by Jeff Elkins
“That’d be great,” Moe said, after swallowing a bite from her burger. She took a drink and then continued. “The second case is a little girl named Sarah. Her parents were murdered in a break-in.”
Baba shook his head with frustration and asked, “Joe put you on that?”
“You talk to Joe?” Moe said with surprise. She knew Baba had a standing meal with Robert, but she thought his contact with her brothers ended there.
Baba took a long drag of his cigar. Moe could tell he was thinking over what and how much to tell her. He sighed and leaned forward. “The girl’s parents weren’t murdered. Not both of them anyway. The mother was found dead. The father is the primary suspect. He’s missing.” Baba let his head fall forward, knowing the circumstances of the case would have an impact on Moe.
Moe could feel a knot in her throat. She didn’t know what to say. She looked down at her rainbow shoelaces, hoping their bright colors would distract her from the emotions building in her chest, but her trick didn’t work. She swallowed and took a deep breath.
“I’m sorry. What’s going on? That seems to be more important than just a detail of the case,” Stacie said softly.
“My dad was found murdered and my mom is missing,” Moe said. She knew if she looked up, she’d begin to cry.
“Oh, Moe. I didn’t know. I’m so sorry,” Stacie said, rubbing her friend’s back.
“I told Joe to keep you out of it,” Baba said, angrily.
Moe took another deep breath. She took one last look at her shoes and then, closed her eyes. Looking up, she said, “No. It’s good. Maybe I can help this time. Get me what you can on the case?”
“Be careful. These cases are getting you involved with some dangerous people,” Baba said.
CHAPTER TEN
“Can we talk about what just happened?” Stacie said, as Moe parallel parked the car.
They’d spent the fifteen minute drive from Jake’s Diner in silence. Moe could tell Stacie was giving her the time she needed to get her emotions under control. “What do you mean?” she said, knowing full well what Stacie meant.
“I mean, why have you never told me about your parents?” Stacie asked.
“It never came up,” Moe said, turning the car off.
“Moe! Your dad is dead, and your mom is missing? This is a big deal. It’s got to weigh on you every day.” Stacie’s voice was a mix of hurt and concern. Moe could tell her friend felt betrayed.
Moe sighed. “I don’t really want to talk about it, but I also don’t want you worrying about me because I’m fine, so you get three questions.”
“Okay,” Stacie said, thinking. “How did your father die?”
“He was shot in the head. Execution style,” Moe said. Then, taking another deep breath, she added, “My mom is the primary suspect.”
“Whoa,” Stacie said.
“Yeah,” Moe replied.
“Okay, question two. Did she do it?” Stacie asked.
“No way. My parents were the perfect couple, and there’s no way my mom would hurt anyone. She wouldn’t even set out traps for the mice that dug through our garbage.” Moe chuckled at the memory of her mom setting off her dad’s traps before they caught the mice.
“Okay, last question,” Stacie said. She leaned in and took her friend’s hand. “Are you really fine? Because, you don’t seem fine.”
Moe bit her lip and looked down at her laces. She could feel the sadness welling up in her chest again. She decided it would be best if she just powered through the story. “Lance and I were away at college. It was our senior year. I was a philosophy major trying to pick a master’s program. Lance was majoring in partying and sex. It was Calvin who called us and gave us the news. We went straight home. The investigation lasted six months, and the detectives didn’t find anything. They decided it had to be mom, because she’d gone missing. We haven’t heard anything from her since then.”
“Damn! I’m so sorry,” Stacie said.
“That day changed everything, for all of us,” Moe continued, lost in the memory of it. “Baba got really angry and demanded to be put on the case, but they said it was a conflict of interest, so he quit. Lance and I both dropped out of school. Calvin got a job as a blacksmith and started spending everyday beating on metal. Joe left his job as a shrink and became a priest, and Robert joined the FBI. We haven’t all been in the same place since dad’s funeral.”
“That’s why you are a private detective,” Stacie said, putting the pieces together. “You want to solve your mom’s case.”
“Something like that. At least, that’s how this all started,” Moe said.
“I’m here for you. Whatever you need,” Stacie said, squeezing her hand.
“I know. Thank you,” Moe said, looking up from her shoes.
“So, I get to meet another hot brother now?” Stacie asked, trying to lighten the mood.
“Gross,” Moe said, as she pushed open the door to the car and called Bosley to follow her. Moe waited as Bosley sniffed his third light poll. “You know, if I hadn’t of brought you out today, you’d just be sitting inside holding it. All of the sudden, you have to pee every time we stop?”
Stacie laughed. “He’s got you trained.”
Bosley finished relieving himself and began to scratch himself with his back leg.
“Back in the car,” Moe said, as she yanked his leash and guided him back to the car and into the back seat. “Next stop, we’re taking you home,” she said, as she slammed the back door shut. She and Stacie walked up the five marble steps and arrived at the large double doors of the building, Moe pulled on the handle and, unsurprisingly to Moe, the door swung open.
The stone building had been around since the early 1800s, originally built by its founding German-speaking immigrant congregation. The Sunday service didn’t switch to English until the 1960s, long after the waves of German immigrants had died down. The congregation almost disappeared in the 1980s, as slicker churches that looked more like movie theaters and rock concert venues found their way to Baltimore. The church’s chapel sat close to 800, although, it hadn’t seen crowds of that size in decades. It wasn’t until Joe took over the parish seven years ago, that it began to grow again. Joe had found success in building a community, by focusing less on the elements of the mass and more on caring for the decaying neighborhood around him. The church ran a popular food pantry, provided rooms for homeless women who needed to get off the streets, gave job training and parenting courses for free, and hosted free health care clinics once a month, where people could get checked out by volunteer physicians.
As they entered the building, Stacie marveled at the chapel. The vaulted ceiling seemed much bigger on the inside. Light filled the room through stain glass windows that depicted the Stations of the Cross. The old pews were in two columns. About half of them were covered by worn maroon cushions. The other half were bare. At the front of the room was a platform with a simple wooden pulpit, front and center. “This is beautiful,” Stacie said.
“Yeah. It’s really peaceful. Whenever I get sad or lonely, I always come to see Joe. He makes everything better,” Moe said, as she took a seat in one of the pews.
Stacie took the seat next to her. “So, you, also, didn’t tell me you were Catholic,” Stacie said.
“Me? I’m not. We grew up Baptist. Joe went Catholic after mom died. Said he liked the uniform,” Moe said, as she gazed up at the ceiling. She turned at the sound of a door opening to their right.
Her brother, a mountain of a man dressed in all black, except for the small white collar, stepped into the room. His eyes widened at the sight of his sister. “Baby girl,” he said. His voice warmed the room.
Moe couldn’t contain her excitement to see him. Leaping up from her seat, she ran across the room to him. Joe wrapped his giant arms around her, lifted her off the ground, and spun her around just like he used to do when they were kids. A giggle escaped Moe’s throat as he swung her.
Placing her back down on the ground, Jo
e gave her one last squeeze and said, “I’d hoped you be coming over soon.” He motioned to the pew nearest them, and they both took a seat.
Trying not to interrupt the reunion, Stacie crossed the room and took a seat behind Moe.
“This is my partner, Stacie Howe,” Moe said, motioning to her friend.
“Baba told me you were working with a celebrity,” Joe said, shaking Stacie’s hand.
“Nice to meet you, Father,” Stacie said.
“You can just call me Joe,” he replied.
“We just left Baba. He said he doesn’t see you often,” Moe said.
“Please,” Joe said, waving off the idea. “He comes to mass every Friday night. Sits in the back and pouts. Says he has issues with God, but he wants to make sure I’m okay.”
“So, what can you tell me about Sarah,” Moe said.
“Nothing,” Joe said. “Elias called me and asked if I could help the girl remember things. I told him that wasn’t my thing, but that I might know someone. He gave me the basics about what happened to her, but if you’ve been out to meet her then you know more than I do.”
Moe wasn’t sure why, but she had a need to state the obvious. It was as if the words needed to be spoken out loud to take their emotional power away. “The case is a lot like Mom’s and Dad’s,” she said.
Joe nodded. “That’s one of the reasons I called you. I couldn’t stand to see a little girl go through what we went through. I figured if anyone could help her hold onto the good times, it would be you.”
“I’ll keep you posted on what I find out,” Moe said.
“I’d appreciate that. And, if it gets to heavy, you know I’m always here,” he said.
“I know. But Sarah’s not the only reason I’m here. I need help finding some people. I thought you might point me in the right direction,” Moe said.
“I’m not sure what I can do,” Joe said, sitting up with interest.
“We’re looking for a group of men. Ex-military. Hometown boys. They’ve got money. Any clue how we might go about finding them?” Moe asked.
“You got a name?” Joe asked, leaning back.
“Not yet,” Moe said
“Well, once you have a name, I’d head over to Patterson Park Baptist around seven in the morning. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, guys from the American Legion make pancakes for any Vets in town. Lots of people show up. It’s the Legion’s way of catching guys coming home,” he said.
“You think our guys will be there?” Moe asked.
“No. Not if you are looking for them. I can’t imagine they are taking a break from their life of crime to serve pancakes. But, the Legion guys keep tabs on all the young Vets living in town. If you can get their names, the guys at the breakfast can probably point you in the right direction. Look for a one armed guy named Vinnie. He’s good people,” Joe said.
Moe stood. “Thank you. You’re amazing,” she said.
Joe stood and gave her another hug. “Will I see you at mass on Sunday?” he asked, after he let her go.
“Maybe?” Moe said.
“Ms. Howe, the silent partner, it was a pleasure,” Joe said.
Stacie gave a coy nod, keeping up the rouse.
“Alright, before we go you’ve got to do your thing,” Moe said, holding out her hands.
“For my baby sister? Absolutely,” Joe said.
Moe’s brother’s huge hands swallowed hers. “Close your eyes and clear your mind,” he said.
Moe laughed with excitement, closed her eyes, took a deep breath to clear her mind, and squeezed his hands.
The room was filled with the smell of baking bread and pie – her mother’s pumpkin pie. Moe opened her eyes. She was standing in the corner of her family’s dining room. The long table was set for eight. White china plates, freshly polished silver, and crystal glasses covered the burgundy table cloth. To the right of the table against the wall there was a long serving bar filled with mash potatoes, gravy, stuffing, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, and various pies.
Light from the candles on the long table danced, casting a warmth on people in the room. Joe sat at the far end with Calvin. They teased each other about who would win the football game later that day and how their favorite players would perform. Baba and Lance sat on the opposite side, the older man talking as the young one listened and laughed. Stacie was there too, standing next to Moe. She smiled at Moe and took a seat next to Lance. Sipping from a glass, she began listening to Baba as well.
There was a stirring from the kitchen as Robert appeared in the doorway carrying a beautifully prepared turkey. “Time to eat,” he said, as he placed the bird on the end of the bar. Everyone seated at the table grabbed a plate and moved to the serving bar, talking and laughing as they went.
Moe’s heart felt so full she thought it might burst, but then a voice came from behind her. It was gentle and strong, comforting and piercing, soft and embracing. “Go and get a plate, baby girl. Before your brothers eat everything.” Tears filled Moe’s eyes and a knot caught in her throat. She turned to see her mother standing next to her. Wrapping her arms around her mom, Moe said, “I miss you so much.”
When she opened her eyes, Moe was crying and laughing. Her voice echoed through the empty chapel. She squeezed Joe’s hands and said, “Thanks.”
“Anytime. Your dream is one of my favorites,” he said.
“Wait. What just happened?’ Stacie asked, standing beside the pew.
Moe realized she’d gotten so excited about experiencing Joe’s gift, she’d forgotten to explain it to her friend.
“Like Moe, I’ve got a special gift,” Joe said.
“I’m sorry. I should have explained,” Moe said.
“Do you pass memories to people, too?” Stacie said.
“No. Trading memories is Moe’s thing. My gift is letting you live a few seconds of life as if all your deepest desires were fulfilled,” Joe said.
“It’s amazing,” Moe said, unable to stop the huge grin on her face.
“For some people, it’s amazing. For others, it can be disappointing. It depends on what it is that you desire,” Joe said.
“What’d you see?” Stacie asked Moe.
“Nope,” Joe said, putting his hand up. “I have a strict rule. No one gets to see anyone else’s desires. It’s too personal.”
“It’s not a big deal. She can probably guess it,” Moe said.
“Your whole family together?” Stacie guessed.
“At Thanksgiving dinner,” Moe said. “And don’t worry, you were there too.”
“I have rules for reasons,” Joe said.
“Do me,” Stacie said.
Joe held out his hands. “A warning. Like I said, for some people it can be disappointing. Getting everything they desire could be the worst thing in the world. Once you see it, I can’t take it back. Are you sure you want to see it?” he asked.
“Oh, hell yeah,” Stacie said, moving across the aisle to Joe. She grabbed his hands and closed her eyes. “Hit me,” she said.
Joe laughed. “Okay, clear your mind.”
Moe watched as an expression of joy came across Stacie’s face, as she gripped Joe’s hands tightly. The whole interaction took only a few seconds. Opening her eyes, Stacie said, “Wow. That was amazing.”
Joe took a step back and shook his head. “You’re welcome,” he said in a confused voice.
“Yeah, I’m going to need all of that to come true,” Stacie said.
“What’d you see?” Moe asked.
“It’s a lot like yours. Big party. You’re there. But, with a lot more booze,” Stacie said.
“And shirtless men. And a guy tied up in the corner,” Joe said, rubbing his head.
“Hey! What about your rules?” Stacie griped playfully. Moe could tell by the way Stacie had stomped her foot that she didn’t actually care.
“You already broke them,” Joe said with a sigh.
“Who are you tying up in the corner?” Moe asked.
�
�Wouldn’t you like to know?” Stacie said with a mischievous grin.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
As she walked through the front door, Moe was again attacked by the smell of disinfectant. Fighting to remember the smell of her mother’s pumpkin pies, she pushed through the wave and kept moving. Following the same path she’d taken last time, she made her way through the white halls.
“Ms. Watkins. I’m very happy to see you,” Doctor Elias said with a grin, as he turned the corner and almost ran into her.
“Thanks for letting me come back,” Moe said.
“Thanks for coming back. It’s been a big day. I can tell that Sarah’s been waiting for you,” he said, motioning down the hallway toward Sarah’s room.
Walking next to him, Moe asked, “Did she talk today?”
“No, but there were changes. She played a little when we took her outside. There is a small grassy hill behind this building. We were on a walk together, and she ran up and down it. She even laughed a little,” Doctor Elias said.
“Laughter? That’s huge,” Moe said with a celebratory smile.
“I thought so too, which is why I’m happy you’re back today,” Doctor Elias said.
Moe stepped into Sarah’s room to find the young girl laying on the floor, coloring on white paper with an orange crayon. Sitting down next to her on the floor, Moe asked, “What are you drawing?”
Sarah showed Moe the jack-o-lantern on the page. It had triangle eyes and a big smile.
“That’s great. You’re a good artist,” Moe said.
Sarah grinned. Putting down the crayon and standing, she moved to the bed and sat down. Looking at Moe, the young girl patted the space next to her.
“No small talk, huh? You just want to jump right into it?” Moe said with playful disinterest.
The girl smiled.
Moe stood, walked to the bed, and sat down. “Do you have something picked out you want to remember?” she asked.
The young girl nodded, held out her hands, and closed her eyes.
