“You know where to put the dinghy when you’re through,” he said.
“Yeah—exactly where we found it,” I assured him.
Those were our uncle’s famous words. He’d once told us he’d written his will and had left everything to Carl since his daughter supposedly didn’t want to have anything to do with him. He told me I didn’t need what he owned because I could afford his estate a hundred times over. Regardless, the man had a good heart and he only did what he felt was right or fair, despite how truly wrong or unfair a situation might’ve been.
Carl and I spent a couple of hours fishing at Lake Olivia, catching a couple of tiny ones and tossing them back each time. Sam, Rob, Jase and I had spent many days on the lake in one of Uncle Charlie’s dinghies, but Carl was often left out of the equation because he preferred playing video games instead. I figured my little brother and I had some catching up to do and we couldn’t have asked for a nicer evening. It was cool out and the water was calm, glistening in the setting sun.
“From what you mentioned earlier, sounds like you guys are not making much headway finding out what happened to Jase, huh,” Carl said, throwing his line back into the water.
I told him what happened to Mays and how Jeffreys was no help.
“We plan on going to the police station tomorrow to ask some questions. Hopefully, we’d uncover something there,” I said.
“Maybe you guys should speak to the people who were closer in proximity to Jase and his mom when they were in the compound,” he suggested.
“I hadn’t thought of that, but I have no idea who they are.”
“The Coopers around the block—one of Sam’s neighbors—shared a cell with them. I remember that.”
“Are you sure?”
“One hundred percent. They would’ve been released at the same time, so they should know something.”
“Why didn’t you tell me this sooner?” I frowned.
“You never asked! And to be honest, I never thought about it before now,” he said.
“Well, that’s definitely an avenue we must check out. Once that cell door was opened, they might’ve seen where Jase and his mother went—at least, in what direction.”
“Hope it works out,” Carl said.
“Thanks, li’l bro.”
8
_________________
The following morning…
I called Sam and Rob and told them what Carl had said about the Coopers. Rob told me he’d pick me up around ten o’clock and we’d meet at Sam’s house.
When Rob and I arrived there, Sam was standing on the front porch waiting for us. She hurried over to the car as we were getting out.
“No time to waste, guys. Let’s get this thing done,” she said.
That day, Sam was wearing a pair of cropped jeans, a beige tank top and navy-blue sports cap. She couldn’t be more casual or sexier, in my opinion. My heart was throbbing for the girl and I pleaded inside for us to go back in time when we were just teenagers where I’d profess my love for her and she’d have no choice but to fall head over heels in love with me. At least, that would’ve been the ideal chain of events. Instead, I was stuck in the present, twenty-odd years later, wishing I’d told her how I always felt about her. Nevertheless, I had to get my head out of the cloud of regret and delusions. We had a case to solve that involved our best friend.
Sam’s folks were not at home at the time; she claimed they’d gone in search of new plants for the garden. Their yard was still the envy of the entire neighborhood and I should’ve figured Mr. and Mrs. Turner wouldn’t have left that property no matter what happened, especially after they’d put so much love into it.
“Hopefully, your folks wouldn’t have this car towed away if they get back here before we do,” Rob told Sam.
“Nah. Once they see the license plates, they’ll figure it’s your rental,” she replied.
We immediately headed up the street on foot since the Coopers’ house was only a few doors over.
“Sam, I think it’s best you take the lead with them since they’re your neighbors,” I said.
“Okay, no prob.”
The Coopers’ house was a bit rundown with faded paint peeling in certain areas of the exterior wall, and the lawn was overgrown. I figured either they weren’t doing so well financially or someone stopped giving a damn for whatever reason. A white sedan was in the driveway.
We walked up to the front door and after pressing the bell that didn’t work, Sam knocked.
Seconds later, the door swung open and a young man appeared on the other side of it. He looked like he’d just rolled out of bed.
“Can I help you?” he asked.
“Hi. Good morning,” Sam started. “I’m Sam Turner, your neighbor from down the street, and these are my friends, Hewey and Rob.”
“I don’t care who you are,” he replied, nonchalantly. “What do you want?”
I assumed he was the Cooper’s son, Max. I remember when he was a baby being carried around in the food store, strapped to his father’s chest. I don’t know what went wrong with him over the years, but something certainly did based on that attitude he was displaying.
“Is your Mom or Dad home?” Sam asked.
“Mom’s asleep and…”
“Max…who is it?” A man called out.
“It’s one of the neighbors and some other guys!” he yelled. “Asking for you and mom.”
An older man suddenly appeared next to him. It was Mr. Cooper.
“Hi, there. How are y’all doing?” he said.
Seemed like the guy had only aged five years since I’d last seen him decades ago. He was clean cut and still quite handsome.
“We’re fine, thanks.” Sam smiled. Rob and I hailed as well. “We were wondering if we could speak with you for a moment.”
“Sure. Come on in and make yourselves comfortable,” he said.
The man and his son were like night and day.
Despite the shabbiness of the exterior of the house, inside was very nice and well-kept. The three of us sat together on the couch, although we figured Mr. Cooper wouldn’t bite. We weren’t so sure about Max though, who soon disappeared down the hallway.
“May I offer you some coffee or tea?” Mr. Cooper asked.
“No, thanks.” We all responded.
He sat down across from us. “So, now, what can I help you with this morning? I guess, first of all, I should say that I recognize each of you. I remember when you were young kids riding your bicycles throughout the neighborhood; getting into some mischief here and there.”
We all glanced at each other with a guilty smile.
“Yep…that’s us,” Sam replied. “Who can ever forget, huh?”
He grinned. “I can’t cast any judgment on you guys since I was no saint as a kid either. I got into so much trouble, my folks threatened to take me to juvenile court.”
“Really?” I was stunned. He seemed like such a calm, good-natured guy. I couldn’t imagine that he was ever a pain in anyone’s butt.
“Yeah. It’s true. As I got older, I settled down a lot and decided it was best to do things my parents’ way since the other way was causing far too many problems.” He chuckled. “I got myself together just before I went to college, so that it wasn’t likely I’d go off to a new state and get arrested over there.”
We had a good laugh about it. Funny how people can look so innocent and have a darker side to them. I guess it’s true for all of us.
“Okay, so now since that’s out in the open, what can I do for you folks?”
Sam replied, “We all came back home this week because we want to try and find out what happened to our friend, Jase, and his mom. They haven’t been seen since you all were held captive in the same cell at the compound many years ago and we’re at a loss for answers.”
Suddenly, Mr. Cooper’s expression changed and he abruptly stood up. “I can’t help you; I’m sorry. So, if you don’t mind, I’ll have to show you to the door.”
I got up as well. “Wait...what the hell just happened? Why don’t you wanna talk about it?” I asked.
“Because I don’t know anything!” He stressed. “And I’d rather keep the whole horrible experience in the past. I will not speak of it.”
“Sir…” Sam sought to interject.
“Please! Leave now or I’ll have to call the police!”
Rob and I glanced at each other in sheer amazement. This guy was like Mr. Jekyll one minute and Mr. Hyde, the next.
“Maybe you should call the police!” Rob exclaimed. “Then we’ll probably get to the bottom of what’s going on around here sooner than we thought.”
By this time, Mr. Cooper’s eyes were glaring at us behind his clear, circular glasses. “Look…I don’t want any trouble. I am being honest with you when I tell you I don’t know anything; I have no idea what happened to your friend and his mother. The only thing I could think about while there was the safety of my wife and newborn child. I was grateful when it was all over and I don’t want to relive it!”
“Well, we’re the reason you’re standing here today with the freedom you so cherish, Mr. Cooper.” Sam told him. “If we hadn’t found a way to rescue everyone in this town, you’d still be under the spell of the canines or worse, buried in that massive hole they intended to put you all in. The least you can do is tell us what happened to our friend if you have any idea at all.”
“I don’t,” he said, stoically. “I appreciate whatever you’ve done—and now again, I’m asking you to leave.”
The guys and I looked at each other, realizing this was another waste of our time, so we headed for the door. Cooper was already there.
“I saw them,” went a soft voice behind us. It was Mrs. Cooper. She was standing with Max in the hallway. She looked haggard and worn—at least a good thirty years older than her husband, though in actuality, I knew she was at least a couple of years younger than he was.
Her husband hurried over to her. “Sheila, go back in the room and lie down.”
“Let her speak!” Sam yelled.
She shoved her husband’s hand away from hers and proceeded over to us. “You were right—that boy and his mother shared a cell with us,” she spoke slowly. “Even though we couldn’t communicate with each other, we were aware of what was going on around us and it was terrifying.”
“Sheila…” Mr. Cooper called.
“Stephen, please leave me alone. I’m tired of being hush hush about this. It’s been so long and not facing the trauma of what we went through is slowly killing me. Can’t you see that?” Right then, she turned and gave him her full attention. “While ignoring the past has been working for you, keeping you looking young and healthy, do you see what it’s done to me? Can’t you see how terrible I look? I couldn’t go anywhere without being afraid I’d be abducted or controlled again the way that we were. So, I stayed at home for twenty-four years. I don’t know what the inside of the grocery store looks like where we went shopping all the time; I lost the job I loved which was teaching primary school kids; I lost my own identity—the person I was before that horrid spacecraft hovered above this town. No more, Stephen! No more.”
She then turned to us again.
“Your friend and his mother were escorted out of that cell ahead of our release. A canine guard came to get them and said they were going to who they called leader and they never returned to the cell. I saw you there…” she pointed at me. “It was sometime after you’d left that the guard came and got them, and following them was a human guard.”
I stepped closer to her. “Do you know what they did to them, Mrs. Cooper?”
“I don’t, but I’m sure police constable Luke Barry would know. At least, that was his position at the time. He was the human guard I saw walking with them.”
Breathing a sigh of relief, I reached out and held her hands. “Thanks so much, Mrs. Cooper. Bless you for finding it in your heart to tell us the truth.”
She only nodded.
As we were leaving, Mr. Cooper hurried over to get his wife while their son leaned against the wall in front of the hallway, smoking a cigarette.
“Can you believe that?” Rob exclaimed, outside. “This woman was an answer to our prayers!”
“Yes indeed.” Sam smiled.
I was jumping up and down in my head, thrilled at the progress we were finally making, but I knew it was too early to celebrate.
“We have a name, guys, and that’s a great start, but we don’t know what’s coming, so contain your excitement because we’re just getting started.
“I agree, Hewey,” Sam replied. “But I’m overjoyed right now and I can’t help it! After nearly thirty years, we finally have the name of someone who might know what happened to our friend.” Her eyes welled with tears and I couldn’t help but to stop and hold her.
“I know. I know, Sam.”
Rob was walking a few feet ahead, giving us our space.
“Okay…” Sam dried her eyes with the back of her fingers. “I don’t cry easily, but…”
“It’s good to let it out,” I said, quietly. “We all want nothing more than getting the answers that have evaded us for so long, and by some shred of hope, to see Jase and his mom again.”
“Yeah.”
“Let’s find this constable now, shall we?” I smiled.
“Yep.” She smiled back.
9
_________________
After phoning police headquarters in hopes of locating Constable, now Chief Superintendent Luke Barry, I was told he was on vacation and due back to work the following Monday. It was Thursday, which meant the guys and I had to find something productive to do until we got our shot at speaking with the officer.
Being productive meant hanging out at Rob’s hotel and having a dip in the pool, like tourists, as Rob proudly put it; fishing on Lake Olivia in one of my uncle’s dinghies like we used to do so many years ago; frequenting the local restaurants we couldn’t afford to eat at when we were kids, and definitely sitting down for a couple of scoops of our favorite ice cream at Fredricka’s Diner. However, the ice cream stop didn’t happen until Saturday.
Even though I made sure to invite my brother, Carl, to hang out with us, he always declined and said Tamara was much better company. I was beginning to think he was getting quite serious about that girl. Did I hear wedding bells a little ways off in the future?
The Forresters had made some very attractive renovations to Fredricka’s Diner since the building was now very old. The bright red fish scale shingles and wide fluorescent green overhang which had a plastic, animated look to it were still there. The walls had a radiant orange hue and they’d extended the building another forty feet to include more tables and chairs. Grandma Jane, who’d worked there well into old age had passed on and now the grandchildren, including former prom queen, Dale Forrester, who went to school with me were keeping Grandma Jane’s dream alive.
Dale, whose beauty had not faded over time, had a short chat with the guys and me after we’d walked in. She was certainly more sociable than she was when we were kids.
As we sat there, revisiting our teenage years, Sam went on and on with Rob about how much he used to annoy her when we were hiding out in the distillery trying to find a way to rescue our folks. And, of course, he hadn’t the slightest clue what she was talking about.
“I could’ve strangled you!” she barked. “We’re in the crux of survival and you could never get your mind off that stomach of yours! You were a mess, Rob!”
“He’s still a mess.” I chuckled.
At our age, it was kind of hilarious watching them go at it, but back then, I had to step up as peacemaker. Otherwise, Sam might’ve torn off his head.
She looked at me. “Do you remember when he came into this same place for something to drink and walked out with a bunch of pastries instead?”
“I did get the ginger ale too!” Rob reminded her. “A few extra items wouldn’t have hurt.”
“They might’ve when we wer
e in a hurry to get back to the hiding spot!” Sam shook her head as she clearly realized trying to convince Rob that focusing on his sweet tooth instead of survival was nonsensical.
Then he said something else that got her fired up and they were at it again.
That’s when I noticed who’d just walked into the diner and was heading over to a table several feet away.
“Guys…guys…” I whispered under my breath. But, of course, they didn’t hear me.
“Guys!”
Sam looked at me. “What?”
“Over there,” I said, quietly keeping my focus straight ahead at the latest patron. Sam and Rob were now following my stare.
“Well, I’ll be damned,” Sam muttered. “If it ain’t Mr. Clyde Rivera, former Bible-totin’ adulterer and convict.”
“He’s out already?” Rob was stupefied.
“It’s been twenty-five years or thereabout, bud. Guess he’s done his time,” I said.
“Well, I think they should’ve at least thrown away the key since they didn’t give the guy the death penalty,” Sam asserted. “He killed a whole woman! Both he and Mrs. Christie were wrong for cheating on their spouses, but the woman didn’t deserve to die—and certainly not by his hands.”
“Where’s the justice, huh?” I said. “Mrs. Christie’s dead and this guy gets to go on with his life.”
“Not right, man. To think he killed her just to keep her mouth shut…” Rob sighed. “Anyway, it is what it is.”
Clyde Rivera had a rough appearance like that of a construction worker who’d spent many days in the hot sun. He used to have a softer look when he was in management at the insurance company he’d worked at before he managed to get himself into serious trouble. Mom had said his wife, Suzanne, had divorced him after he was convicted, sold their house and moved to a new town with a new man. So, when Clyde got out, there’s a good chance he was on his natural own.
“You guys ready?” Rob asked. “I wanna get outta here.”
Clyde’s presence had dampened Rob’s and Sam’s mood, but I didn’t see why they let it get to them to that extreme. Sure, what the guy did was terrible, but he was still a part of the community and people just had to accept that fact.
The Hewey Spader Mystery Series (The Complete Trilogy * Books 1 -3 ) Page 17