Connie, Jennifer and Jake need to identify a red corolla seen several times at the Hayes' house.
Part 7
Three known red corollas. Four if maroon
counted. All easily assigned to friends or relatives. “Get’s us nowhere”,
Jennifer said. “We’re absolutely nowhere but the
beginning all over.”
“Not exactly. Just because we don’t know whose car it is
doesn't mean that knowing can’t be done and be helpful.” Jake’s half full mouth of pizza
impeded his speech. “You think little Amy was seeing some man on the side?”
“Maybe,” Jennifer said, “but I wouldn't
think she’d do it in her own place. And Jake, talking with a mouth full slurs
your speech as well as looks gross.”
“Beg your pardon, Madam.” I laughed in
spite of my worry at Jake’s puckered lips and bobbing head. “Little Amy isn’t –
sorry—wasn’t the swiftest hare in the race. She might not consider that anyone
would notice.”
“More beer?” I asked over my shoulder on
the way to the refrigerator.
“Yes” came in duet. Then Jake continued, “Seems
like a capital idea for a Sunday at noon. The thumpers are just leaving church.
We can drink to them.”
“Best we drink to our business here.” Jennifer’s expression said what we all were
feeling.
The knock came at the back door. “Who in
the Hell?” I peered out front window to see the red corolla in my driveway. “What
the Hell it is—is our red corolla.”
I opened the door to a short balding middle
aged man. “Certainly not a probable lover for little Amy. “I just came from next door, at the Hayes’.
Nobody home. Know where I might reach
them?”
Grateful to be rescued by Jennifer who pushed in from of me, I stepped
back and stood next to Jake.
Jennifer without the slightest hesitation
asked bluntly, “Who are you and what do you want with them?”
With a weak smile that quickly became a not
so weak smirk he said, “Carl Whitlock if that is of any concern to you, and my
business is with them, not you. Else I
would have asked for you. Do you have any idea when I might reach them?”
Jennifer looked from Jake to me and back to
Jake, who nodded affirmatively. “Well Mr. Whitlock I am sorry if I seemed
intrusive and rude. We’re under some stress here. Amy Hayes is dead. Harold is
staying with his parents. I can give you directions to their place if you like.”
His white face slowly regained color; his
eyes focused on my kitchen clock; he took a deep breath. “When? Where? How?”
Jennifer’s terse account covered the
essential details. He was speechless. “Are
you all right?” Jake asked.
“Dead. She’s dead. I can’t believe it.”
“Did you know her well?” Jennifer asked.
“No. No I didn’t. I just met her a few
weeks ago. She seemed like a nice little thing. I was doing some carpentry work for them. In my off time. I got
sidelined with my regular job. Dead. Guess she won’t need that nursery now.”
“Nursery?” Jennifer said in a whisper. “Oh
my God, she was pregnant.”
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