Traces

by Paul Jr. Logan

  He made a few more attempts in the remaining hours before twilight. No one answered him.

  Dr. Bane was waiting.

  21

  If one can characterize our activities as hard work oriented towards erasing the smug smile off Craig Ruell's face, we must admit that we have made considerable progress in this area.

  He opened the door for us by himself and stepped aside without uttering his usual nonsense. He wore the same light shirt and simple pants as he had worn the day before-or extremely similar to them-but there was no lightness or casualness. There was a deep crinkle between his eyebrows, and you could tell it wasn't the results of the last baseball game.

  - Very careless, Mr. Ruell, I said as I walked past him.

  I didn't mean anything in particular, but I had a feeling that was exactly the kind of phrase he didn't want to hear right now. As he followed us into the drawing-room it seemed to me that he had gotten a little shorter. But when Craig Ruell looked at me, I saw in his eyes the same cold energy he always had.

  - Listen, he said, and tried to smile. He didn't succeed, but I gave him credit for trying. I didn't kill that man. I know it looks like I did.

  He didn't offer us a seat, so we stayed standing. The time for petty rudeness is over. It was the period of knocked-out teeth.

  - You came to me and threatened to expose me to this man, Ruell continued. And then he was found dead. Of course, the first thought that came into your head was that I'd finished him off. But come to think of it, I had no reason to do it.

  He paused and looked at us frowningly. If he was expecting some kind of reaction, he was going to be disappointed.

  - Come on. You said yourself I was under the radar. Which means your people have been hanging around my house the whole time. If I had killed Cooper, they would have seen it. Wouldn't they?

  - Today's not your day, I said sadly.

  - Our agents have not been able to trace where James went, Heidi explained.

  Ruell scolded himself.

  - And you think that the game is lost, his head fell down, he took a deep breath and started from the other end. Okay. So, you believe that I got James to kill this man. What's next?

  I leaned back in my chair and gave him a fatherly smile.

  - Only a court of low can determine a man's guilt. But we came to you about something else.

  Heidi pulled some documents out of a folder.

  - What the hell is this? Ruell's manners suffered a little under the unexpected rain of doom.

  - These are the statements you and your gardener will be required to sign as testimonies under oath, Heidi said. Yours says that Rowan Vaughn spent one night in your house the number is stated and was unable to leave from the moment he left your house until the police arrived the next morning. It also states that Rowan Vaughn at no time and under no circumstances caused material damage to any part of your home.

  - I hear a lawyer’s voice, Ruell said with a frown.

  - I am a lawyer. The document your gardener will sign says that Rowan Vaughn had nothing to do with any physical injuries related to him. It also states that the signer has no intention to contradict what is written in your statement, Mr. Ruell.

  - I'd like to meet you under different circumstances, Craig groaned. His head was still lowered, but his eyes were fixed upon Heidi’s face. At that moment he looked like an enraged bull, preparing to hump his charming opponent. And I was sure that Ruell would do so as soon as he gets the chance presented to him.

  - There are also papers to be signed by James and your housekeeper, Heidi continued. As far as I know, you have no other servants. As for the people who were with you that night, they all said they were so drunk that they couldn't remember anything of the events that took place at the time. Therefore, their testimony would be useless.

  - It's not lawyer language that should come out of such a girl's mouth, but words of love," Ruell sighed as he picked up the papers. His eyes were fixed on the lines, and I was afraid that it might cause some of the letters to fly off.

  I stood staring at him. We did not know what other compromising material Rowan Vaughn kept under his pink cushion. But I suspected he was not eager to disclose it. So the only things we could insist on were signed documents and negatives of photographs. Nothing else.

  Ruell lifted his eyes from the documents and waved them lightly in the air. His fingers were slightly tense and crumpled the paper.

  - Very interesting, he said. You want the witnesses to give false testimony under oath?

  It was a good try. I was sure Craig was recording our conversation. I would have done the same if I were him. Now he would try to coax words out of us that would confirm the pressure on the witnesses.

  I waved my right hand gracefully. It was very delicate, but I knew from Ruell's puzzled look that he could not appreciate the gesture.

  - We have no power over the truth, my friend, I said. And if what is written here is a lie, then alas! There is nothing you can do to help us.

  - Which means that you are unable to cooperate with us, Mr. Ruell, Heidi said firmly.

  - It won't be your fault, I hastened to explain. You can't change the past, that's right. So if what's written here doesn't match the facts, we'll just leave. You can't always help your friends, can you?

  - This is blackmail, he said.

  - Don't be ridiculous," I said.

  He put the papers in his hands and then said:

  - I don't know where the gardener and the housekeeper are.

  - We know, Heidi's voice was calm, but I detected a faint note of triumph in it.

  Ruell shook his head in agreement.

  - Okay, I'm really backed into a corner. Anything else?

  - You're a shrewd fellow, Craig, I said approvingly.

  - We need the negatives, Heidi said. And the name of your employer.

  Ruell was beginning to calm down. He knew which pieces he had to give up to continue the game, and he could assess the situation rationally.

  - Come now, he said. You've been watching me. Don't tell me you don't know where I spent the night.

  I looked at him with what I thought was a penetrating look. I'll have to check with a mirror sometime to see if that's true.

  - Yes, yes, yes, Ruell straightened, waving his palms apart in the air. He did it vigorously enough, but he failed to take off. This is Alison Vaughn.

  - She hired you to take her cousin's stock? I asked sharply. If Craig's recording our conversation, let him enjoy erasing the tape.

  - Yes, that's her. The girl felt bad that Grandpa hadn't left her a piece of the family pie. So she decided that while she still could, she had to get into her neighbor's plate.

  I felt a slight tingling in my fingertips. Ruell was hooked, and now he was doing his best to go under the water again and bite the legs of those around him from there.

  - Now we need to talk about the negatives, I said.

  He looked at me, turned around, and headed for the locker. Looking at his back, I wondered what it had cost him to make this decision. The tape was solid evidence of Rowan Vaughn's guilt. At the same time, there were all kinds of feelings on the landlord's face, but not remorse. He had not given up at all, he simply wanted to retreat with the least amount of loss. And yet he dared to give up the negative. Maybe because he had a lot of prints hidden somewhere. Or Alison Vaughn does.

  Heidi took a small coil from Ruell's fingers and looked at it in the light.

  - As far as I can tell, this is it, she said. Anyway, we'll show the prints to Rowan, and he'll tell us if it's all there.

  Ruell spread his hands in agreement.

  - Did Alison have any prints left? I asked.

  - Alison, he hummed. You don't even know her, Michael, and you already call her by her first name, like you're talking about a whore. He turned away from me to the window. Alison deserves it, though. Yeah, she's got the prints, and I don't think I could get her to give them up.

  - That won't be necessary, said Heidi. No
t yet. But you can do something else. We'll take care of that as soon as we have the papers ready. Shall we go, Mr. Ruell?

  - I couldn't refuse such a splendid woman, Craig Ruell's flag still fluttered proudly over the battlefield, though it had been torn in several places. He felt bad now, but not as bad as the five soldiers and one sergeant on the tropical shore.

  He went to the door without looking back at us. Because of his extreme workload, the norms of etiquette had been crossed off his calendar for the day.

  - I hope you don't mind, I tossed him over my shoulder, if a couple of our boys will stay at your house while you're gone. You know, look at some books.

  - As much as you like, he didn't turn around. But the collection of cognac in the basement is counted.

  It was my first time riding in the same car as James. It was a convenient opportunity to ponder whether he killed Sam Cooper or not. Ruell looked up and thought about something. Probably he was repeating the multiplication table in his mind.

  22

  Rowan Vaughn looked through the dark stain of the filled glass and thought about his father. More than ever, he wanted to get drunk now, but he couldn't. Walking over to the bar counter, he was going to order a double bourbon and forget all about it. But then he remembered Amber's bluish face and the taste of champagne.

  And his Dad really thinks he's a murderer. A criminal who should be severely punished. A Vaughn is always responsible for what he does, my father says. Has he done anything in his life that he should be held accountable for? Dad's never done anything at all.

  The barman looked with some suspicion at the boy who had been staring at the glass with cold coke in it for the last ten minutes. Maybe he was on drugs. Just don't go rowdy - now would be a good time for customers.

  That's what a real Vaughn would do. That's what my dad is talking about. And it's the same thing my uncle keeps saying. But they both do it differently. And they're both Vaughns, no matter how you slice it. So where's the truth? Or there is no family and they both just want him to do as they say?

  - It's time to save your nose, or it's about to sink, a cheerful voice came from beside him. Ceri.

  - Hello, Ceri. You wanted to see me?

  She put her warm hand on his shoulder.

  - Are you not feeling well, Rowan ?

  He nodded.

  - You shouldn't be so sad, the girl sat down beside him. Amber was my best friend, and I knew her long before you two started dating. I feel bad, too, Rowan, she says, with a serious face. I miss her a lot, too. But you mustn't bury yourself with her, Rowan, you mustn't.

  Ceri was a very good friend. You could count on her. They were always together with Amber.

  - What will Miss have to drink? the barman leaned toward her.

  - Nothing Ceri shook her head. Come along, Rowan. It was silly of me to make an appointment in a bar. You're not allowed to drink. I'm sorry.

  He set the glass of Coke on the counter, it was almost untouched. Ceri gently took his hand and lead him out into the bright sunlight.

  In a couple of days, he'll have shares in the family bank. What will he do with them? How will he be able to hold on to it? What should a real Vaughn do?

  - My uncle suggested I transfer the stock to his name, he said. Some kind of an undertaking that I'd give them to him as soon as I got them.

  - Come on, Rowan, the girl's voice is calm and reassuring. You need to talk it out. But not here. Let's go.

  And he followed her.

  - I'll make you some coffee, Rowan.

  He was sitting on a narrow couch in Ceri's apartment. It's not as posh as Amber's bungalow. But it's quiet.

  - I have to decide something, his fingers wrapped around his head, but it didn't help. Thoughts flew in and out of it, and there's nothing to stop them.

  The girl sunk down beside him, her hand holding out a cup of coffee to him. He accepted it, squeezing his fingers gently and, trying not to spill it.

  - Are you afraid you can't handle it? She asked sympathetically.

  The coffee tastes really good, the pleasant warmth spread over his body. He wished he could get drunk and forget everything.

  - No. I know a thing or two about banking. Ceri's deep eyes looked at him intently. He was glad she called. It's not that. It's just that I'm confused.

  His left hand was resting on his lap, the girl's palm dipped encouragingly over it.

  - Amber's dead, he said. And then there's the stock story. I don't know.

  - You don't have to worry, Rowan. Everything's going to be alright. You said your uncle hired someone?

  -Yes, he got better with every sip of coffee. Or is it because there's someone he could share his doubts with? - You know, yesterday these people said they had evidence against Craig.

  - Craig did this?

  - It turns out he did.

  Ceri went silent. The cup emptied as if by itself; he set it on the floor.

  Unbeknownst to him, his hands squeezed the girl's fingers.

  - I could never imagine it was him, Ceri says. But you say there is proof?

  - That's what they say.

  Ceri sit back comfortably, her eyes gleaming again, her scarlet lips smiled. She was so close. He could feel the warmth of her body.

  - So don't think about it, Rowan. If that's the case, it's already solved. The man who killed Amber will get what he deserves, and you have to move on with your life.

  He squeezed her hands tighter. She's right. It's that simple. Why didn't this have never occurred to him before?

  - I don't know what to do with the stock, Ceri. My uncle and Wade want me to give it to them.

  - You must decide that for yourself, her hands were soft, the firm and reliable hands of a friend. He felt like her confidence was flowing into him through them. Are you saying that you're not afraid to run the bank?

  - No. And, really, what's there to be afraid of? If Uncle and Wade can do it, he's not worse than they are. He's not. The economy was easy for him. He's been learning the ins and outs of finance since he was a kid. I'm not afraid.

  - Then what is it? Ceri's face was so cheerful. She's very strong. It's a good thing she called.

  - I don't know, there was no more doubt in his mind. Life just got so much easier. - Ceri, you're right.

  She laughed.

  - You make your own decisions, Rowan, she said. My opinion doesn't play any role here. Perhaps it does. But he already knew what he's going to do. But his father...

  - You know my father, Ceri. You're right, of course, it doesn't matter what he thinks, but still do you think he'll approve?

  Her hands caressed his temples, warmth and serenity started enveloping him.

  - He believes in you, you fool, Ceri replied softly. He believes in you, silly boy. And he will be proud when you take over the bank.

  She's right. My father always said you should be a real man. After all, he and his uncle taught him the same thing - just expressed it in different ways. His body was washed with blissful exhaustion, the girl's soft flesh pressed against him. Suddenly he is overcome by desire. Ceri's lips are already kissing him, her fingers caressing his back.

  He wanted to hold her to him, and never let go.

  Her lips were so good he couldn't tear himself away from them. The scent of her body, so close both physically and emotionally – was driving him crazy and made his blood throb in his temples and his hands clench frantically in the girl's arms.

  Ceri slowly pulls away from him, a new expression glowed in her deep eyes, mysterious, inviting, making his heart burst out of his chest, like a little boy at the sight of a new box of toys.

  Her fingers slowly undo the button of his dark gray blouse. His hands began to help her, he's good at it. His fingers feel the girl's hot, exciting body with every passing second. The blouse is unbuttoned and open wide. Her body was so beautiful. Rowan's palms slide around her waist, soaking up the warmth of the woman's flesh. She curves smoothly, freeing herself from her blouse, her small. upturned breast
s rising, his hands sliding up and fumbling for the clasp of her bra. Just a moment and it's undone.

  He felt good; he was doing great. The blouse slipped smoothly off his hands, he removed her bra, and his lips began to kiss her nipples. The fabric holding them back is still in his hands. Her short fingers touched his chest, pulling the buttons of his shirt out of the slits.

  Rowan's lips pulled away from the girl's breast, he looked into her eyes. His palms ran down her supple sides and down to her waist. He caressed the girl's silky skin, starting at her belly button and ending at her back, where her buttocks begin. He felt power and confidence. He no longer regretted not getting drunk.

  Ceri pulled off his unbuttoned shirt, her body pressed against his, the girl's firm breasts burned his flesh. His fingers began to stroke her buttocks which were hidden beneath the tight fabric of her shorts. Then he felt the cold tingling of the clasp of his pants. It has to be undone.

  - I love you, he said.

  Ceri held him by the shoulders and curved smoothly, running her nipples over and over against his skin. Her legs were folded on the couch, keeping him from undressing her. He stood up gustily, pulling her behind him. She obeyed.

  She stood in front of him and he kneeled down, slowly pulling her shorts down from

  her legs. He could do anything - artfully bring her to orgasm, stand at the head of

  the bank, rule the elements. He could do anything. Rowan's fingers caressed her firm

  thighs, Ceri ran her fingers under the elastic of her panties and slipped out of them. When Rowan straightened up, she was already completely naked, and her eyes called out to him.

  He took her by the arms and sank back down on the couch. The naked girl lowered herself at his feet and began to unzip his pants. Then she pulled them down and pulled his cock and balls out of his underpants. She starts to play with them, he feels the touch of her short, graceful fingers. His hands reach out and squeeze her knees.

  Ceri begins to move, the girl's buttocks massaging his legs. She stands up and tangles him free of the rest of his clothes. He lifts his torso to reach for her, but he doesn't need to. She is hovering over him, her fingers squeeze his shoulders, and her sharp teeth begin to nibble at the skin on his chest. He caresses her neck, her back, and her rounded buttocks.