Book Four - Part 8 - Rhyming Evil - Chapter Fifty-Seven
Monday – August 13th
The Squad Room – 8:39 a.m.
“I can tell you that Jimmy and his son, Blake, were released from the hospital late Saturday afternoon. As far as what will happen between them, how they will try and heal from what happened, is a road they will either deal with or not. I wish them both well. What I do know is that his business won’t reopen until after Labor Day.
“On a lighter note; just a reminder to all of you who volunteered for MDA, we start up a week from tomorrow. All shifts will have a final reminder in your inbox on Monday the twentieth. So be advised. If something comes up, we do have eleven alternates if needed.
“Beyond that, if there aren't any questions, then get out there and stay safe and keep our streets safe.”
“Hold on a second.”
Heads turn and smiles appeared on everyone's faces.
“I’m delivering the donuts today, so don't any of you guys go anywhere just yet.”
Baker shook her head as Ed walked to the front and sat six boxes of a variety of pastries on a table.
“Ed, you didn't have to do that.”
“I know, but you kept telling me the guys wanted to see my ugly mug and here I am.”
The next twenty minutes were spent in asking Ed how he was doing. A few even said he should come back on the force.
“Sorry, but Robo-Cop I’m not. But one day, you guys might see me in a courtroom prosecuting the people you arrest.”
Eventually, the bodies in blue filtered out with the comments of, “Good to see you again,” to “Come back more often,” and “Don’t be such a stranger.”
Then it was just the two of them.
Ed excused himself a minute, went into the break room and yelled loudly enough for Baker to hear him.
She walked in and Ed sat at a table with two coffees and a chocolate donut and two eclairs.
“I couldn't forget my favorite Lieutenant of all time.”
She sat down next to Ed, squeezed his left hand which automatically squeezed back with the right amount of pressure, and she smiled at him.
“A clever way to start off a week. God, I love you, Ed Manning.”
A Touch Of Grace – 10:30 a.m.
“I can see from your smile, mother, you are happy about something.”
“Yes, I am. I suspect before very long, there will be two people who will finally join mind, body and soul and unite in both the sanctity of marriage and the realms that love has to offer.”
“You speak of that policeman, Page?”
“Yes. Destiny has called us here, and we in turn; help with that destiny for others.”
“You do know, mother, darkness lurks. An evil presence has invaded other people’s thoughts.”
“Yes, Jonah. I have been aware long before our coming here. I also know without evil, goodness cannot last forever, just as evil cannot last.
“Yet, when the two are close to one another, one must part the way so the other can take control. And soon , that very thing will happen.”
“I heard you, mother,” said her other son, Brian. “Does this mean our stay here is almost over?”
“That I cannot answer as yet, Brian, but we will know soon enough.” Grace blinked her eyes several times.
“Enough of what will or won’t be. We have work to do, shelves to fill. Let us begin our day.”
Taco Bell – 12:15 p.m.
Devon, J.W., Baker, Dianne, Clauson and Klugston were sitting outside at a concrete table, munching taco’s, tostada’s, and chicken and beef chimichanga’s.
“It’s nice not to have to rush off to a call or stop a speeder, or break up a fight,” remarked Terrance Klugston.
“I’m just happy,” said his partner, Henry, “to wake up this morning knowing I still have a job.”
“Yeah,” replied Devon. “It would scare the hell out of us if you showed up dead!”
Everyone laughed.
“You know what I mean. Every time we put on this uniform we become a target, we become the subject or object of someone’s idea of a bad time. Just to wake up and smell the air, no matter how bad it can be on some days, is a good thing.”
“How’s your wife doing with the pregnancy?” asked Baker.
“She’s doing really good,” replied Clauson. “She goes back to her doctor next week for another check-up; but things are looking good for us.”
One thing Henry had right, thought Baker, it’s days like today that’s worth waking up to.
And the rest of the day would meet a quiet evening, and for once, though you would never hear the independent, ye collective sigh; every man and woman in blue felt today was a beautiful day.
No one anywhere died.
Tuesday = August 14th
A Touch Of Grace – 9:30 a.m.
All because of a quarter-page ad in the Montie Daily, a quick thirty-second announcement on Channel 08 Evening News, and along with the sign in the window, people filled the store and there was a line over a city block long.
People were clamoring to get those special items they would never see again. all the ads said the same thing: Due to personal family responsibilities, August 18th will be our last day. The doors will close at noon. Every item is half price.
The money spent was incredible, but it seemed no matter the purchase, another specialty item would replace the “last” one-of-a-kind item previously sold.
In a vision while asleep last night, Grace saw that she and her sons must move to another location. On the 21st of August, they would arrive (always showing up on a Tuesday) and open on Thursday (all part of the plan given her).
In her vision, she saw two men, one dangerous with a horrific past; the other, one of courage, yet filled with anger. She watched as both would do battle with only one walking away.
Hopefully, when that moment neared, her store would be nearby to help the goodness of one man's heart to overrule the dark heart of the other. But as with all things, nothing is ever guaranteed. Well, except the items she sold.
In the meantime, her sons worked speedily to create new and interesting items. After all, the store's logo must be met: We Bring The World To Your Home.
Baker just happened to be one of the people in line, who, after two hours, was finally inside. She what over to where Grace Middleton was standing, right behind the cash register.
“I don’t understand. Here not quite a month and already you are leaving us.”
“As I have tried to explain to others, we have family matters to attend to, and as regrettable as it is; business or not, family always comes before the coin. At least we are giving many a chance to bring a part of the world into their home.”
“I’m sorry. I hope you may reconsider one day and come back to Montie. You and your sons would be welcomed and the three of you are just so … creative. There hasn't ever been anyone like the three of you here before. You will be missed.”
“Oh, thank you. One day we may come back after all. In the meantime, what is it I can do for you?”
“Here is a photo of my son, Stevie, and his girlfriend, Ellie. They are standing on her father’s Catamaran. I was wondering if you could recreate this for me in some way. that is if you'll have enough time. if not, it's okay.”
“I don't see why I can't. Be here Friday. I will have it ready by then.”
“That soon?”
“We leave Friday at noon. Between myself and my boys, Friday will be perfect.”
“How much?”
“For you? For what you do for your community as well as your family? No charge.”
“I can't let…”
“No charge and not another word. Now, I have other customers. I will see you Friday, say around ten?”
Baker smiled, then walked out of the store. What an extremely interesting family. They haven't even left, and she could sense from the eyes of people waiting in line, they were saddened to see them go.
Inside, Grace placed the picture in the pocket of her light blue smock. She would have Baker’s gift ready after closing tonight.
Davenport Animal Clinic – 1:43 p.m.
“Terry, I just got off the phone with a retired married couple over in Mellon. Do you know where it is?”
“It’s north of here about eighty miles over in Elsmere County. You go through Stanhouse, stay on 60 for another eleven miles or so as if you're heading to Jefferson. Take Highway 15, which is a winding route for nine miles, and you run smack into Mellon. Why? What’s up there?”
“The Kincade’s. Retired couple, and they have about three dozen dogs in kennels, but both are in their nineties and well …”
“Let me guess. You said sure, we’ll take them.”
“Not exactly like that but close enough. Question is, do we have the room?”
Terry held up a finger, in his other hand is his cell phone.
“Yes, Kevin? Oh, sorry, John. No, that’s okay. You can give me an amount as good as Kevin could. How many empty cages do we have? Sure, I can wait.”
Looking at Patrick, Terry said, “He’s checking this morning’s latest entry.
“What? Oh, great! Thanks, John, and FYI, tell Kevin to be expecting thirty-six pups and adults.”
Putting his cell in his pants pocket, Terry said, “We’re in luck. We have forty-two empties, so it won’t be a problem, Patrick.”
“That’s good, and I have another idea I want to run by you.”
“You have my attention.”
“You know that empty space behind the grooming rooms?”
Terry nodded.
“I did some checking and there is one wall that dead ends or the kennel is. I’m toying with the idea of giving it an outdoorsy, playroom setting where the dogs can roam around for a few hours every day.
“It would cost about $20,000 for a running brook, fake grass, toys, lighting and drop traps where the grass is. The drop traps open just enough based on weight and pressure when the dogs party. That will then drop into a bin That is constantly sluiced with water from the time we open, until we close, and the waste drops into a hundred-gallon metal bin we exchange out for a new one when it fills.”
“Wow, Patrick, that’s a hell of a project. I just don't know if the trap thing will work, but the rest sounds good. It’s like Kevin and John could walk eight dogs an hour, and in an environment the dogs would readily adapt to.”
“Not only that, but when they are adopted, we can almost guarantee they are housebroken.”
“If you’re looking for my approval, I say why not. Like I said though, I’m not sure about the drop traps. Then again, that would be something to see.”
“If they don't work at first, I can get the company that would install them, to make certain they worked.”
“Sounds great, Patrick.”
“How is your wife doing?”
“Wonderful. Actually, before I forget, she asked me to ask you to have dinner at our home Friday night.”
“Oh, I'd love to go, Terry, but I already have a dinner date for Friday.”
“Well, good for you. Is she from around here?”
Patrick smiled but wasn't sure how to answer his question.
“Actually, my date is from out of state.”
“I hope you have a wonderful time. Maybe you can join us for dinner another time.”
“I’d love too.”