren’t any real questions sneaking through that required more than a nod. He was focused enough that he didn’t notice the cleaning woman lingering in the hall.

  CHAPTER 54

  Brenda had dressed the part of cleaning lady. She had even gone so far as to add a few smudges to her shirt before starting her new job. It had been easy, just as he had said, and she was thrilled to get to hone her acting skills. The money wasn’t bad, either. As soon as Henry was in the office, she pushed her broom down the hallway and made her way up to the 5th floor, where she was told that office 503 was empty.

  It was.

  The other offices were buzzing with activity and a couple of people were in the hallway smoking, but they didn’t even look up when she let herself into 503. This office really needs some cleaning, she thought to herself as she picked up the phone. Brenda was nothing if not efficient and she had memorized the phone number. It rang once. “Hello, he has arrived at his office with the secretary and a cat.”

  “That’s excellent. Keep lurking about and let me know if he leaves. I’d also like an update each hour and, don’t forget, it’s important that you are believable as a cleaning lady.”

  “Obviously, you’ve seen 503,” she teased.

  “As a matter of fact, I have. It could use some dusting but mostly focus on the office near Henry’s.”

  “Got it.”

  The line went dead and she smiled. Brenda wiped her prints off the desk and phone. He had said to do this last night, and it made her new job all the more thrilling. Returning to Henry’s office, she decided to pop in and empty the trash.