THE ALEX FLETCHER BOXSET: Books 1-5

by Steven Konkoly

  Chapter 22

  Heavy rain pelted the windows of the master bedroom. Dark grey skies loomed through the half open shades in Alex and Kate’s darkened bedroom. Alex reached for the ringing phone.

  “Who is that? It’s not even seven,” Kate asked in a groggy and annoyed voice.

  “It’s Ed,” he said in a similar voice. “Hello?” he answered.

  “Alex, sorry to wake you, but something weird is going on outside. I think you should take a look. Sam was up early in the office and saw Eric Bishop and Todd Perry walk over to the McDaniels’ house. She saw them walk up to the front door and then walk around to the back of the house. What do you think they’re up to?”

  “Maybe they’re going to bring something over to Jamie at the hospital, or she asked them to take care of something,” Alex said, standing up to look out of the window at the McDaniel house.

  “Yeah, but I have the key to their house. Why wouldn’t she have told them to get it from me? I don’t like this. And why would they both need to be there?” Ed asked.

  “I don’t know. Are you thinking about heading over there? Wait. Hey, I can see them at the corner of the garage behind the house. It looks like Todd is trying to shoulder the back door open,” Alex said.

  “I’m heading over there to find out what’s going on. I don’t trust those two,” Ed said.

  “I’ll be right out,” Alex said.

  “Thanks,” Ed said and hung up.

  He headed toward the closet.

  “What’s going on?” Kate asked, sitting up in bed.

  “Nothing, I hope. Todd and Eric Bishop are over at the McDaniels’, and it looks like they’re trying to break in the back garage door. Ed is heading over to see what they’re up to. Maybe you should keep an eye on us out there, just in case. Call the police if something other than a fistfight erupts.”

  “Are you kidding me?” asked Kate.

  “Not really.”

  “You’re not taking a gun out there, are you?”

  “I can’t imagine that will be necessary,” Alex replied.

  “That’s not really an answer,” Kate said.

  He looked at her and considered her comment. “No, I’m not. I can handle myself against those two yahoos. Bringing a gun out there would only complicate the situation. The last thing we need is the police in our lives. I’ll be right back,” he said and headed out of the bedroom.

  “Be careful,” he heard Kate say.

  “As always,” he yelled back, descending the stairs.

  Alex reached the mudroom and put on his old black leather combat boots. Zipping his Gore-Tex jacket all the way up, Alex braced for the cold wind as he stepped out of the protective cover of the porch. The rain and wind hit hard as he walked across the driveway. Ed had already crossed the street, walking up to the McDaniels’ garage. They acknowledged each other, and Alex jogged across the rain swept street to meet him.

  “This blows,” Alex said.

  “Yeah, it’s pretty miserable. You’re used to this, right?” said Ed.

  “Nobody really gets used to this; they just get better at not complaining about it,” said Alex.

  Alex held his index finger to his lips as they approached the corner.

  Before they reached the corner, he leaned in close to Ed. “Be careful. Either one of these guys could have the flu. Don’t get too close,” he whispered, and Ed nodded.

  They rounded the corner of the garage together, facing down the length of the garage. Todd and Eric stood on the slanted bulkhead door trying to open a window, oblivious to their presence. Ed stepped forward, Alex trailing him. Eric noticed them first and tapped Todd on the shoulder. Todd turned and stepped down from the sloping bulkhead door.

  “Hey, I have a key if that would make things easier?” said Todd.

  “That would really help. As a last resort, I was going to bust one of the window panes on the garage door to get in,” Eric said.

  Alex kept his hands in his jacket pockets, which he felt was a neutral gesture. The rain hit them in sheets, clearly bothering Eric and Todd, who were facing directly into the onslaught.

  “What do you guys need?” Ed asked.

  Eric’s eyes darted almost imperceptibly toward Todd. “I wanted to get the kids some new clothes. It looks like they’ll be staying with us a little longer than expected. You heard about Matt, right?”

  “Yeah, that’s tough. I hope Jamie recovers quickly; the kids are going to need her,” Ed replied.

  “Have you told them yet?” Alex asked.

  “No, I’m not sure how to handle it. I think we should wait until Jamie’s home. The girls are worried, but doing okay. She should probably be the one to break the news,” Eric said.

  They all nodded, and Todd broke the moment. “Hey, can we talk in the house? I need to get out of this rain.”

  Ed took a Patriots keychain with two keys on it out of his pocket, using one of them to open the garage door. They all stepped inside, into the empty bay, which was next to Matt’s dark green Honda Pilot. A faint gasoline smell hit Alex as he stepped into the dusty garage. Eric and Todd moved to the center of the bay, near a large faded oil stain on the concrete deck. Alex and Ed stood in front of a waist-level workbench along the back wall of the garage, next to the door.

  “That’s better,” Eric said.

  “Anyway, I’m going to grab some more clothes and a few personal items. They gave me a list,” he said, pulling it out of his pocket. “I’ll make sure to lock up on the way out. Thanks for opening up for us,” Eric said.

  “No problem. I was pretty sure it was you guys. My wife thought she saw you head over, and Alex couldn’t be sure from his house. I’ll stick around to make sure it’s locked up and check on the rest of the house for Jamie,” Ed said.

  “We’ll take care of that for you. Take a look around, make sure the windows are shut tight, turn down the thermostat, all that stuff. No reason for all of us to be out on a day like this,” Todd said.

  “I feel responsible for the house and letting you guys in. I should be the last one out. I’d feel better that way. You guys can grab the stuff on the list, and I’ll make the rounds.”

  “Ed, we can handle it. Really, you’re kind of making us feel like children. I’ll check around, lock up, and give you a call,” Todd said.

  “I don’t see what the big deal is. We’re already here. It’ll go faster this way. You guys get the girls’ stuff, and we’ll check out the house. We should all be out of here in five or ten minutes,” Alex said.

  “And why are you here?” Eric asked, staring at Alex.

  “Why is Todd here?” Ed countered.

  “Because I asked him to help,” Eric said.

  “Same with Alex. Hey, we’re wasting time. Let’s get this going and get out of here,” Ed said.

  “Ed, you’re not the one watching her kids. Okay? We’re the only ones that really need to be here,” Eric challenged.

  “She gave me this key a few months ago, in case her kids got locked out, or for an emergency. I’d say this qualifies. I don’t see anyone else with a key.”

  “And I don’t see anyone here volunteering to watch her kids either,” Eric said, gesturing with his hands to Ed and Alex.

  “Her kids know about the key. They didn’t tell you about it?” Ed asked.

  “No.”

  “How did you end up with the kids, Eric?” Alex asked.

  “What do you care?”

  “Let’s just cut all of the crap. There’s a reason you want us out of here, and it has nothing to do with that supposed list in your hand,” Alex said.

  Ed regarded Alex with a surprised but satisfied look. Alex took his hands out of his coat pockets and folded his arms in front of him.

  “Fuck you,” Todd said, and Alex flashed him a mock smile.

  Eric remained silent, with a look of rage on his face. He crumpled the yellow piece of paper in his hand.

  “I’ll tell you what. You guys can get the stuff on that list and ch
eck the house. Ed and I will stay here in the garage and lock up when you leave. I’ll wait out in the rain. Doesn’t matter to me, or does that still ruin your real reason for being here?” Alex asked.

  “Look, we’re going to get some more clothes for the girls, and…” Eric paused to look at Todd, who shook his head in response.

  “And what?” Ed pressed.

  “It’s none of their business, Eric,” Todd said.

  “I’m not sure how any of this is yours either,” Ed said, staring at Todd.

  “Will one of you just come out and say it. You’re taking the food too, right?” Alex said, getting to the point.

  “Not all of it…” Eric started.

  “You don’t owe them an explanation!” Todd yelled.

  “Now it makes sense,” Alex said, pointing at Todd.

  “Yeah, well, I’m taking the kids next week. Not that you even care about the well being of the kids,” Todd said.

  “And you need to stock up now? Makes sense.” Alex shook his head mockingly.

  “Nobody is taking any of the food in this house,” Ed declared.

  “It’s only fair that if we’re feeding her kids, then we should be using their food!” Todd yelled indignantly.

  “Take it easy,” Alex said.

  Todd took a step toward Alex, and Eric put a hand on his shoulder to restrain him. “It’s fine, Todd, don’t let him push your buttons. That’s what you’re really good at, isn’t it? Pushing buttons?” Eric directed at Alex.

  “Only when they need to be pushed,” Alex replied.

  “I know you think you’re top dog around here. Tough guy marine. Decorated veteran. All that meaningless stuff you and your wife have pushed on us over the past eight years. You may have impressed the rest, but your nonsense never worked with me or my wife,” Eric said.

  “I’m sorry, did I just land in the middle of a different planet? What are you talking about, Eric?”

  “You may not have ever said anything directly, but you’ve made it pretty clear that you think you’re better than the rest of us. Clear to me at least. You had most of us fooled until Sunday, when your true colors showed,” Eric said.

  “Turned out to be a gutless loser,” Todd taunted.

  Alex could feel his own blood rising and figured that the two of them could probably see that his face was reddening.

  “Hey, if you’re watching the kids, you shouldn’t have to dig into your own supplies to feed them. Do you agree, Ed?” said Alex.

  “Barely, but I’m listening,” Ed replied, staring intently at Todd.

  “So what I propose is that you grab all of the stuff on that list, and then together, we’ll figure out how much food you should take.”

  “Who the fuck are you to tell me my business!” Todd yelled.

  “Exactly, I’m not having you guys stand over my shoulder like a prison guard,” Eric said.

  “Then get out of here,” Ed advised.

  “You’d just be screwing over the kids by kicking us out of here,” Eric said, and Todd sighed agreement.

  “Pathetic,” Alex said.

  Todd lunged for Alex, who stepped aside and turned his body with Todd’s motion, sending Todd toward the workbench behind him. Knocked off balance, Todd stumbled full speed into the workbench with his hands and arms extended, which luckily absorbed some of the impact. Despite the cushion of limbs, his chest hit the edge of the bench hard enough to knock the wind out of him. He slumped to the garage floor, looking up at Alex, straining to breathe. Eric remained frozen in the middle of the garage, and Ed stepped clear of the potential melee zone.

  “Do not try that again!” Alex warned, pointing at Todd.

  “Here’s the deal. Eric, you get the girls’ stuff, and Todd will cool his jets down here in the garage. Ed, why don’t you put together some food for the girls? Find a suitcase or an athletic bag, something big enough to fill with plenty of food. The girls can carry it around with them until Jamie gets back, and we can refill the bag as needed,” Alex suggested, moving out of Todd’s immediate striking distance.

  Eric nodded at Alex, still dazed by the sudden violence. “You okay?” Eric asked, walking over to Todd.

  “He’s fine. He just lost his wind,” Alex said forcefully.

  Eric stopped and backed up slowly into the Honda Pilot, which startled him and moved him into action. He scurried around the SUV and opened the door to the house. Ed began to move in the same direction.

  “Nice one,” he said, looking down at Todd, who was still taking shallow breaths of air and staring intensely at Alex.

  “I’ll deliver the food to the girls myself. I don’t trust these heroes,” Ed said, skirting around the back of the SUV to follow Eric.

  “Hey, you should put together a package for the Bartletts, too. These guys couldn’t have gone about this any worse, but I see their point about feeding Jamie’s kids,” Alex said.

  “Sounds fair, but I don’t want to totally deplete Jamie’s supply. She’s going to need it for all of them when she gets back.”

  “Don’t worry about that,” Alex said, and Ed nodded over the hood of the SUV before disappearing into the house, leaving the door wide open. Alex turned around to face Todd.

  “I’m sure you have a few ideas swimming around in your head, and I can assure you that none of them are healthy for you right now.”

  Todd appeared to be breathing more easily, sitting with his back against a large green plastic bin stored under the workbench. Several tools lay in disarray on top of the workbench, knocked loose from their places on the pegboard behind the bench. Alex eyed a few of the tools warily, especially the hammer and a two-foot-long metal ruler.

  Several minutes passed in complete silence between Alex and Todd, punctuated only by the occasional sound of rummaging in the house or sudden sheets of rain slamming into the sides of the garage. Todd finally stood up and dusted himself off, still glaring at him. Alex may have appeared relaxed and aloof to Todd, but inside, he was anything but calm. Until Todd moved away from the potential weapons on the workbench, Alex would keep his mind and body on high alert. As Todd beamed hatred at him, Alex struggled to keep his breathing under control.

  Todd moved away from the workbench, never looking at it, and resumed his original position near the center of the garage. Alex stepped over to the bench, leaning his back against the same edge that had taken Todd to the floor, effectively blocking Todd’s view of the hammer and metal ruler.

  “I have everything. Let’s go,” Eric said, holding a large pink nylon duffel bag.

  “Are either of the girls sick yet?” Alex asked.

  “Why would you care?” said Eric.

  “Yeah, what a jerk,” Todd added.

  “You two still don’t get it, do you?” Alex sighed.

  “Get what?” Todd said, as they both moved to the garage door.

  “That their dad died from the Jakarta flu and their mother is in the ICU. That the two of them are very likely infected,” Alex warned.

  “They’re fine. We’ve been watching them off and on all week, and even the Bartletts said they’ve been symptom free. Hey, someone has to take care of them. Certainly isn’t going to be one of you two morons,” Eric said, grinning at his own jab.

  “Losers,” Todd muttered.

  “Shut up, Todd. Hey, are you still planning to take your turn watching the kids, or will you take a pass now that your free buffet ticket’s been revoked?” Alex asked, watching Eric closely for a reaction.

  Eric looked to Todd for a response. Todd opened the door, letting in a wave of rain that poured into the garage, soaking the floor and the end of the workbench closest to the door.

  “I’m done here,” Todd insisted.

  “Good luck, Eric. Looks like the Good Samaritan is even more full of it than you,” Alex yelled.

  Eric looked torn, almost confused, as if the possibility of being stuck with Jamie’s kids indefinitely had never crossed his mind. Ed stepped around the front of the SUV on the o
ther side of the garage, pulling a medium-sized red suitcase with one hand and holding two stuffed plastic Target bags in the other. Everyone focused their attention on Ed.

  “Eric, I’ll drop this off a little later. The suitcase is for the girls. One of these bags is for you and your family, to offset any food you’ve shared with the girls, and the other is for the Bartletts. How long have they been at your house?” Ed asked.

  “Since yesterday morning,” Eric replied.

  “Well, this might be a lot for just one day, but I know Jamie really appreciates what you’re doing,” Ed said.

  Eric nodded his head in what might be his first genuine non-hostile act of the morning.

  Todd didn’t look nearly so defused. “What do I get if I take the kids?” he asked greedily.

  “A good neighbor ribbon,” Alex interjected.

  “Alex,” Ed warned, giving him the “take it easy” look.

  “Jamie’s kids aren’t going to be passed around the neighborhood for a food dowry,” Alex grumbled.

  “Don’t worry about him. We’ll figure it out,” Eric said, pushing Todd through the door.

  The two of them disappeared into the rain, and Alex saw them both pass quickly by the garage’s side window. Ed lowered the bags to the concrete, ran over to the door to close it, then turned around to face Alex.

  “You really need to dial it back a few notches,” he cautioned.

  “I know. I’m sorry about that. I didn’t expect Todd to lose it that easily.”

  “Well, he doesn’t seem very stable, so I’d avoid sending him the wrong signals. Especially when I’m around, please. Anyway, I think this should be enough for them, at least for a week or so,” Ed said, tilting the bulging suitcase.

  “What does their food supply look like?” Alex asked, picking up the two plastic bags.

  “All right, I guess. I really can’t tell how many weeks, but it seems like a reasonable amount. Maybe I’m setting them up for problems with this suitcase,” Ed said, putting his face in his hands.

  “Let Eric know that he should integrate the food into the house’s daily meals, and that the suitcase doesn’t represent a restriction. More like an adjustment for two more people. If they run out and he’s still watching the kids, you can refill the suitcase. I think he’ll understand the food idea.