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MONDAY FOUND JIM STILL LISTENING for any comments about Mr. Bob. He hadn’t heard anything. A few minutes before twelve, Mike called out: “It’s lunchtime!”
As usual all three began their walk to the café. It was pleasant even though a little chilly. Mother asked: “Are you staying warm at night?”
“Yes, ma’am, indeed. I am. Thank you.”
He liked having someone worry about him, or at least expressing out loud such sentiments.
The post office family took their normal table. The Monday special was again meatloaf and green beans with new potatoes. He had to remind himself, I am here to do a mission and leave. Only a small part of it has been accomplished and I’ve let myself settle into a small town routine where I’m starting to care. That can’t be good– What bothered him was that he liked it. This small town fit. Maybe the revenge trail was over? The Long Ranger rides no more.
The front door opened and in came an old man that looked like a beggar. He went to the table as if it was assigned to him. Jim couldn’t help feeling sorry for the old guy. Then Mrs. McKinney asked: “What on earth happened to you, Mr. Bob? Where’s the dog?”
“Someone shot my Butch.” He put his hand inside his suit jacket and pulled out an envelope full of money: “I’ll give this $10, 000 to find out, who did it.”
Mrs. McKinney cautioned: “Put that money away! For $10,000 everyone in town will say they did it! Sit down and relax. Can I get you your usual?”
“Yes, ma’am, I would like that. Thank you!”
Jim couldn’t believe his ears. Mr. Bob was actually being nice. His doubt about him not feeling pain had been removed. From what he could see he had Mr. Bob’s attention and maybe nothing else was needed. He would make his last midnight call tonight.
The café quickly filled up with the normal lunch crowd. Everyone gave Mr. Bob a long stare when they came in. It was easy to see why. He looked like a destitute old man, not the richest man in the county. It was quieter than usual in the café ? that much was sure. No one knew just what to say, was the problem. They wanted to know what had happened, but they didn’t want to be the person who asked.
Suddenly, the phone rang breaking the silence. It seemed extremely loud for some reason. The noise surprised everyone.
Mrs. McKinney answered. “Hello, The Café. Yes, sir. He’s here.
“Mr. Bob, it’s for you.”
The silence grew thicker. Everyone was listening while trying to appear as if they weren’t.
“This is Bob. Slow down. I can’t understand you! You shot someone? Why? Never mind that. Is he dead? Where are you now? Don’t do anything until I get there!”
He hung up the phone, put five dollars on his table and quickly left. Mike whispered: “You two finish lunch and go back to the post office. I’m going to see what’s happened.”
Jim wanted to go also but knew that it would be dangerous to do so and agreed to do as instructed. He watched as Mike followed Mr. Bob out of the café and up the street. Mrs. McKinney came over to the table after they left. She began to talk with Mother. “You know, I think Mr. Bob has lost his mind, really do.”
“Why’s that?”
“You know it’s 40 degrees outside? Mr. Bob has every window and door of his house open.”
“You’re kidding’!”
“Really! One of my cooks goes by his house ever’ day. Says they’ve been open all weekend.”
Jim realized he and Peggy had been so involved with each other he had not even thought to look. Curious and anxious for Mike to return with news, the pair left the café.
Mike came into the rear of the post office looking pale and unstable. Concerned, Mother asked: “What’s wrong?”
“Craig shot and killed Sam McGill.”
“Why?”
“Craig says he came after him this morning with a gun so he put five shots in Sam’s chest. I heard Craig tell his father that Sue had called earlier and warned him that Sam was on his way. Mr. Bob asked Craig why he was so upset. Craig reluctantly told his dad that he’d stopped her on a back road and had sex with her. Then Mr. Bob wanted to know how on earth Sam had found out about it. Craig admitted they’d thought the little boy would stay asleep in the back seat of her car. When they finished in the patrol car, the little boy came up and wanted to know what they were doing. Then evidently the child asked his dad what the policeman was doing to his mommy. Mr. Bob told Craig they’d let the judge take care of the mess and for him to keep his mouth shut!”
Mike then sat down and put his face in his hands. “It looks like Craig is going to get away with killing a nice young man and father.”
Jim asked: “Why do you think Sam went so crazy?”
“It’s a long story and you wouldn’t know how to take it since you just came here. Sam used to work at Lockheed in Marietta. He and Sue lived here. He’d leave before 5:00 in the morning to drive to work and wouldn’t get home until late. The rumor got back to Sam that Craig and Sue were having an affair. Sam quit his job and became a real estate agent. That was almost three years ago. Everyone thought Craig had found another woman. I guess it is not the case.”
“I met the McGills at Harry’s. They seemed like such a happy couple. Why would she want to betray her husband?”
“Knowing Craig, he had something on her and it was either give him sex or he would expose it to everyone.”
“Do people in the county know what kind of man Craig is?”
“Yes, but what can they do about it?”
Jim thought every time he felt a ray of hope for the Foster family, some kind of evil crept out. It looks like Mother was right. Craig is pure evil ? Jim thought. It was time to implement the final phase of the plan ? and soon.
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