by Judith Lucci
Tebo nodded in agreement as he watched Junior move towards the back of the bar. Roy studied the graffiti on the wall and rubbed the dozens of initials carved into the old table.
A couple of minutes later Junior popped money in the old Juke Box and the bar came alive to the sounds of Blake Shelton followed by several honkytonk tunes.
An hour passed as the men consumed the third pitcher of beer and six shots of whisky. Roy was anxious and stared at Tebo. "Where's the nutcase with our money?"
"Don't you worry, old-timer. He'll be here,” Tebo said with confidence. "The guy wanted the man dead and dead he is. Don't worry, he'll pay up." Tebo’s voice was matter-of-fact as he signaled Tricia for a fourth pitcher which appeared on the table a couple of minutes later.
Roy stood, angry and quick as a flash, knocked the pitcher of beer on the floor with the swipe of his arm. "The man is late. He is late. Where is he? I want my dough."
Tebo stood and looked down at the man. "Take a chill pill, old man, or you’re gonna have to deal with me. Do you understand?" Tebo’s face was twisted with hate. His good eye stared down the old man as the other eye deviated to the right. His voice a snarl. “You be quiet, old man, or I’m gonna kill you. You hear?” His voice was quiet but deadly.
Tricia, the barmaid, appeared with a mop and bucket to mop up the beer, but Tebo held his hand up and stopped her.
“He can do, Tricia. He made the mess.”
Tricia stood quietly. “I don’t mind,” she said softly.
“I said HE CAN DO IT, woman. Are you deaf?” Tebo was angry, his face livid. He scowled at the young woman who backed away quickly and returned to safety behind the bar.
Tebo turned his attention back to Roy. He got up, moved around the table to Roy, grabbed him by the front of his shirt and dragged him out of his seat.
“I said for you to get up and clean up this beer. NOW.” Tebo was outraged, his face purple with anger. He grabbed the mop out of the bucket and slung it at Roy. Water ran on the floor and on top of Roy’s boots.
The old man, with several too many whiskeys under his belt, glared at Tebo. They were about the same height, but Tebo clearly had the advantage. He was thirty years younger and thirty pounds heavier. Roy, spurred forward by alcohol, lunged towards the younger man.
"I said sit down," Tebo snarled. "I'm in charge here. I'm boss."
Roy shook his head. "You ain’t no boss. None of this would've worked if I hadn't done my job," he smirked. “You’d have never carried this off. It was my plan, my equipment. Y’all owe me for settin’ the stage."
Tricia walked over to the table with a fresh picture of beer and three shots of whiskey. "This one's on the house, gentlemen. My boss says that if the three of you don't pipe down, he's calling the sheriff’s office."
The old man's face went white with fury. "No, he ain’t. I'll kill him first." He sat down at the table and reached for the new pitcher of beer. He filled his glass and drank it in one long gulp.
Tebo sat down and filled his glass while Junior, gray with fear, remained still as a mouse. A few minutes later a tall man with dirty, dark brown hair and black eyes who looked about thirty years old, entered the bar and walked over to the table. He wore jeans and a flannel jacket. He stared down at the three men and gave them a malevolent look. A foul odor surrounded the man. He had an evil snarl on his face.
Roy offered the man his hand, but the guy turned away. Junior poured him a beer, but the guy shook his head. "I don't drink." He reached into his pocket and pulled out three envelopes. He gave one to each man at the table. The tall man stared at each of the men with his strange, almost deranged look.
Tebo snatched his envelope from the table and placed the envelope under the table as he counted his money. He nodded at the old man and Junior. "Check your envelopes, boys. Mine looks good."
Roy and Junior counted their money and nodded. Tricia watched from behind the bar. She’d never seen that much money in her life. Her heart raced with indecision.
Tebo looked at the man. "Appreciate the business. Let me know if you need anything else done."
The guy nodded. He stared at the three men seated at the table. He noticed the waitress huddled in the back booth near the bar. He knew she tried to be invisible. "If there is any trouble or fall out or if I hear anything from the police, the three of you are dead." He looked at the men. “Do you understand?”
All three men nodded.
The man turned and left the bar.
"Oh, sweet Jesus," Junior uttered, his voice low. He was frightened to death. "Who is that man? He looks like Satan himself."
Tebo shook his head. He noticed Junior's frightened face. "Best you not know, Junior. But he is someone you don't need to tangle with. Because he will kill you... and your family. Best to forget his face."
The old man wrapped his arms around himself for warmth. He had chill bumps. "I think like Junior. That man there is a devil. He just ain't right." Roy seemed sober as a judge. In fact, all of them seemed sober. He turned to Tebo. “You know that dude?”
Tebo nodded. "Yeah. I know him. We did our job. We got paid. The next round’s on me." He raised his hand for Tricia's attention as the old man continued to hug his body.
Chapter 9
I must admit, the Asian Pagoda Palace was amazing in every way imaginable. It was located on a primary piece of downtown real estate in Harrisonburg. The place was posh and gorgeous. I felt like I was having dinner at the Hotel Jefferson in Richmond, Virginia. The walls were covered with venetian marble and not even the gilded gold columns were tacky. There were three ginormous glass chandeliers that were breath-taking, and I couldn’t help but stare at them as we waited for our table. When I saw the menu, I can honestly testify that there were no “meal deals” like I was used to in other Asian restaurants. We’d scored a great table near a window. The menu was expensive, and all choices were ala carte. Nevertheless, I felt like it was gonna be worth every penny. My mouth had begun to water as soon as I entered the golden doors.
“Hey, guys, I'm sorry I'm late," Kenzie smiled, a little short of breath as she walked swiftly over to the table. Solomon walked quickly beside her. I couldn't help but notice the raised eyebrows as Kenzie made her way towards our table. After all, most of the ‘Burg’s finest didn’t permit dogs in their restaurants.
"Not a problem," Angie assured her as she looked up. "I just ordered my first Mai Tai!" Solomon stood at full attention while Angie scratched his neck. Kenzie’s black lab was the best trained dog I've ever seen in my life. He made my dogs look like wild hoodlum renegades from the wrong side of the track.
Kenzie's eyes lit up. "Wow! A Mai Tai! That sounds good, but I better stick with a single glass of wine. I've got a bunch of work to do after dinner." She took her seat across from LauraLea. Solomon lay under the table at her feet.
"Oh, for heaven’s sake, Kenzie. You work all the time," LauraLea admonished as she reached for her glass of sweet plum wine. "At least, if you’re gonna have a glass of wine, you should go for the plum. It's delicious," she said with a grin before she took another sip. “Plus, I think it’s about 150 proof!” LauraLea fanned herself with her napkin.
Kenzie laughed. "Be careful, LauraLea. That stuff’s like drinking rocket fuel! It'll light you up so quickly you won't even know you were here." She turned to me. "You'll probably have to drive her home, Lily. Did you bring your glasses?"
I nodded and checked my purse. "I never go anywhere with LauraLea without my glasses. I definitely need to have them to drive at night." I gave LauraLea my impatient look.
"Lily Lucci, you've never driven me home so cut the bull! I'm a much better driver with a couple of glasses of wine on board than you are at ten o'clock in the morning and you know it!" LauraLea smirked at me.
I shrugged my shoulders and grinned at Kenzie and Angie. "Well, there may be a little bit of truth in that. Although, I'll stick my driving record against anyone else's at this table, especially the driver of the Lexus."
&n
bsp; Angie’s laugh was brittle. "My driving record is pretty bad. I swear those lowlife Massanutten cops stop me and give me a ticket every two or three months. I wouldn't be surprised if they put notices on their phones to remind themselves that I haven't had a ticket in three months. It drives me nuts, not to mention it costs a fortune." Angie's face was flushed with anger.
I nodded. I was also a victim of the Massanutten police ticket-giving scam. When I first moved home, or back to Virginia I guess I should say, I bought a house on the mountain. After two tickets in less than a year I received three tickets in one day. That was it. I rented my house on the mountain and moved into town. I needed to keep my driver’s license. Those cops were incorrigible.
"I've got you beat, Angie. I got three tickets in one day — they stopped me three different times.” I still got mad when I remembered it.
Angie’s mouth dropped open. “Three in a day! What did you do, Lily? That’s really extreme.” Her eyes were huge. “Three in one day has to be a record!”
I rolled my eyes. I’ve been told I do that a lot. “Yeah. That was my thought as well. I got one because a brake light was out, another for going five miles over the speed limit when I was coasting downhill. They gave me a third ticket when I got to the gated entry because I didn't have my registration with me. That's why I moved into the ‘Burg. I’d be riding a scooter or a bike if I still lived up there.”
Kenzie's mouth flopped open. "That's unbelievable! I'm surprised they can even do that." She shook her head and sighed. “They are such puffed up pains in the butt.”
I knew Kenzie had the same opinion of the Massanutten Police department as I did. In truth, they didn't like me, and I certainly didn't like them. I decided to change the subject as I perused the menu. "Angie, what's good here? I know you and Fred were here last week. Is there anything you’d recommend?"
Angie smiled broadly. Her hair shone in the low lights of the chandeliers. "Oh, I'm definitely having sushi. Maybe the sunshine roll and a salad with the ginger salad dressing. Everything here is good, trust me." She held up the large six-page menu and pointed to her choice.
“Yum, sushi sounds good,” Kenzie admitted as she looked around the restaurant. “The decor is beautiful. It's amazing and pretty high class for the ‘Burg," she declared. "It’s not overdone and tacky like many Asian restaurants I’ve frequented.” Her eyes returned to the menu. “I think I'm having the rock shrimp and a couple of vegetable rolls.”
Angie nodded. “I heard the rock shrimp were really good. I may have to have a bite,” she smiled.
Kenzie nodded and watched a lovely Asian girl deliver a plate of food to the next table over. She looked at us, her brown eyes shined in the light. "I think this may soon be my favorite place."
"LauraLea, what are you thinking of having?" I turned to look at LauraLea who’d been quiet for the past few minutes.
LauraLea's green eyes had been glued to the menu and now sparkled with delight. I noticed her face was a little flushed, most likely from the plum wine, but it could've been a reflection from the red velvet wall next to our table.
.
"I'm gonna have the General Tso’s chicken. I love General Tso’s. Plus, I'm gonna take another dinner home for Raymond." LauraLea was always so thought and caring of her husband. Sometimes I didn’t think he deserved her.
"Where’s Raymond? Is he at his hunting cabin?" Kenzie glanced at LauraLea and she flipped through the multiple pages of the menu. She looked up as another petite, classically lovely Asian waitress approached. "I'd like a pot of green tea." She looked around the table. "Would anyone like to join me?"
I raised my finger. "That sounds great to me.” I’d finished my Mai Tai. It was good, but I wasn't much on drinks with real alcohol – in truth I didn't drink much at all anymore and the Mai Tai was too sweet. I’d become so boring in recent years. But, “back in the day” as my grandchildren say, I’d loved a drink of two.
"Have you decided what to order, Lily?" Kenzie asked. “Everything here looks so good!”
I nodded. "Yep. I'm gonna have the seafood curry. I hope it's as good as they say.” I checked the menu. “The menu says it isn’t too hot.”
"Yum, that sounds great." Kenzie's face lit up. "I think I'll have that as well and it’s not hot. I’ve had it before."
“You’re having seafood curry and rock shrimp? You must be starved,” I said as I looked at her.
“You’re right. I’ve be having two big meals.” Kenzie reconsidered. “Nope, I think I’ll just have the curry. I’ll save the rock shrimp for next time.”
Several moments later our waitress returned, and we all placed our food orders. We were presented with a simple salad that had the best ginger dressing I'd ever eaten. It was yummy and I wished it was triple the size. Of course, eating the ginger dressing out of a bowl with a spoon would have worked as well.
"So, what's going on with the investigation? Have they identified who died on the mountain?" I looked at Kenzie as she forked her last bit of salad and picked up her spring roll.
Kenzie took a bite of her spring roll. "Yeah. I know who died and I can tell you. It's quite sad and you may be surprised. It was Sam Painter.”
I felt pain constrict my chest. "Sam Painter? It was Sam” I paused. “I can’t believe that. Sam was an excellent skier. How could that have happened?" I was surprised and I'm sure it showed on my face.
LauraLea’s hand flew to her mouth. "Not Sam! He’s one of the best people we have in local government. Plus, he was on the US Olympic ski team back in the day." She had tears in her eyes.
I patted her hand. I knew that Raymond and Sam had gone to school together. They were about the same age and were good friends.
Angie's face was white, but she remained silent. Her dark eyes burned like coal against her white, drawn face. She shook her head and stared down at the gold tablecloth. I remembered that Angie had dated Sam a few years ago and had liked him a lot. Although it hadn’t worked out in the long run, they’d remained good friends.
Kenzie nodded, her face flushed with anger. "I agree. I feel the same way. Sam’s the last person I expected to see in a ski accident on the Black Diamond slope at Massanutten Resort. But, unfortunately it's true." She paused as our waitress delivered our pot of tea and poured a cup for Kenzie and me.
I was still flabbergasted. My heartbeat roared in my chest as I considered Sam Painter’s death on the highest, expert slope on Massanutten Mountain. I swallowed the lump in my throat. “What happened, Kenzie?” My voice was low and soft. “Yesterday was a perfect day to ski. The sun was out and there's a good base of snow. Besides, the slopes were crowded, but not overly so I wouldn't think. So that wouldn’t have caused an accident. Plus, Sam was a top-notch skier."
LauraLea interrupted. “Excellent! He was more than excellent — he was an Olympian.”
Kenzie nodded. “He was a consummate skier. He used to ski with Gabe and I all the time, especially before his wife died of cancer. They were our close friends," she noted as her voice wavered. "In fact, Sam and I’ve remained close over the years. I skied with him a week or so before Christmas." She had big tears in her eyes.
I reached over and touched her hand. Kenzie’s job was so hard. I couldn’t image investigating the death of a friend much less doing their autopsy. "I'm so sorry, Kenzie. I didn't know." My heart went out to her. It gave me chill bumps to think about her pain. I felt Solomon stand under the table and move closer to Kenzie. I heard him whimper. I knew he was upset because his mistress was upset. I pushed my chair aside and let the massive black lab out. He put his face in Kenzie's lap and she stroked his ears until she was calm.
"I can hardly believe this," LauraLea murmured. Her eyes were dark with grief. "Sam was one of the best guys around, and a leader in the community. There's gonna be a lot of people upset about this."
I was silent as I fiddled with the handle of my teacup. This was hard to process. Sam was an excellent skier. Massanutten was a run-of-the-mill ski resort. W
hat could have happened?
"Yeah, there will be. It was on the news at six and will be at eleven." Kenzie checked her watch. "My office didn’t announce it until a few hours ago because we couldn't reach his parents. They’re on a cruise somewhere in the Caribbean and we had to wait for them to get into port."
LauraLea gasped. "Oh no! The elder Painters are going to be so upset. They were so proud of Sam." She clasped her hands together and reached for her glass of plum wine. “But what about his brother? The one who lives in the group home?”
Kenzie sighed. "We sent the local police over to tell Ralph. He’s in a half-way house now. I think he is in Staunton but just got out of Central State a couple of weeks ago.” She shook her head. “I hear he had a relapse. Police said that either the hospital couldn’t get his medication right, or that Ralph wouldn’t take it.” She shook her head.
Laura rolled her eyes. “How’d that go. Did he take it all right?”
Kenzie shrugged her shoulders. “I guess. I really didn’t hear much about it.”
“What’s wrong with him? I know I’ve known over the years, but I can’t remember.” LauraLea looked at Kenzie.
Kenzie shrugged her shoulders. “I’m not really sure I know. I think he exhibits psychotic behavior at times. Has delusions and stuff like that, maybe some hallucinations.”
“So, how’d Ralph take Sam’s death?” I asked again.
Kenzie opened her hands in a helpless gesture. “As I said, I didn’t hear. Alright as far as I know. The local police officer said he showed no emotion at all and wasn’t sure if the guy even understood.”
“That figures,” Angie said.
I studied my teacup. I felt so bad for the Painters. They’d had nothing but grief the past few years. Ralph had been an issue with them for his entire life. I’d always heard he was crazy and deranged and like many patients, difficult to manage.
Kenzie continued. “Yeah, his parents were proud of him. With Ralph in the hospital all the time, Sam was all they had left after his sister died from lymphoma five years ago." Kenzie wiped tears from her eyes. “It was a bad spell there for us. First Katie passed away, then Sam lost his wife and then just a few months later I lost Gabe. I’ve spent a lot of time over at the Painter’s farm. They’re the best people in the world."
