Evil in Hockley

by William Buckel

“Makes sense.”

  Harry emptied the trunk while Sandy vacuumed the car. He opened windows to air out the house. It was noon so they all went to Orangeville for a meal; to Kelsey’s for a feast. On the way home he stopped at the LCBO for a couple of litre bottles of rum. Then he stopped for a case of cola for mixers. Tonight was to be a night of celebration for the success of their journey. Shelley was healed and tomorrow she’d be taken into the hospital for an examination to determine if her sight could be restored.

  It was a wild night. Harry wondered how he’d survived it. Sandy kept wanting to take off her clothes. She wanted to show Harry she had breasts equal to Karma’s. They both finally stripped and asked Harry to decide who had the nicest bosoms. Harry told them it was a tie but they wouldn’t accept that ruling.

  Finally Shelley stripped as well and entered the contest. Harry finally told them that Shelley had the nicest nipples, Sandy the best all around shape, and Karma had the largest set. They were content with his final ruling then celebrated and toasted each other’s victories.

  The following morning Harry vibrated like a plucked guitar string. He went for a bath but Karma was already in the tub. Shelley sat on the toilette, head in her hands. He made his way to the downstairs toilette and when he went to pull down his zipper found he wasn’t wearing a thing. He wondered what had happened the night before but couldn’t remember anything after the breast contest.

  It took all of them until noon to bathe and get dressed. They walked to the local donut shop for breakfast which turned out to be lunch. They didn’t serve breakfast after twelve noon. After the meal stayed down they decided it was time to take Shelley in to the hospital.

  Harry showed the duty nurse Shelley’s health card and helped with the forms. He made up a story about an accident she had in New Orleans. They couldn’t drive home immediately because she contracted blood poisoning. The doctor who examined her was suspicious and asked Harry and Karma more questions. Her eyes were too precisely damaged he said. He looked at the scars on her hands: Identical on both. Harry didn’t attempt an explanation knowing he’d look guilty of something if he did. He showed the doctor Shelley’s stamped passport. The doctor finally concluded it was something that had happened in another country and could not be investigated here.

  Tests would have to be run so Shelley was given a room. The nurses had to physically push Karma and Sandy out of Shelley’s room.

  “We’ll visit everyday,” said Sandy.

  “We’ll bring flowers,” said Karma.

  Harry drove because Sandy was in tears all the way home.

  Harry checked out his Hemi Cuda then cranked it over. It started on the third turn after sitting idle for over a week. He drove to Bloor street in Toronto and after searching for an hour found a parking spot. His destination was Stafford Rendal, a research firm where Jarrod had worked until his death. At office security he showed his ID and gave the guard the name of Jarrod’s former boss, Gary Underhill. Gary appeared in minutes and invited Harry to his office.

  “I’m sorry about Jarrod. He was a good man and an irreplaceable worker. I had to hire two full timers to do work Jarrod did in a twenty hour week. He was salaried of course so was paid whether he worked or not. I know you didn’t come here for condolences. What can I do for you?”

  “I need to know if Jarrod had any close friends that I could talk to. About his personal life. There are questions I need answers to.”

  “I don’t mean to pry, but in regards to what? If I knew what you needed then maybe I could help.”

  “There are some of us who don’t believe he had an accident, that he was killed.”

  “Wow, the police don’t support that theory.”

  “I know, let’s just say it’s a strong hunch and I’d like to check it out.”

  “All right. If he was killed then that needs to be dealt with. Brian Laciter was a close friend but even closer was Barbara Helms. They dated until two years ago but often lunched together. Brian would know guy things like Rock Concert outings and Barbara might know his inner thoughts. She might talk to you about personal things in his life.”

  “Could I talk to Brian first.”

  “Sure you can use our conference room. There are no meetings scheduled for today.”

  Harry shook hands with Brian five minutes later. He explained that although he had no evidence he believed Jarrod was murdered. He made that statement to judge a response.

  “Oh no, Jarrod was as good as they get. He’d never do anything to piss anyone off unless he was just kidding with friends. When we went to concerts he always doled out change for street people. Even talked to them. He had the patience of an oyster.”

  “I have information he was dating someone weeks before he was killed.”

  “Not that I know of but then he wasn’t the kiss and tell type. He used to date Barb and none of us knew for months. He’d never brag about scoring with a chick like guys do.”

  Brian knew Jarrod as well as one guy ever knows another. It was a dead end but Harry was gratified to learn his brother had such good friends.

  Barbara Helms was quiet and reserved just the type of woman he imagined Jarrod would date.

  “Jarrod was the sweetest guy I ever met. Sorry for your loss. He was a great loss to me and I’m sure others in the office feel the same way.”

  “Some of us in his home town believe he was murdered.”

  “Oh no. Who would do that?”

  “I have an idea but no proof. I was told he was seeing a woman for weeks before his death. Do you know anything about that?”

  Barbara sat as though trying to decide how to answer his question.

  “It’s important Barbara. The police aren’t investigating. I need your help.”

  Finally she shrugged and said,

  “We used to be a couple, Jarrod and I, but he wasn’t ready to settle down and I was. So like an idiot I gave him a final ultimatum. He said he could never fulfil his end of a full time relationship at this time, so we parted. But we remained close friends. I’m telling you this so you won’t think I had anything to do with his death. I could never…”

  She grabbed a handkerchief from her purse and held it in front of her mouth.

  “No, Barbara. I know you had nothing to do with his death.”

  She dabbed her eyes then continued,

  “I know he was seeing someone. Not that he said so but his behaviour changed. It wasn’t a happy relationship. He was almost sad at times which was not like him. One day he asked me what I thought about drug addiction. He asked whether I would supply someone with drugs. I told him no. There was no sense two people getting in trouble over the addiction of one. I told him I’d offer clinical help if it was a friend. I assumed his new found friend or love was a user.”

  “Did he ask anything else?”

  “No he just thanked me.”

  “When did this conversation take place? How long before his death?”

  “About three weeks.”

  “Do you remember anything else. Even a minor point or an opinion.”

  “He finished his appointments and was out of here like a shot on Friday afternoons. Always said he was headed north. I assumed his new interest lay in that direction.”

  “No idea where?”

  “No, other than north. Wait, he mentioned his home village, Mono Mills, a couple of times. Whoever it was must have lived near. I mean he never mentioned Collingwood or anyplace like that. Our conversations were usually about things in general like work, politics, or how fat a new movie star became. He was into movies and Rock concerts and so was I.”

  Harry thanked Barbara then found his car and drove home. She’d confirmed that Jarrod was seeing a user, nothing more. He was still nowhere.

  Shelley was already home and sadness filled the old house. Karma pulled Harry aside and said,

  “They were quick to come to the conclusion Shelley will never see again.”

  “No chance at all?”

  “They said if t
echnology changes and they can do a complete eye transplant in the future, not today.”

  Harry was developing tunnel vision and saw only Joe Sharky in the sights of his Beretta.

  Chapter 34

  That night in a dream Harry saw Delphi Crow, a know it all old woman in Hockley Village. Delphi really did know it all: everyone’s business from Caledon East to Collingwood, south to north, and Alliston to Orangeville, east to west.

  He decided he’d see her today. Delphi wasn’t hard to find; she walked from one house to another gathering information about anything and everyone. Harry caught her in Jim parker’s front yard, an old friend of his father’s. he talked to both for sometime then Jim’s wife called him in the house for lunch.

  Harry said,

  “I’ll buy you lunch at the general store.”

  “You asking me out on a date?”

  “What else?”

  “George will be furious, me and another man. Good. Let them all talk.”

  They sat at a picnic table outside and ate their sandwich. Delphi could only eat soft foods due to her fragile dentures.

  “Know anything about Jarrod’s death?”

  “Only that he died.”

  “Anything about the weeks before?”

  “He was still seeing Shelley. But he didn’t spend much time there. Folks saw him in Shelburne more often than at Joe’s place.”

  “He had friends in Shelburne.”

  “None that claimed to see him much. I mean he was there twice a week yet he wasn’t at anybodies place I know of.”

  “Surely someone must have seen his bike or car somewhere.”

  “Nope. Like I said no one I know of. They saw him pass by is all.”

  “Know anything about Joe Sharky?”

  “Books full. I can write one of them trilogies on him.”

  “Anything new?”

  “Well if you’re asking around the time Jarrod was killed Joe was expanding at the time. Word has it he was looking for new dealers to expand. Found some too, I heard.”

  “Anyone I know?”

  “No names. Just that for a while strange faces were in and out.”

  Harry almost fell off the bench. Shelley saw one of those strange faces and could identify him.

  “Anything else you know of, Delphi.”

  “Nothing you don’t already know about. Shelley and Karma are gone but then I hear they’re staying at your place with you and Sandy. Joe don’t like you much. Won’t say no more about that. You can handle yourself, always could.”

  “Thanks Delphi. I got to run.”

  “Bye Harry, thanks for the meal and the talk.”

  Harry left wondering who Jarrod was seeing in Shelburne and who Shelley had seen at Joe’s place.

  When he got home he saw that Sandy’s Chrysler was gone. He went inside and found a note on the counter: all three women had gone shopping in Orangeville. There was still a half litre of rum in the cupboard so he mixed a shot with some cola. He’d have gone to Shelburne and checked with his and Jarrod’s friends verifying what Delphi had told him. That would be a foolish waste of time as she would have triple checked every statement she heard. She would want to know who Jarrod was seeing and if she couldn’t determine that with her one million contacts on the street and on Facebook then what chance would he have?

  He sipped at his rum and cola wondering what his next move would be when his cell buzzed. It was Sandy’s caller ID.

  “Hi Sandy, what’s up?”

  She was crying.

  “Shelley’s been hit. Karma and I are in Emergency.”

  “Hit? How? Where?”

  “Shopping plaza. She was hit by a van.”

  “Sandy, I’ll be there in ten minutes.”

  “Okay. Bring Shelley’s health card. It’s in the top drawer of your desk.”

  She was still crying when he hung up. Harry knew that to get the right story he’d have to drive there and talk to Karma. When Sandy was upset she talked in circles and she was clearly upset.

  He parked in the pay parking lot then raced to the Hospital Emergency door. He found Sandy and Karma hugging each other and two police officers nearby. When he approached Sandy rushed and hugged him.

  “She’s dead. They declared her dead, Harry.”

  Harry started to shake and his knees almost gave out. The woman had fought hard to stay alive and was now dead. He almost didn’t believe it but looking into Karma’s teary eyes he knew it was true. He felt tears running down his cheeks as well.

  Harry fought to clear his mind. He handed Sandy over to Karma. The two police officers stood near pens and notepads in hand.

  “Are you related to the deceased?”

  “No officers, just a friend.”

  They asked him a few more trivial questions probably so they’d have something to write in their report. Harry finally got to Karma.

  “What happened?”

  “We were outside the grocery store in the mall. Sandy and I took the bags to her car. We told Shelley to wait on the curb. We’d pick her up in a minute. When we got near the car we heard the roar of an engine, turned, and saw a van head straight for Shelley. The bastard went up on the curb and hit her.”

  “A man was driving?”

  “Yah, but he was too far away. If I saw him again I might recognize him. Maybe not. I don’t know Harry. And before you ask the plate number like three other cops have already done, it happened so fast neither of us had time to think much less get the plate. It was a windowless white van. That’s all we know.”

  Harry knew Joe’s men were watching and following. They must have known Sandy was in a position to talk so they killed her. For something she couldn’t remember. He walked back to the police officers and asked,

  “Any idea who the driver was?”

  They looked at each other as if deciding whether to answer or not then one said,

  “The sergeant is talking to the doctor. You’ll have to ask him.”

  The sergeant finally approached and the officers introduced Harry. They told him Shelley was staying at his house.

  “He wants to know if we have any idea who the driver was.”

  The police sergeant said,

  “We’re not releasing any names but he’s a man known to us. We caught him impaired twice in the past. He has a good lawyer so he’s still driving but after this not for long. The van was parked in his garage with the victim’s clothing and blood on the right fender. We’ll be charging him with vehicular homicide and half a dozen lesser charges. One will stand up, mark my word. A pretty young girl like that.”

  He shook his head.

  Harry asked,

  “When will you release his name?”

  “As soon as he’s charged.”

  “Can you call me and let me know. Maybe there’s another connection. An old boyfriend or an acquaintance with a grudge. One of my friends might know. The officers have my cell number.”

  “That can be arranged and if you have anything to add please let us know immediately. We don’t want this guy getting out on bail if there are further charges to be laid.”

  Harry asked Karma,

  “Can you drive Sandy home? Are you okay enough for that? I can make two trips if you’re not.”

  “I’m alright Harry. I can drive. It’s only ten minutes away.”

  Harry drove to the LCBO on Broadway and bought a litre of rum then to the drug store and picked up more cola and pain killers. Sandy would be better off drunk tonight. Being intoxicated doesn’t resolve problems: they’re waiting when you get sober but she would be better off dealing with this tomorrow after the impact mellowed. He knew that Sandy would have rushed to help Shelley and she’d seen first hand the trauma steel on flesh would cause.

  That evening was like a wake, “Do you remember when,” theme. Harry was amazed at how close the three women became, Sandy and Karma united in a quest to save Shelley. And then Shelley hampered by blindness tried to be their equal. Harry had a drink but he was waiting
for a phone call and a name. After six in the evening he downed three rum and colas in a few minutes. He’d had enough of the day.

  Chapter 35

  The name Harry was given by the police was “Kyle Perry.” It had already been released to the press.

  “Ever hear the name Kyle Perry, Karma?”

  “No, not that I can remember.”

  “Sandy?”

  She was still hung over and not quite thinking clearly but after a minute said,

  “Nothing here.”

  “I’ve go to go see somebody.”

  Harry drove to Hockley village and searched for Delphi Crow. He finally found her in a neighbour’s yard. As soon as she spotted him she said goodbye and they went to the picnic tables in back of the general store.

  “The name Kyle Perry. Know him?”

  “Oh yah, a loser with a capital “L”. He did contract work for Joe Sharky. Not like killer contract, but outside maintenance. A boozer and a loser, I call him.”

  A tie in to organized crime but then the police would know. The problem was proving Sharky ordered a hit. The way Harry saw it Perry was already up for two drunk driving charges. He probably needed money for lawyers so Joe approached him and pledged his support. That is if he did Joe a favour.

  It would be difficult to prove vehicular homicide if they couldn’t prove intent. Perry’s lawyers would argue that he was driving carelessly while under the influence. They’d claim it was an accident with no more criminal intent than if a seventy-five year old woman got behind the wheel, had a sneezing fit and killed a pedestrian. The lawyers would claim Perry was an addict and should be placed in a rehab program, not in jail.

  Harry had seen too much of that crap so he joined the forces where he felt he could do some good. He was shielded from the daily bias of the law and order machine. The military had its own form of justice based on simpler principles.

  “You still with us Harry?”

  “Yah, Delphi, I’m still here. Just thinking what a crappy world we live in. You heard about Shelley’s hit and run?”

  “Yes I did, poor girl, blind and all. She wouldn’t have seen it coming.”