Barry slid open one of his desk drawers, then placed multiple prescription medication packets on top of the desk.
“Looks can be deceiving,” he said. “This is how I cope with what I know. As a high-ranking police officer, it’s embarrassing to say that the events of 1995 changed me to where I’m frightened even to this day and more so because of a secret I’m afraid to tell—but it’s true. Chief Mays obviously tried to get it off his chest before he died.”
I was startled by Barry’s confession.
I remember you, Mr. Spader. I knew who you were from the moment you walked in here. I saw you at the compound that last day. You had a meeting with the Tibetan Mastiff leader of the canines, but what I overheard from two other canines was that those with you also had a private meeting with the leader while you were still there. What they went on to say is what I’m afraid to utter for fear that somehow those beings will hear and come back and retaliate against me and my family. I cannot risk that, Mr. Spader—I’d die first. What I suggest is that you get the truth out of the man who was directly involved and knows firsthand what really happened—and don’t stop until you do.”
He gave us the name that shocked us to the core, and without delay, we were on our way to confront him.
12
_________________
I banged on Jeffreys’ door and didn’t stop until he opened up. The anger I felt inside was something I hadn’t remembered ever feeling before.
He soon opened the door with a confused expression on his face.
“How could you?” Sam demanded after we’d entered his house without an invitation.
“What are you talking about?” Jeffreys asked, clearly shocked by our hostile intrusion.
“Tell us what happened in that meeting the leader of the canines had with you and Hugo after I left the room,” I insisted.
“What meeting?”
“You know what meeting I’m talking about, Jeffreys!” I scoffed. “After I went in there and he agreed to release everyone and leave this town, you and Hugo were called in. You made me believe it was all about him dealing with Hugo for betraying his own kind, but there was more to it than that, wasn’t it? What didn’t you tell me?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about, Spader.”
He turned his back on me and sat down in his rocking chair.
I grabbed him by the collar. “You either tell me the truth, old man, or this face is gonna be the last one you’d ever see!”
He glanced at Rob and Sam as if they’d care to rescue him. I’m sure he remembered, according to his own words, how we were rascals and brats in our younger years. I’m guessing at that particular point in time, he figured not very much had changed.
I tightened my grip to show him I was dead serious.
“Okay! Okay!” He held up his hand. “I’ll tell you.”
I released him and he sat back in the chair.
“We’re waiting!” Sam said.
Jeffreys sighed heavily. “It’s best if you all sat down for this.”
The guys and I glanced at each other and reluctantly sat with him in the living room.
It seemed like a century had passed before he spoke again.
“Spader, I hate to break the news to you that your agreement with the leader was not as cut and dry as you thought it was.”
“What are you saying?” I was sitting at the edge of the chair.
“He called Hugo and me in there, yes—to scold Hugo about his betrayal of their kind for the sake of us humans, but also to tell us that because of his betrayal, there would have to be a trade-off. For him to release the residents of this town, two of them would have to go with them when they were leaving.”
“What? We all exclaimed, simultaneously.
“A trade-off?” I said.
“Yes.” He nodded slowly.
“He asked for names, and Hugo and I both hesitated for the longest time because we couldn’t believe what he was proposing. However, he said it was the only way he’d release everyone. Two people had to be the sacrifice for an entire community was the way he put it. In the end, it was left for me to decide who those people should be since they were our kind.”
I couldn’t believe my ears. “So, you chose Jase and his mother?”
“I did.”
“Why them?” Rob asked.
“Because the two people had to be someone close to you, Spader. It would’ve been either your parents or two of your friends; I’m sorry. I knew Jase only had his mother and figured if I chose them, no matter what happened, they’d be together.”
Tears were streaming down Sam’s sweet little cheeks again and Rob was teary-eyed too.
“I can’t believe this,” I whispered.
“The mastiff promised they wouldn’t be harmed though,” Jeffreys quickly added. “That’s the only reason why I’ve been able to live with myself and this secret for so many years.”
“Do you know what ever became of them?” Sam asked. “Did Hugo know?”
With the assistance of his cane, Jeffreys got up and walked into the hallway. I reached over and wrapped my arms around Sam’s shoulder, trying to comfort her.
“This is crazy,” Rob said. “Our buddy, Jase, turned out to be a victim in this situation more than once.”
Sam nodded in agreement.
Jeffreys soon returned holding something in his left hand. He sat down again, then called us over.
“I want to show you all something,” he said as we stood around him. The device he was holding resembled a miniature computer screen—approximately three inches on all sides—but this was unlike any computer I’d ever seen.
“What is this?” I asked him.
“This was handed to me by the mastiff before Hugo and I left his office. I was directed to conceal it on my way out. In light of what I had done, it was to offer me assurance that no harm had come to the boy and his mother.”
He waved his wrinkled hand across the face of the device and it immediately lit up. We all leaned in, and to our surprise, saw a little wooden house surrounded by fruit-bearing trees, and on the porch was Jase’s mom. She was sitting alone, shelling peas with a white bowl in her lap.
“Honey, come here!” she called out toward the door. And shortly thereafter, a tall, handsome man, clearly in his forties, joined her outside.
“It’s Jase!” Sam declared, cheerfully.
“Yeah. It’s him, isn’t it?” Rob’s face lit up.
“It’s him all right.” I was choked up, fighting back the tears. It was the very first time any of us had seen our friend for nearly thirty years.
“Where are they?” Sam asked Jeffreys.
“I have no idea,” he replied. “That little detail was not disclosed to me. Over the years, I checked in on them periodically, but they can’t see or hear me. They’re always outside enjoying the fresh air, doing odds and ends, gardening and such.”
“Have you ever seen anyone else with them?” I asked.
“Never. I have a feeling wherever they are, it’s likely in the middle of nowhere.”
Jase took the bowl of peas from his mom and kissed her on the cheek.
“In spite of everything, they seem happy,” Sam said.
For a while, I was at a loss for words. The reality of the matter was taking its own slow time setting in.
“Why didn’t you tell us, Jeffreys?” Sam asked. “You knew Jase was our friend and how concerned we were when we found out they were missing. Why did you keep this from us—at least the knowledge that they were alive?”
“Yeah. How could you?” Rob grimaced.
“I had to protect Hugo while he was still here,” Jeffreys admitted. “Then, after he was gone, I felt I had to protect myself. Knowing what I’d done, it was easy to believe that if I told you kids what had really happened, you’d be furious, just like you were when you got here today. I’ll be joining Hugo soon, so it doesn’t matter that much anymore. It’s all out now and honestly…I’m relieved.”
I had mixed emotions about Jeffreys and what he had done. Sam and Rob did too. The truth, however, was that he was cornered to make a decision that would’ve affected others in a major way and at the time, he did what he thought was best.
We left his home that day knowing we’d probably never see the man again; neither did we want to.
As we headed to my house to hang out for a while, Sam held the device Jeffreys had turned over to us and watched lovingly while Jase’s mom hummed softly in her little rocking chair as dust wisped into the air around the wooden house.
* * * *
“I’ll be heading back home tomorrow since our mission here is accomplished,” Sam said, as she and I sat alone on the back porch.
Carl and Rob were inside watching a football game and discussing what had been uncovered within the last couple of hours.
“When are you leaving?” she asked.
I shrugged. “I’m not sure yet. Think I’m gonna hang around here for a few more days and help Carl with getting a plan started for his mechanic shop.”
“It’s so nice what you’re doing for your brother, Hewey. I’m sure he’s thrilled about it.”
“Yeah, he is. Haven’t seen him so happy in a long time.”
She smiled.
“I guess your husband can’t wait for you to get back home.”
She was staring straight ahead. “It’s not like what you think. We’re actually getting divorced.”
I shook my head. “I’m really sorry, Sam.”
“Don’t be. It’s been terrible for a long time and I just wanna get it over with.”
I wasn’t sure what to say.
“At one time, I thought he was my soulmate,” she continued. “But I was so wrong.”
I reached for her hand and squeezed it gently.
“I should’ve followed my heart.”
“Where was your heart leading you?” I asked.
She turned and looked at me with those beautiful eyes of hers. “It was leading me here with you ever since I turned sixteen.”
I was stunned. “Why didn’t you say anything to me?”
“Because I was afraid of getting rejected. We were so close and I didn’t want to risk the friendship we had,” she explained.
“I wish you would have.”
“What?”
I leaned over, held her face and kissed her passionately.
“I have been in love with you my entire life, Sam,” I whispered. “I always knew you were my soulmate.”
We kissed again, then held each other. And I wished that moment would last forever.
* * * *
The next day, Carl, Rob and I saw Sam off at the airport. It was nice having my brother with us for a change.
“So, you two are an item now?” Rob asked as we were pulling away in Carl’s jeep.
“She’s moving to New Mexico to be with me after the divorce has been finalized.” I smiled.
“Splendid! I knew you two had the hots for each other from we were kids. I have no idea why people don’t just tell each other how they feel so they wouldn’t waste any precious years hooking up with people they never should’ve been with in the first place! Don’t you agree, Carl?”
My brother laughed. “I think you have a point there,” he said.
Rob’s flight was scheduled for the following day. Carl and I spent the afternoon with him at his hotel having a few drinks and shooting the breeze. We had a great time together.
Rob and Sam entrusted me with the device Jeffreys had offered up to us and we all promised to keep in touch. We decided not to be intrusive upon Jase and his mother’s space, but only to check in periodically to see if they were still there. I was amazed how it all worked out, but saddened by the possibility that our friend was gone forever.
However, we were thankful that he and his mother were still very much alive.
~ THE END ~
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Discover Lucille Pfiffer Mystery Series
FREE EXCERPT OF BLIND SIGHT to follow.
Lucille Pfiffer sees, but not with her eyes.
She lives with her beloved dog Vanilla in a cozy neighborhood that is quite "active" due to what occurred in the distant past. Though totally blind, she plays an integral role in helping to solve pressing and puzzling mysteries, one right after the other, which, without her, might remain unsolved.
The question is: How can she do any of that with such a handicap?
FREE EXCERPT OF BLIND SIGHT
1
_________________
Super Vanilla
I carefully descended the air-conditioned jitney and started down the sidewalk with my cane in hand and Nilla, my pet Shih Tzu on leash at my side. Taking a cab was our preferred mode of transport, but sometimes we enjoyed a nice, long bus ride instead. Nestled on both sides of the street were a number of shops, including convenience stores, jewelry, liquor, antique stores and haberdashery.
It was the day before my scheduled meeting with the local pet society that while walking along downtown Chadsworth, I heard a woman scream. The vision of her anguished face flashed into my mind and the image of a young boy dressed in faded blue jeans and a long-sleeved black shirt running at full speed in the direction Nilla and I were headed. Gripped tightly in his hand was a purse that did not belong to him; his eyes bore a mixture of confidence in his escape intertwined with fear of capture. He was quickly approaching—now only several feet behind us. In no time, he would turn the bend just ahead and be long gone bearing the ill-gotten fruits of his labor.
One could imagine how many times he’d done the same thing and gotten away with it, only to plan his next move – to stealthily lie in wait for his unsuspecting victim. I heard the squish-squashing of his tennis shoes closely behind. It was the precise moment he was about to zoom past us that I abruptly held out my cane to the left, tripping him, and watched as he fell forward, rolling over like a car tire, then ultimately landing flat on his back on the hard pavement. I dropped the leash and yelled, “Get him, Nilla!”
Nilla took off at full speed and pounced on top of the already injured boy, biting him on every spot she could manage – determined to teach him a lesson he’d never forget. He screamed and tried to push her off of him, but a man dashed over and pinned him to the ground. I made my way over to Nilla and managed to get her away from the chaotic scene. Her job was done. As tiny as she was, she made her Momma proud.
The frantic woman got her purse back and the boy was restrained until police arrived.
2
_________________
The room was almost packed to capacity when I arrived at the podium with the gracious assistance of a young man. As he went to take his seat in the front row, I proceeded with my introduction: “My name’s Lucille Pfiffer—Mrs., that is—even though my husband Donnie has been dead and gone for the past four and a half years now. We had no children, other than our little Shih Tzu, Vanilla; ‘Nilla’ for short.” I smiled, reflectively. “By the way, I must tell you she doesn’t respond to ‘Nill’ or ‘Nillie’; it’s ‘Nilla’ if you stand a chance of getting her attention. She totally ignores you sometimes even when you call her by her legal name ‘Va (vuh)…nilla’.
“We reside in a quiet part of town known as Harriet’s Cove. A little neighborhood with homes and properties of all sizes. We’re mostly middle class folk, pretending to be upper class. The ones with large homes, much bigger than my split level, are the ones you hardly see strolling around the neighborhood, and they certainly don’t let their kids play with yours if you’ve got any. Those kids are the ‘sheltered’ ones—they stay indoors mainly, other than when it’s time to hop in the family car and go wherever for whatever.”
I heard the rattle inside someone’s throat.
“Uh, Mrs. Pfiffer…” A gentleman at the back of the room stood up. “I don’t mean to be rude or anything,
but you mentioned the neighbors’ kids as if you can see these things you described going on in your neighborhood. I mean, how you said some don’t play with others and they only come out when they’re about to leave the house. But how do you know any of this? Or should we assume, it’s by hearsay?”
I admired his audacity to interrupt an old lady while she’s offering a requested and well-meaning introduction to herself. After all, I was a newbie to the Pichton Pet Society and their reputation for having some ‘snobby’ members preceded them.
“Thank you very much, sir, for the questions you raised,” I answered. “Yes, you are to assume that I know some of this—just some—via hearsay. The rest I know from living in my neck of the woods for the past thirty-five years. I haven’t always been blind, you know.” I liked how they put you front and center on the little platform to give your introductory speech. That way, no eyes could miss you and you think, for one delusionary moment, that you’re the cream of the crop. Made a woman my age feel really special. After all, at sixty-eight, three months and four days, and a little over-the-hill, I highly doubted there were going to be any young studs falling head over heels in love with me and showering me with their attention.
“Pardon me, ma’am.” He gave a brief nod and sat back down again.
I took that as an apology. I could see the look on Merlene’s face as she sat in the fourth row from the front. She thought I’d blown my cover for a minute there, but she keeps forgetting that I’m no amateur at protecting my interests. Sure, I sometimes talk a bit too much and gotta put my foot in my mouth afterwards, but my decades of existence gives me an excuse.
I could hear Merlene scolding me now:
“Lucille, I’ve told you time and time again, you must be careful of what you say! No one’s gonna understand how an actual blind woman can see the way you do. They won’t believe you even if you told them!”
The Hewey Spader Mystery Series (The Complete Trilogy * Books 1 -3 ) Page 19