The Devil To Pay (Hennessey.)

by Marnie Perry

  Leyton said, ‘and you shared other things too, yes?’

  Her eyebrows shot up and her face was redder than the blood stains on her hands. Leyton knew she had believed he was referring to sex, and just as Hennessey had been, Leyton was surprised that a woman could blush at all in this day and age let alone as often as she did, and about things that most women talked about openly all the time.

  He took pity on her. ‘I mean when you encountered the panther that must have been a very frightening experience.’

  She was surprised and relieved, ‘yes it was, very frightening. Frightening and wonderful.’

  ‘Wonderful?’

  ‘Yes, to see that beautiful creature so close, it was…exhilarating.’

  Again just as Hennessey had been both men were taken aback at her statement.

  Leyton said, ‘so you shared that frightening yet exhilarating experience with Mr. Hennessey.’

  ‘Yes.’ There was more than a hint of wariness in the word, she felt as though they were leading her into a trap somehow.

  Sullivan too was looking at his partner obviously perplexed. Leyton said, ‘so it follows he must have shared his own frightening experience. He must have told you what happened to him in Jackson.’

  She frowned, ‘Jackson?’

  ‘Yes, how he was carjacked and had his car stolen, along with his wallet and credit cards.’

  She was stunned, ‘he was carjacked?’

  ‘Apparently yes, or so he told the rental car company, that’s why he had to pay for the hire care with cash.’

  ‘Hire car?’

  Leyton said, ‘yes, the car he had was a rental. You didn’t know?’

  She shook her head, ‘he told me it was his, he said he didn’t like the company car they’d given him, he liked to use his own.’

  Leyton and Sullivan exchanged quick glances and Sullivan sounding disbelieving said, ‘so in all your talks about home and family and work, and even after sharing the terrifying experience with the panther, he never thought to tell you about his being carjacked.’

  She looked at him and her voice was firm as she replied, ‘that’s right, he didn’t tell me.’

  ‘I find that hard to believe.’

  She shrugged, ‘I can’t help that. But maybe he was embarrassed. Would you go around telling all and sundry, especially a woman you’ve just met that you were the victim of a crime, some men find it hard to admit they’d been victimised.’ She looked rather meaningfully at Sullivan ‘but maybe you would.’

  Sullivan sent her a hard look and Leyton once again found his lips twitching; he had to admire her stand against Sullivan who could be a hard, unrelenting prick sometimes. Before his partner could reply he said placatingly, ‘that’s a fair point, Miss Faraday. But did he use any credit cards whilst he was with you, pay for dinner, a movie, drinks, things like that.’

  She sighed, ‘yes, he paid for everything, he never let me pay.’ She was about to say except at the CC club when it had been on the house but stopped herself in time.

  Leyton asked, ‘by card.’

  ‘Yes. Perhaps he got new ones and that’s what he used.’

  Leyton said, ‘maybe, but doubtful. The credit card companies are quick but not that quick. He told the rental car company that it had just happened that day that all his cards had been stolen and that he needed a car immediately because he was on his way to Arkansas on important business the next day, the day he arrived in Mississippi.' He finished pointedly.

  ‘Arkansas?’ She knew she was parroting his words like an idiot but she was so shocked she couldn’t help it.

  ‘Yes. But not only that, he told them it had happened in Jackson, that’s where the rental car offices are, but no carjacking was reported on that day or the day before or the day after or since, no police report was filed under the name of Sterling Hennessey.’

  Adela was shocked, she didn’t understand any of this, why would he not tell her about the carjacking. Why would he tell the hire car company that he had been carjacked and all his valuables stolen and not report it to the police. Why had he said the car was his and not a rental? And why would he tell her he was going to North Carolina and the hire car company he was going to Arkansas? She opened her mouth as if a good reason might come out of its own accord; none did, because there was none.

  Leyton watched the emotions flit across her face, she had a very open, easy to read face. She was diverse in that she flitted from nervous to aggravated, from scared to confrontational, but she was shocked there was no doubt about that. She must be wondering who she had gotten herself involved with.

  He said, ‘you say he paid for everything with a credit card?’ She nodded, ‘where did he pay with the card, what restaurants, bars, movie theatre etcetera.'

  ‘The Shalimar Restaurant in Gulfport, that was on the 22nd. The ferry to Ship Island on the 23rd.’

  Leyton raised his eyebrows but said nothing, she continued, ‘at the bar he paid cash both times.’

  ‘The bar?’ This from Sullivan.’

  ‘Yes in Eden, a man called Bob runs it. We went there twice, the first time for something to eat and the second time for the karaoke.’

  Leyton was writing rapidly in his note book then looked up at her. No one spoke for at least a minute until Leyton said, ‘well, they’re dusting his hotel room for prints as we speak, so we’ll know soon enough who he is and then we can track him down and ask him why he didn’t report a serious crime,’ he gave her a speculative look, ‘or why he lied about it.’

  She picked up on one sentence in particular and whispered, ‘who he is?’

  Leyton looked at her as she digested what he’d said. She was confused and scared as well as upset to think that the man she had gotten to know might have lied to her, at the very least deceived her. His heart went out to her before he hardened it and leaning back in his seat he said, ‘just a figure of speech.’

  She felt like saying it’s not a figure of speech I’ve ever heard, but didn’t.

  Sullivan nodded at Leyton who took a card from the back of his notebook which he handed to her saying, ‘if you think of anything else that will help us to app…catch Sterling Hennessey please don’t hesitate to call, okay?’

  She nodded and took the card from his fingers.

  He closed his notebook and both men stood up. Leyton said, ‘well, we’ll let you get back to Mr. Maxwell now, Miss. Faraday. But first I think you should wash up.’

  She followed his gaze to her blood stained hands and nodded before rising to her feet. But somehow she couldn’t leave the last word about Hennessey with them so she said softly, ‘I know what he did was awful, awful and disgraceful but he was always nice to me, he treated me very well, very well indeed, he was the perfect gentleman always. He was angry with me only once and that was when I called for him to come in when he picked me up at the cabin, he said that it could have been anybody and I’d just called out “come in” with no regard for who might be knocking. He was very concerned for my welfare and my safety. As I said, the perfect gentleman.’

  They both looked at her and she could see the doubt mingled with pity in their eyes she wasn’t sure which she resented most.

  She squared her shoulders and looked each one in the eyes before turning and walking out the door leaving them nonplussed.

  When she’d gone Sullivan said, ‘so, Ellis, what do you think of our English Miss.’

  Leyton was still looking at the door through which said English Miss had walked so straight and proud a few moments before. He said, ‘I have to say I was with the sheriff when he said she was probably the cause of the fight, you know pitted one against the other, there’s nothing a woman likes more than having two men fighting over her.’

  ‘But now?’

  ‘But now having met her I don’t think she’s the type, in fact I think she’s the type who would abhor that kind of behaviour. She really liked Hennessey that was plain. And she was shocked when I told her about the carjacking and the rental car. And
she couldn’t hide the disgust she felt for him when she told us what he’d done and how he ran. And that concern for Maxwell was not feigned, I don’t believe she’s that good an actress.’

  ‘Guilt?’

  ‘Oh I believe she feels guilty, she said as much.’

  ‘But you don’t think she incited Hennessey to do what he did?’

  Leyton shrugged, ‘no, I don’t. I think she’s a nice lady who met a guy and became smitten with him. She’s single, so maybe she came here looking for a holiday romance, a little fun in foreign climes and thought she’d found it in Sterling Hennessey, only to realise her southern gentleman had feet of clay.’

  ‘And fists of steel, ‘said Sullivan wryly.

  Leyton laughed, ‘that too. I believe she told us the truth about what happened. No, it’s what she didn’t tell us that interests me. It’s obvious she’s hiding something.’

  Sullivan nodded but before he could reply a young uniformed policeman came in and said, ‘Detective Sullivan, crime scene have finished up at Hennessey’s hotel.’

  ‘And’ Sullivan said abruptly.

  ‘Been over it with a fine tooth comb, it’s empty, he’s taken everything.’

  Sullivan frowned, ‘well he must be a pretty fast mover, the sheriff was on him within ten minutes of him taking off.’

  Leyton said, ‘well he was supposed to leave tomorrow for his cousin’s wedding in North Carolina, so maybe he packed in advance.’

  ‘Did he also pay in advance?’ This to the uniformed cop.

  ‘No, sir, he left without paying, there’s one very pissed off hotel owner back there at the Horse and Hind.’

  ‘You got prints of course, unless he wore gloves the whole time he stayed there.’

  ‘Yes, sir, plenty of prints, we’re just running them now. But I’ve checked with the DMV again, and it seems that Sterling Hennessey has never had a driver's licence, at least not under that name.’

  Sullivan and Leyton stared at him then looked at each other. Sullivan nodded and said, ‘well let us know when you have the results of the fingerprints. Thanks, kid.’

  The kid nodded pleased, then turned and left.

  Sullivan turned to Leyton, ‘it seems there’s more to our Mr. Hennessey than meets the eye, identity thief, liar, fraudster and would be murderer. You think she knew?’

  Leyton shook his head, ‘no, I don’t.’

  ‘Well I’ll reserve judgement until we find Hennessey. But put somebody on her, and her cabin.’

  ‘You think she may be in danger?’

  ‘Don’t you?’

  ‘Yeah I do. If Maxwell dies she’s the only eye witness to what happened.’

  ‘Do you think she’s thought about that?’

  ‘She’s not stupid, well apart from getting herself involved with the wrong guy of course.’

  Leyton laughed, ‘I wouldn’t say too much about getting involved with the wrong people if I were you Pat, two divorces and one pending doesn’t exactly put you up there with the good judgement brigade does it?’

  Sullivan cast him a murderous glance then he too laughed, ‘point taken.’

  As they walked down the corridor to the exit they glanced in on Maxwell, he was still unconscious. Adela Faraday was sitting with his hand in hers her head bent looking tired and drained. They watched for a few minutes but she did not move. They made there way out of the hospital and back to the police station to await the results of the fingerprint analysis and to get someone to follow Adela, both for protection as well as any leads she might inadvertently give them.

  *********

  At 6.30 the next morning Dean regained consciousness, Adela called for the nurse who in turn called for the doctor. Doctor Johnston took Adela and Sheriff Taylor out of the room and pronounced Dean out of danger. He had quite severe bruising to his face but that would heal in time and of course he would need dental work to replace the missing teeth.’

  Their relief was premature because the doctor hesitated and they both looked at him. He had there was some damage to his spine where he had fallen heavily onto the bicycle, but that they would know more after they had run some tests.

  Sheriff Taylor asked what Adela dared not, ‘will the damage be permanent?’

  Doctor Johnston hesitated again, ‘it’s too soon to say but the damage is quite severe.

  Sheriff Taylor hit the wall with the side of his fist and Adela said, ‘oh no.’

  The doctor gave a little smile and said, ‘now don’t y’all get upset now, we don’t know anything yet, we can’t know anything for sure until the swelling has gone down. But he’s very fit and healthy so that always helps in these cases.’

  The sheriff asked, ‘so what’s the worst case scenario.’

  The doctor sighed, ‘worse case? He might be permanently paralysed from the waist down.’ When the sheriff swore and Adela gasped and covered her face with her hands, the doctor rushed on, ‘but as I said, that’s the worst case, and as I’ve also said it’s too soon to know anything for certain yet.’ He patted Adela’s hand and said, ‘try not to worry.’ Then his pager bleeped, he excused himself and hurried away.

  Adela informed Sheriff Taylor that she would pay for anything that was needed but the sheriff told her that would not be necessary as Dean was well insured. Adela argued gently but when Sheriff Taylor told her abruptly that it was none of her business she backed down feeling embarrassed and uncomfortable. She said, ‘but if there is anything, anything at all that he needs will you please let me know?'

  The sheriff nodded and Adela made to go back into Dean’s room but the sheriff barred her way, ‘I think it might be a good idea if you left now, Miss. Faraday.’

  She looked at him perplexed, ‘I just wanted to tell him how sorry I am.’

  ‘Well that won’t do him any good now will it?’ She leaned back hurt and ashamed, ‘but if it makes you feel any better I’ll tell him what you said.’ He finished scathingly.

  She tried to keep his gaze and was tempted to take umbrage with him but thought better of it, she didn’t want to cause a scene right outside Dean’s hospital room door. So she nodded and said, ‘he’ll be all right, Sheriff Taylor, I know he will.’

  The sheriff gave her a look of contempt mixed with anger, ‘your friend Hennessey better hope so, Miss. Faraday.’

  Adela looked away and her head bowed she left the hospital. They had brought Dean to Gulfport, which was the nearest hospital to Eden, and she had to walk sometime before she saw a taxi coming down the street towards her.

  She must have looked upset because he asked her if she was all right. She wanted to tell him that no, she wasn’t, she was very far from all right, instead she said she was fine and thanked him for his concern then sat back in the seat and closed her eyes. It was not a long journey back to Eden and Adela wished it was longer, much longer. She didn’t want to go back; she didn’t want to have to see the expressions of accusation and disgust she would surely see on the faces of the townsfolk.

  She would get back to the cabin pack her things and leave as soon as she had rested. She really wanted to leave right away but she was in no fit state to travel any distance and Georgia was quite some distance from Mississippi and she really needed to be fit for the journey. She seriously debated leaving the country all together and going home, but she knew she was too tired to make that judgement right now, she would leave it until she felt a little better, if she ever did.

  She asked the taxi driver to drop her as near to the woods as possible which he did. She paid him giving him a generous tip for which he thanked her most enthusiastically.

  She prayed that she would not run into the Carters or anyone else, she just couldn’t face them, not right now. Not only because of what had occurred at the Gazebo but because they would have heard by now what had happened to Dean. She could hear them now, relaying what had happened in Silver Run and saying that they knew Sterling Hennessey was trouble. And Annie Bloom adding her twopenneth, telling everyone who would listen…that being j
ust about everyone in Eden…she had told Adela that Hennessey was dangerous, and how right she had been, but not in the way Annie had envisaged.

  This time however, luck was not on her side and she did see the Carters just as she rounded the trees beside her cabin. She stopped dead as did they and they all looked at one another, Adela with embarrassment and shame and the Carters with accusation and dislike.

  Adela walked towards them on shaky legs and stopped a few yards away from them. The boys stared at her with curiosity; it was obvious their parents had talked about her in their presence. Angela said, ‘go and play boys.’

  To Adela's surprise, although they looked disappointed, they did her biding instantly.

  The adults stood looking at each other until Adela could stand it no longer and said, ‘there’s no need for me to ask if you’ve heard what’s happened.’

  Angela said abruptly, ‘we heard, although we can’t say we’re surprised.’

  Although Adela felt guilty she couldn’t help the annoyance that grew in her at Angela’s words. After all, Hennessey had only been rude to them he had not been violent, and they had not been there in Dean’s shop as she had been. They had no right to jump to conclusions and to judge him. But she kept a check on her anger and said, ‘Dean is going to have tests on his back.’

  Paul said, ‘yes we know, Sheriff Taylor called us.’

  Adela said, ‘oh.’ And thought, so that’s how they knew.

  Angela her voice dripping with disdain said, ‘I took you for a smart woman, Adela, too smart to get mixed up with the likes of that thug.’

  ‘Thug?’

  ‘Yes, you know what a thug is.’

  Adela sighed and turned to walk away not wanting to get into an argument now, she was much too tired.

  Angela’s voice stopped her, ‘do you not take any responsibility for what happened, Adela.’

  She turned swiftly back but couldn’t look them in the eyes. She said quietly, ‘I did what I could for Dean. I stopped Sterling. I called the ambulance; I stayed with Dean all night.’

  ‘And you think that makes it all right?’ Angela barked.