Redemption

Chapter 15

He finally answered the phone. He really had no choice. It had now been a while since she’d left town.

“Hello, Alex.”

“Well, it’s about damn time,” she barked.

“I’ve been busy.”

“So have I. The team’s leaving to go work on a case in New Hampshire. Plane takes off in an hour.”

“Good luck on it.”

“Bogart is not happy.”

“I’m sure he has every right to be pissed at me.”

“You’re just placating me. I was calling to see if you wanted to join us in New Hampshire. I checked on flights. There’s one you can catch out of Cleveland, with a layover in Newark.”

“I can’t do that, Alex. I’m working the case here.”

“Well, get in good with your old friends at the police force there. I’m not sure you’ll have a job at the FBI when you get back.”

“I guess I can understand that.”

“Nobody wants that, Amos. I hope you know that.”

“I do.”

“Good luck, with everything you’re doing up there.”

She clicked off and Decker put down his phone and stared at it for a long moment. He was suddenly hungry. And he knew exactly where he wanted to eat.

The place was only about a quarter full when he got there, even though it was the dinner hour. He had noticed some new eateries that had opened up on his walk over here. Maybe they were taking business away from the American Grill.

He was shown to a table and sat down. He glanced at his menu and then scanned the interior.

Waiters and waitresses were making the rounds of the tables. Other wait staff stood against the wall conversing.

His gaze passed one table and then came back to it, his attention suddenly riveted on the couple sitting there. It was Earl Lancaster, Mary’s husband. He was there with a woman, only it wasn’t his wife. Earl had started out as a construction laborer before becoming a contractor. He had the build of a man who used his muscle for a living. He was about six feet tall, with a Marine buzz cut, thick arms, and a broad chest. He was dressed in an untucked white long-sleeved shirt and dress jeans. A pair of black loafers were on his feet. His companion was in her early forties with a slim build, long, soft brown hair, green eyes, and a pleasant smile as she peered lovingly into Earl’s face.

Earl broke off looking at her, gazed around the restaurant, and flinched when he saw Decker staring at him. He said something to the woman, jumped up, and headed over to Decker’s table. Decker noted that the woman watched him the whole way.

Earl sat down across from Decker.

“Amos, I heard you were in town. Mary told me.”

“Is that right?” said Decker, letting his gaze linger for a moment longer on the woman before looking at Earl.

The man seemed embarrassed. He put his hands together on the tabletop and stared down at them.

“Guess you’re wondering what’s going on.”

“I am, but it’s also none of my business.”

“Fact is, Mary and I are splitting up.”

“Really?” said Decker. “I’m sorry to hear that. And who’s your friend over there?”

Earl glanced up. “I know what you’re thinking.”

“I doubt it.”

“Mary initiated this whole thing, Amos. It wasn’t my idea. But I have a life to live.”

“What about Sandy?”

“We’re splitting custody, but I’ll have her more. Mary’s schedule is too crazy.”

“And she’s okay with that?”

“She suggested it.”

“What’s going on with her? Why the divorce? Why letting you get Sandy? This isn’t making sense.”

Earl looked uncomfortable. “She’s a cop. She’s got... It’s a lot of pressure.”

“Do you want to get divorced, Earl?”

“I don’t have a choice, do I? It’s not like I can stop her.”

Decker glanced at the woman again. She smiled, but when he didn’t return it, she abruptly looked away.

“Well, regardless, I think you’ve already made your choice.”

Earl’s features turned angry. “I don’t need to be judged by you, okay?”

“I’m not judging anybody. I’m simply making an observation. If I’m wrong, tell me so and I’ll say I’m sorry.”

Earl’s anger dissipated. “Look, it’s true, Nancy and I are seeing each other. But Mary and I stopped... well, we stopped living really as husband and wife a while back. If you know what I mean. And I didn’t start seeing her until Mary told me our marriage was over. I swear to God.”

“I believe you. And how is Sandy taking it?”

“She doesn’t really understand.”

“I think she probably understands more than you think.”

“We’ll get by. We have to.”

“No argument there. Hope everything works out for you. All of you,” he added.

“I know why you’re in town. Mary told me. The Hawkins case. You know one of the victims, David Katz, owned this place?”

Decker nodded. “And now his widow does. You know Rachel Katz?”

“Yeah, I know her. She’s involved in lots of projects around town.”

“She apparently has big plans for Burlington.”

“Well, the town needs a shot of energy. Glad she’s doing what she’s doing.”

“Okay,” said Decker.

“I, uh, better be getting back. Good to see you, Amos.”

“Yeah.”

Earl retreated to his table, where Decker watched him and the woman named Nancy talking and snatching glances at him. He picked up his menu and waved the waitress over after he’d made his decision. She was in her thirties, tall and skinny. A young man was behind her. She introduced him as Daniel, a trainee. He looked to be in his twenties, with dark hair and sharply defined features. He smiled shyly and then watched the waitress, his order pad held out like hers.

When Decker ordered, she smiled and wrote it down. “That’s a lot of food.”

“Well, I’m a lot of guy,” replied Decker.

Daniel laughed along with the waitress.

When his meal came, he ate it methodically, all the while looking around the restaurant. When Earl and his friend left, they did not look in his direction, for which Decker was glad. He was not adept at these moments. Things he could say before his brain injury were impossible to get out now, even if the underlying emotions were inside him. Or else he would blurt out the wrong thing and make everyone uncomfortable.

Mary divorcing. So that was the explanation for her odd behavior. He felt sorry for both Earl and her. Yet he felt sorriest of all for Sandy. He would like to talk to Mary about it but was afraid he would just botch it.

He finished his meal and ordered a cup of coffee. Whenever the door opened, a chilly wind leaked into the space. He would have to get a heavier coat if he was going to stay here much longer. He wasn’t that far removed from the days when the only clothes he had were the ones he was wearing.

As he was drinking his coffee, a voice said, “Why do I think you’re not really here for the food?”

Decker looked up to see Captain Miller standing next to his table. He was dressed in a suit, but his necktie was loosened. He might have just come from work.

He sat down across from Decker.

Decker said, “I saw Earl. And his lady friend, Nancy.”

Miller slowly nodded. “Okay. Then you know.”

“I know they’re getting divorced. And I heard his side of things. Not Mary’s.”

“Then you need to ask Mary for her take, if you want to. I suggested that to you back at the police station. So, any startling revelations come to you about this restaurant since you were here last?”

“The coffee still sucks.”

“Anything else?”

Decker looked around the mostly empty space.

“Why does Rachel Katz still own it?”