by Leona Fox
“It's just about Andy, the police chief. I'm playing him in a movie, you see, so I'm asking people about their impressions of him so I can make sure I have an accurate portrayal. What do you think of him? Have you ever met him or spoken with him?”
“No, can't say that I have. Obviously, I know who he is and I've heard about some of the crimes. Word spreads pretty fast around these parts, even around here, but we're pretty far removed from the rest of the town. So we only usually hear about things when we go and make deliveries or buy supplies. Never had the opportunity to meet the man myself. It's just me and Pa out here, y'know. We don't have much cause for calling the police and they don't have any reason to come out here.”
Paul nodded and took an admiring look around the farm, breathing in the rustic smells of the country before he thanked Ryan and went on his way. As he got in his car he broke off a chunk of cheese and chewed it as he drove, thinking about Andy. So far everyone only had high praise for the man and Paul was interested to see Andy in action.
Meanwhile, Ellen and Andy were together trying to work through the case. So far there had been little in the way of progress as there had not been any clues at the crime scene. So they began by trying to figure out a motive. The immediate theory that came to mind was one of spite, but they could not think of anyone who would want to do that to so many residents of the town. It was a large undertaking simply to annoy people, and of all the miserly residents of the town that they could think of, none of them really sprang to mind. They went and asked them questions anyway, but all of them had an alibi or some other reason why they wouldn't have been able to commit the crimes. For example, Mr. Bollings never had a kind word to say about anyone and always was grumbling about something or other, but he had a stooped back and bad knees. So there was no way he could have bent down and siphoned off the gas in all of those cars.
“You think your brother ever will write a book with a crime like this?” Ellen asked. Andy chuckled.
“No way, he's all about the murders and the drug rings. I'm glad to be away from all the darkness. It saps your life, consumes you. I much prefer it out here. Although, well, no, better not get into that,” he said, looking distracted.
“Into what?”
“Just that I know really bad crimes are being committed and sometimes I feel as though I should be back in the city, fighting that. But it's one thing that's never going to end. There's always going to be crime.”
“And there always are going to be good people who like fighting it.”
“And people like you,” he said, smiling.
Then he leaned in and gave her a kiss. He looked at her for a few moments in a way that made her feel self-conscious.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“I was just wondering, you know, if they made a movie of this instead, who would play you?”
“Oh, gosh, I don't know. Maybe Meryl Streep? I don't know any actors these days. I'm so out of touch! I have to say though; I don't envy Paul at all. It must be so stressful always to be bothered by people wherever you go. I can't imagine he ever gets any rest. It's bad enough here, but I can't believe what it must be like in an actual city where he's a household name.”
“Did you never dream of being a celebrity when you were younger?”
“Of course, didn't we all? But I think it's one of those things where the idea of it is far more attractive than the reality. I'm sure all the money and luxury must offset the stress but I don't think I could deal with that and I'd prefer to keep my life the way it is. But, to be honest, I dreamed about many things when I was younger and they never came to pass.”
“Like what?”
“Oh, just silly things, like I wanted to be a princess. Then after I saw Mary Poppins I wanted to be a nanny. I'm sure you had the same dreams?”
“No, I always wanted to be a cop. Ever since I can remember it was the one thing I wanted to do, just to fight crime and make the world a better place.”
“How could you know something with that much certainty from such a young age?”
“Well, I have to be honest with you...it was all due to Batman. I wanted to be him when I was younger. Then, obviously, that wasn't going to happen. So I did the next best thing and became a cop.”
“And here we are now.”
“Here we are.”
“It's funny to think, really, that all those decisions we made all those years ago provided the foundation for the rest of our lives. They set us on the path to what we are now, and we had no idea what would happen at the time.”
“And who knows what might happen next?” Andy said, and with that they continued thinking about the case.
Chapter 4
Kelly was sitting morosely in her apartment, staring at a blank canvas, holding a paintbrush loosely in her hand. Her mind was awash with thoughts and yet there was no focus to it at all, and she was unable to form an image in her mind. It was as though she was in a trance, and then suddenly it was broken by a knock at the door. She walked down and opened it to find Matthew standing there. They hadn't spoken since their last conversation, when she had walked out on him and their relationship had been left in tatters. Ever since then Kelly barely had stopped crying and the pain in her soul had made her entire body ache. From the look of it Matthew had been suffering from a similar plight.
“Hello,” she said, awkwardly looking away from him.
“Hey, I'm sorry I didn't call I just...I just wanted to see you and hoped we could talk about some things?”
“I don't know if it's going to do any good. I said all I have to say...”
“I know, I just, I really want just to spend some time with you. It's been hard the past few days. I feel like I should apologize because I got angry the other night and I don't want that to be the way we leave things.” He had an earnest look on his face and after a moment of consideration Kelly opened the door and allowed him in.
“Did you hear about the gas bandit?” Kelly said, trying to make idle small talk to avoid the bigger issues.
“I did, indeed. It's terrible, isn't it? I can't imagine why anyone would do something like that, especially outside a fundraiser.”
“I'm surprised you weren't there.”
“I figured you'd probably be there and I didn't want to make it awkward.” Silence descended upon them.
Both of them had many things to say and yet knew not what to talk about but, soon enough, there was another knock at the door. Kelly opened it to find Paul standing there. He introduced himself to Matthew and came in, then asked each of them about Andy.
“You're better off talking to her because she's close with them. As for me, I've only had good experiences with him. He's a good sort, and he takes his job seriously which, if you ask me, is exactly what you want from a police officer,” Matthew said.
Kelly had much more to say, praising Andy's work ethic and the way he went about solving crimes. “But, if you ask me, he wouldn't be as successful if it wasn't for Ellen, and I hope you realize the important part she plays in keeping the town safe. Of course, I'm a little biased because she's my best friend, but it's important to recognize her as well I think.”
“I actually have heard a lot about her and their partnership. Have they been working together a long time or was it just since they've been in a relationship?”
“Oh, far longer than that. Don't even get me started on those two. They, well, they take their sweet time about things, that's all I'll say.”
Paul scribbled a few things down in his notebook and then noticed the artwork around. After he complimented her on it, Kelly took him on a little tour. As she described a few things he asked more pointed questions about Ellen, which Kelly answered, thinking nothing of it. After Paul had seen everything Kelly had been working on he said he would be interested in buying at least one painting, possibly more, as he wanted a memento of his time in East Pender. He said he would be in contact with his details. He bid them both farewell, and then Kelly returned to Matth
ew.
“Well, that's something. Now I can say I've had a movie star in my apartment,” she said lightheartedly, but there was no sense of joy on Matthew's face.
He had a grim, stony look, and when Kelly turned to face him her mood darkened as well. The weight of their fractured love hung heavily around them like a mist. It poisoned them, and made it difficult for them to be in the same room with each other.
“It always feels like there's more to say,” he began, “but I wanted you to know that I was really hurt by the way you ended things. I hate second guessing myself and I don't think I should have to do that when I'm with someone. It should feel natural and come easily. I'm getting older now and I don't want anything casual. I want to settle down again, especially when I feel things for you that are so strong...and I know you feel the same way, too. I just can't understand why you keep holding things back from me. I get that it's scary to take this leap but surely the risk is worth it? Unless I've been mistaken this whole time and I've completely misinterpreted the way things have been between us?”
“Matthew,” she started, but he quickly interrupted her.
“Please, let me finish. I spent a long time rehearsing this in my head and I want to get it all out before things get all confused again,” he said, and took a deep breath.
“My marriage changed my perspective on things. When it ended I realized I had wasted so much time trying to make it work when I knew it was doomed to failure a long time before it ended. That was hard because I thought it was going to last forever. Then I was alone again and I honestly didn't know if I would meet anyone else that I felt strongly about, but in that failure at least I worked out what I did and didn't want from a relationship. One of those things is complete honesty and openness. I know you're holding something back, for whatever reason. I really want this to work because I don't think I'm ever going to find anyone like you ever again, but I need you to be open with me. I'll give you some time to think about it and I hope we can work this out but that's where I'm coming from.”
“I understand how you feel,” Kelly said, “I'd really like this to work as well I'm just...I'm not sure I'm able to give you what you want.”
“You are if you really want to. You're in control of your life and your choices, Kelly. I just hope you choose the one that's going to be best for you,” he said.
With that, he spun on his heels and left Kelly alone with her thoughts. As soon as the door had shut Kelly yelled in frustration, not at Matthew, but at herself. The secret she held within was torturing her and would not let her rest. It was eating away at her soul but she felt completely powerless against its hold. The secret had been a part of her for so long that she did not know how to reveal it to someone else. She always had known this day would come. Ever since she made that fateful decision all those years ago she knew one day it would come back to haunt her.
Matthew had been right when he said her choices shaped the path of her life, but little did he know it was a choice she made long ago that led her to this...and now it all seemed hopeless. She was sure that if she did tell Matthew the truth he would not want to be with her anyway, and if she didn't there would be the same result. It was a no-win situation and it left her feeling desolate because while she had been with Matthew she thought she actually had a chance for happiness. Yet, the dark shadow loomed over her once more and prevented her from being happy.
Looking around her empty house, she knew that she did not want to be alone. So she rushed over to Ellen's, and upon Ellen opening the door Kelly collapsed into tears. Ellen had no idea what to say or do, although it didn't take her sleuthing skills to know that it was something to do with Matthew. Kelly sobbed with her friend and was glad for the company, but even with Ellen she could not reveal the heart of the matter.
This left her feeling isolated, a feeling she had come to know all too well throughout her life. She was tired of it and wanted to be close to someone again, intimate, as she had come so close to being with Matthew. In her life she always had imagined she would end up alone, and for a long time she was fine with that. It came naturally to her, despite her being an effusive person. Behind the friendly personality and the flirting laugh was a deep sorrow borne from the knowledge that everything ended.
However, being with Matthew had made her briefly think differently. Then her own problems had come to the fore again, and where the thought of being alone had been met with a numb acceptance, it now caused a searing, raw pain to slash through her soul. She found herself unable to cope. It seemed an easy thing simply to tell the truth but the secret she had kept was so entrenched in her body she did not want to unleash it. Caught between these two things she was being pulled in both directions and her mind was a whirl. She clung onto Ellen as a child would cling to a mother, and it was a long time before the tears subsided.
Chapter 5
Since there had been no progress in the case the people of East Pender still were annoyed at the events of the night. Most of the goodwill borne from the charity fundraiser quickly had dissipated. The gas bandit had struck another time, and as much as there was a good community spirit in East Pender, sometimes the town’s residents could be fickle, especially when they were affected directly by events. One of their own had stolen from them, and so far nobody was owning up. There were notices spread around town urging the gas bandit to come forward and apologize, but there had been no responses. Andy still was being shadowed by Paul, who was asking him about the case and still seemed unimpressed there had been no progress.
“It isn't like what you've been used to, in cases like these it takes time. I can't create clues out of nothing,” he said, irritated.
It was only for Ellen that he put up with Paul because he had no desire even to know about the movie. As far as Andy was concerned his brothers' business was his own and he had no inclination to be involved with those books. Already he wished that, when his brother had asked him if it was okay to base a character on him, he had said no, but that ship long since had sailed. It had been annoying when the local book club had started reading the books and he cringed when he thought how bad it would be with the release of a movie. A cloud hung over him. Even when Paul tried to make friendly conversation Andy found himself to be scowling and difficult to talk to. He felt a little guilty, but his life would have been easier had Paul not shown up.
The afternoon was broken up by a call coming in on the radio. Andy took it himself, preferring to get out of the station rather than letting one of the officers handle it. Paul followed, of course, and expressed delight that he was going to see some real police work being done.
“I wouldn't get too excited,” Andy said, “it's just a dispute between a couple of people. I can't imagine we'll be out long.”
They drove into town and stopped outside the general store. When they entered they saw two men involved in an argument. Both were red-faced and looking like their tempers were frayed. Their voices were loud and Andy had to shout to be heard. He told them to calm down. They both turned to face him and began speaking simultaneously. Their voices boomed over each other and the words were unclear. Andy already had a headache and this was not making anything better. He held up his hands and spoke in a low voice.
“Speak one at a time and let's get this sorted out,” he said.
The men glared at each other and again went to speak at the same time. This time Andy huffed loudly and pointed at the man on the right. The two men were of different ages. One was in his 50s, with a bald head and a goatee. The other man was slightly younger and taller, with a slender frame and thinning hair. A few other people in the store were looking awkwardly at them.
“He stole the gas, I'm sure of it! But he won't admit it. Come on, just tell everyone what you did then we can put this matter behind us. Stop trying to hide behind the lies. You're not doing anyone a favor,” the older man said.
“I don't know what you're thinking but I didn't, and I don't appreciate these accusations. I've a good mind to report you for hara
ssment,” he said, and made a pointed look over at Andy. The police chief strode forward and stood in between the two of them.
“Come on guys, let's take a breath and talk about this properly. Nobody needs to be reported. I'm sure we can figure this out. Now, why do you think this man stole the gas?”
“I saw him leave the fundraiser early and now he's zooming about town like nobody's business!”
The other man rolled his eyes. “I obviously left before the gas bandit came and started stealing everything. If you're going to accuse everyone who still has gas, then good luck because you'll have to lock up most people in the town. Look, I don't know what possessed this man to steal gas but if I needed some there are far easier ways I'd go about it,” he said, folding his arms across his body.
“A-ha! So you admit you've thought about it then!” the accuser said, pointing at the other man's chest.
“Throwing around these accusations isn't going to help anyone. Trust me, we're working hard to figure out what happened but I think we all can agree that the best way to proceed is not jumping to conclusions. Can we agree to shake hands and move on from this? Obviously people are eager to find out who did it but we all need to be patient.”
Andy looked at the men in turn and they both calmed down, and eventually shook hands. Andy and Paul walked back to the car and got in.
“You handled that well, I'm impressed,” Paul said.
Andy shrugged, “Over time you get used to things like that. That stuff is easy, you just have to talk them down and let the anger pass. It's all the other stuff that takes time, actually figuring out the crime.”
“Do you have any idea who did it?”
“Not yet. These are the ones I hate because there's no evidence to point to anyone. So we're just walking around blindly, hoping we'll stumble onto something.”
“Is that different from your usual method?”
