JACK KNIFED (23 page)

“Drop it.” Jack moved to the right and forced his eyes down to Henry’s chest.

Never look at his eyes. See the whole body.

Jack started to move to the right and, in his peripheral vision, he saw a blur behind Henry.

Alice, no…

Jack darted to the right to draw Henry’s attention. As Henry turned, he straightened up and Replacement smashed the shovel into his back. Henry groaned and dropped the knife. Jack sprang forward and threw him sideways to the ground. He picked up the jackknife and glared at the prone man.

“Are you okay?” Jack glanced at Alice, who stood with her legs apart, the shovel pulled back to strike again.

“Her? She hit me with a shovel.” Henry groaned as he worked on standing.

“You pulled a knife.” Jack held it up.

“You’re in my yard, stupid. I call the cops and you’re done. Get it?” Henry made it to his feet.

He’s right. Way to go, Jack.

“What’s the matter with you?” Replacement yelled.

“What?” Both Henry and Jack looked at her, perplexed.

She swung the shovel, pointing it at Jack, and he took a step back. “He wants to know who killed his father. You knew Steven. If you didn’t have anything to do with it, you’d help him. If you did have something to do with it, you’d act like you are right now.”

“You got a point.” Henry tried to straighten up and winced.

“A point?” Replacement continued. “You came at him with a knife. His father—”

“Was stabbed.” Henry walked toward the house. Replacement ran in front of him and lowered the shovel.

“Answer his questions.” The shovel shook in her hands.

“You got in a cheap shot, kid—don’t push it.” He stopped walking and stared at her. After a few seconds, he rolled his head. “You got fire.” He turned back to Jack. “I was across town with a woman.”

“Who?” Jack flexed his wrist and tried not to grimace.

“Screw you. She was married; so was I. I’m not saying who, but I wasn’t at the pond.”

The two glared at each other until Henry looked away.

“Look. I respect you going after the bastard who killed your father, but it wasn’t me. I need a drink.” He eyed Jack up and down. “Marine?”

“Army.”

Henry smirked. “You fight like a Marine. Come in.” He nodded to the house and started to walk by Replacement. He stopped, looked at her as she held the shovel out level to his chest. “She fights like a samurai.” He winced as he laughed and headed for the back door. Jack looked at Replacement, and she shrugged. He folded the knife up as he followed.

Dealing with a drunk. A Marine drunk who’s going to go drink. Great.

Jack walked up the two little steps and across the wooden deck to the open sliding door. Henry stood in an immaculate kitchen and placed three shot glasses on the countertop of a small island in the middle. He grabbed a fifth of whiskey and poured. As they walked across the threshold, Henry slid the drinks across the countertop toward them. Jack picked his glass up, but Replacement made a face.

“Whiskey in the morning? How can you drink that?”

Henry smiled. “Try getting hit with a shovel; that helps it go down.” He took his drink in one swallow and then reached for hers. Jack knocked his back, and Replacement frowned.

He shrugged. “I almost got stabbed.”

“Have any more, and I will stab you,” Replacement muttered.

“Damn.” Henry’s hand slammed down on the counter, making them both jump. “That’s what I need.” He held the glass and pointed at Replacement. “A damn stick of dynamite to keep me in check.”

Replacement smiled but took a step closer to Jack.

“Why do you think a cop was out at Buckmaster before your old man got killed?”

Jack set his glass down.

“A jogger came forward. He said he saw police lights.”

Leave the neighbor out of it.

Replacement looked at her feet.

“We interviewed everyone in town. Twice. This guy sure it was before? How could he be certain?” Henry asked.

“He saw the lights on his first lap and on the way back, he saw the lights when you and the ambulance showed up.”

Henry took the other shot of whiskey and pressed his lips together. “Why come forward now?”

“He had his reasons for lying about where he was.” Jack raised an eyebrow.

Henry’s eyes narrowed and he shook his head. “Well, I can’t say anything about the guy, but I’d say that’s BS.”

“Why?”

“I told you, I was across town. I was the only cop on duty. What lights could he have seen—an ice cream truck?”

“Could it have been another type of lights?” Replacement asked.

“Smart kid.” Henry raised his glass.

“No,” Jack said. “Police lights are distinctive. Could someone have taken another cruiser?”

Henry shook his head and poured another shot. “No. There were only four. I had one. Two were at the station, and one was at the gas station.”

“Why do you know that?” Replacement’s brows knit together.

“Ha.” His hand slammed down on the counter again. “She’s a keeper. Pipes right up. The chief made me check. I even had Atlas pull the repair record.”

“Atlas?” Jack resisted the urge to lean against the counter.

“Atlas Auto. They fix the cruisers. The cruiser never left.”

“What about the two at the station?”

Henry took another shot and made a face as if he had water up his nose. “No. Gracie Hickoring was on dispatch. Dispatch looked right out on the cars. They didn’t go anywhere with Gracie keeping eyes on them. She was diligent.”

“The paper said Frank Nelson handled most of the investigation—”

“That’s why you don’t trust those scumbags.” Henry slammed his hand down again. “Nelson couldn’t tie his own shoes. Guy was, like, eighty when I started. Chief ran the investigation.”

“How do you think he handled it?”

Henry’s eyes narrowed. Jack’s weight shifted.

“You can hit me with a shovel, and I’ll invite you in for a drink. But you talk smack about the chief, and we go at it again.”

Jack held up his hands. “Just asking. All I have to go on is what Franklin told me.”

“Franklin? Jeff Franklin, that slimy cockroach? You listen to me. Chief worked that case harder than I’ve ever seen him do anything. He was a good man and loved that boy.” Henry poured two more glasses. “Your dad was a great kid. I don’t think he liked me much. None of the kids really did. I was just out of the Marines and was a little hard on them. Kids need that. Most of the other kids were little sissies, but your dad was a tough kid. A good kid.” He raised his glass and downed another shot.

“The chief handled most of the investigation? When did he have you look at the cruisers?”

Henry exhaled and looked at the ceiling. After a minute, he shrugged. “Couple of months? Case had gone cold-cold. Maybe more like a few months. I remember I thought it was weird and…he really grilled me about it. Where I was.” He pointed at Jack. “He believed me. He knew me.”

“When did he fire you?” Replacement’s mouth snapped shut, but her question was already out.

“Dennis never would have done it. His tubby little brat canned me when he became chief.” He put his arms down and leaned on the counter. “Porker wouldn’t even let me explain.”

“You think of anything else I should know? Anything at all not in the report?”

Henry took a deep breath.

“The bastard who killed your father stabbed him…a lot. They call it a rage killing. The guy had a lot of hate. Didn’t make sense. Still doesn’t make sense. I bet you can’t find someone who hated that kid even now.”

Henry pushed the glass of whiskey toward Jack. “One for the road?”

Replacement pulled open a drawer and then placed a knife on the countertop next to the drink. She looked up and smiled.

“Ha.” Henry’s hand slammed down on the counter. “You’re my kind of girl.” He stood up and tapped his fingers. “You two got something going?” He smiled at Replacement and brushed his gray hair. “There’s some gray on the chimney, but there’s still fire in the stove,” he roared.

Replacement slid right next to Jack. “We’re together.” She tried to lean up to kiss his cheek but couldn’t, so she leaned her head against his chest. “A couple. Right, baby?”

Jack jumped when she grabbed and squeezed his bum.

“Yeah.” He awkwardly put his arm around her. “She’s a keeper. Thanks for your time, and sorry about—”

“Shut up.” Henry smiled as he reached for the other glass. “A couple more of these, and I’ll forget it even happened.” He shifted the glass to his left hand so that he could shake Jack’s outstretched hand.

“Sorry about the shovel.” Replacement raised one eyebrow.

Henry laughed and suddenly stopped. He stared at Jack and bit his lip. He raised the shot high.

“To Steven. Catch the bastard, and kill him slow when you do.”

He’s A Little Irregular

The Impala’s engine sputtered as Jack turned the key. He grimaced and pumped the gas until it finally started.

“I’ll have to go get some dry gas.” Jack frowned as he backed out of Cooper’s driveway.

“How can gas be dry?” Replacement looked at him oddly. “Are you okay to drive?” She glared at him.

“What? I had one drink.”

“So. Are you okay?”

“Yeah. I could have more.”

“I don’t want you loopy. What kind of gas do you need?”

“Dry gas. It’s something you mix with your gas if you get water in the tank. The Impala just sounds rough.”

Replacement looked behind them. “Why did you lie to Henry?”

“About what?”

“The jogger. It was the people across the pond who saw the police lights, right?”

Jack nodded. “The guy’s a drunk. He could say something or go try to talk to them himself. They don’t need that. Besides, I don’t know if I believe him one hundred percent.”

“You don’t?”

“I’m not ruling anyone out. He’s one of the last cops around who was working then. I want to check out his story at Atlas Auto.”

“Do you think their records would go that far back?”

“I hope. Look around. This town hasn’t changed much in thirty years.”

“I like it.” She wiggled back into the seat and put her feet on the dashboard. “Sorry about grabbing your butt.”

Jack felt the blood rush to his face. “Knock that stuff off.”

“I was just keeping our cover.”

“Our cover is brother and sister.”

“Eww. No.” Replacement made a face as if she were scaring a little kid. “Our cover is we’re…you know.”

Jack stopped at a traffic light and the Impala stalled.

Damn.

He turned the key and the engine just sputtered. He tried a couple more times until the car behind him laid on the horn. Jack threw the door open, and Replacement grabbed his arm.

“Look on the bright side.” She smiled sheepishly. “Now we can go undercover to Atlas Auto.”

Jack grimaced as Replacement called the garage.

They had to wait forty minutes for the tow truck. The kid driving it was Replacement’s age, and he was only a couple inches taller than she was.

“Mind if I try to start her?” he asked Jack as he ran his fingers through his long brown hair and looked at Replacement with a crooked grin.

“I know how to start a car, kid.”

“Just pop the hood.” The kid winked at Replacement and went to the front of the Impala.

Jack turned the key but the engine just sputtered. The kid pulled a can of carburetor cleaner out of his overalls and sprayed the motor.

“Keep trying,” he called out.

The Impala started and died as soon as he stopped spraying.

“You got something wrong with the fuel system, I think.” He closed the hood and wiped his hands on his chest. “Five miles to the garage. You two need a lift?” He smiled at Replacement.

Jack nodded. “Let me grab some stuff.”

Ten minutes later, the car was on the tow truck. The kid walked over to the passenger side.

“After you, miss.” He held the door open for Replacement and helped her up into the cab. Replacement looked down at Jack and smiled broadly. Jack climbed up next to her as the kid slid into the driver’s seat.

“I’m Matty.” He held out a hand to Replacement.

“Alice.”

“That’s a nice name,” the kid said to Replacement.

Alice grinned. “Why thank you, Matty. Everyone—”

“I’m Jack.” Jack stretched his arm across Replacement and kept his hand there until the kid shook it. “How about we get going?”

“Sure.” Matty pulled out quickly enough that the chains rattled behind them.

Jack nervously looked at the Impala in the rearview mirror. “Hey, kid? I should have mentioned that I really like that car, and I want you to be extra careful with it.”

“Oh, I’m careful. Don’t sweat it. I do this all the time.” He flashed a big smile at Replacement, and she grinned back. “What’re you doing in Hope Falls?”

“My
brother
and I are doing some research into our family.” Replacement turned to smile at Jack.

Matty’s smile grew. Jack cracked his neck and grabbed the gym bag he’d taken with him off the floor of the Impala.

“It may be awhile to get that old car going.” Matty shifted closer to Replacement. “You wanna get something to eat while you wait?”

Replacement leaned closer to Jack, but when she saw the scowl on his face, she settled for sitting bolt upright between the two men.

“Tell you what, Matty.” Jack plopped the gym bag on the dashboard and opened it. “Why don’t we get back to the garage and you look at my car while Alice and I get a bite to eat.” As he moved things around, he let his gun become clearly visible. “I’ll be happy to pick you up something and bring it back.” He took out his wallet and let his badge stay in view as he handed out a business card. “You can call me when it’s done, and I’ll have some additional questions.”

Matty’s hand shook as he took the card and then he put both hands on the steering wheel. Jack smiled when he noticed Matty also slowed down.

When they pulled up to the garage, Jack raised an eyebrow. The small building was a combination gas station, used car lot, and service station. One look at it and Jack was sure it was the same as it had been thirty years ago.

“What’s the mechanic’s name?” Jack asked as he hopped out and helped Replacement down.

“Marty. He’s my dad.” Matty flashed a quick smile at Replacement but quickly continued, “I’ll back your car right in, okay?”

“Thanks,” Jack muttered as he grabbed Replacement by the hand and headed into the garage. A man in his early forties, who looked like an older version of Matty, walked out the front door.

“You the fella who broke down on West Street?”

Jack nodded. “It just stalled. It had been running fine, but it was running rough this morning.”

“When you get gas last?”

“Yesterday. And I got the gas here.” Jack pointed toward the pumps.

“Then it’s not the gas.” Marty laughed. He looked at his watch and continued, “I’ll take a look now. I like a late lunch anyway.”

“We’re going over to the diner.” Jack nodded to the little lunch place across the street.

“Take your time. Get the meatloaf. It’s excellent.” Marty turned and headed over to direct his son as he backed the Impala into the bay.

“Be careful with my car,” Jack called after him. “Let’s go.” Jack turned and walked away.

Replacement hurried after him.

“This sucks,” Jack muttered as he waited to cross the street.

Replacement made a face. “I’m sure your car will be fine.”

Jack glared down at her. “You don’t sound very sincere.”

“It’s a car.”

“It’s my car, and she’s sick.”

“She?” Replacement hurried to keep up with him as he crossed the street.

“How else am I supposed to refer to her?”

“It’s a—”

Jack stopped on the curb. “This is the part where you say sorry and stop, okay?”

“Okay.” Replacement rolled her eyes.

Jack didn’t move.

Replacement’s mouth opened. “Sorry.”

Jack held the door to the diner open and let Replacement walk through. The place looked stuck in time, too. A row of booths ran along the windows, and a counter with blue vinyl stools separated them from the kitchen in the back. A couple men sat sipping coffee while a bored waitress with big blond hair, bright red lips, and a shirt that was a little too tight on her chest stood up when Jack walked in. She brushed out her little apron, which was only slightly smaller than her skirt, before she strutted over to them. Jack noticed Replacement’s mouth twist into a frown.

My turn.

Jack draped his arm over Replacement’s shoulder and pulled her in close. The waitress frowned.

“My baby sister and I’d like a booth, please.” He flashed his most dashing grin, and the waitress’s face lit up in response.

“Sure, sugar. Right this way.” She bit her bottom lip and sashayed over to the booth. Jack slid in on the right, and Replacement pushed in next to him.

“Aren’t you going to sit over there?” The waitress put a hand on her hip and gestured with the menu to the other side of the booth.

“Someone may be joining us in a minute,” Replacement replied as she gave Jack an elbow and a smug look.

The waitress rolled her eyes, placed the menus on the table, and walked away.

“Move over.” Jack slid against the wall.

“I hate the whole brother and sister cover.” Replacement made a gagging gesture. “I’m not doing it.”

“Because you don’t think of me like a big brother?” Jack tossed a sugar packet.

“No, Jack. Chandler was like a big brother, but—”

“Fine. I get it. Order. I want to go check on my car.”

“We just…okay.”

Replacement picked up her menu, and Jack flicked another sugar packet across the table. The waitress brought over two waters and leaned way over to hand Jack his.

“Do you want to hear about the special, honey?”

Jack smiled and leaned closer. As he opened his mouth, Replacement interrupted.

“I think you may have popped a button on your shirt. Your boobs are almost falling out.” Replacement’s sarcastic whisper was so loud that the two guys on the stools and the cook looked over. The waitress jerked up and took a step back as her face turned a deep scarlet.

“We’re all set to order, too.” Replacement continued. “Two hamburgers and fries, please. I see you have sweet tea so I’ll take two of those, too. And he’ll take a salad.” As she leaned closer to the waitress, she put her hand to the side of her face. “He’s a little irregular.”

The waitress made a face, and now it was Jack’s turn to turn red.

After the waitress walked away, he growled. “What’s wrong with you?”

“You were pouring it on with her, so I decided to play, too.”

“Okay, truce.” Jack held up a hand. “That was embarrassing. Point to you.”

“I like it when you give up.” She wiggled her shoulders.

“Can you move to the other side so we can talk about today?” Jack asked.

“I like this.” Replacement pulled her legs up and turned to look at Jack.

“Fine. When we get back to the garage, I want to see those records. There were only four cruisers. Henry said he had one, and I have to rule this cruiser out.”

“If you rule it out, where does that leave us?”

Jack clenched his jaw.

“Let’s talk to the guy at the garage then go over to the dispatcher’s house. Kristine gave me the address.”

“Do you think the car will be ready?”

Jack shook his head. “I’ll see if I can get a rental. I have to go over to Pinkerton. It’s two towns over.”

Replacement scrunched up her face. “Why?”

“Let me make sure they have what I need and I’ll tell you.”

“We’re going all the way over there and you don’t know—”

“They told me they have it, but someone telling you something doesn’t make it true. Right, sis?” He grinned at Replacement and tried not to look at the waitress as she set their order down.

“You all set, sweet thing?” she cooed.

“Can you put in two orders of the lunch special to go?” Jack asked.

The waitress stood up, and her eyes traveled all over Jack. “I like a man with a healthy appetite.” She played with her hair and licked her lip.

“Me too.” Replacement leaned toward Jack and kissed him full on the lips.

His eyes went wide.

The waitress’s mouth flopped open, and she gasped.

“You’re not supposed… That’s just wrong.” The girl cringed.

Replacement sat back and took a sip of her iced tea.