The Day Steam Died Part 23

Chapter 51.

"Those new shops and restaurants will open their doors as new industries move in to take advantage of the skilled labor pool available to them."

Evidence found The doorbell snapped Alice's attention from Perry Mason, her favorite TV show. If that was Ann, why would she ring the doorbell? She approached the door cautiously and pulled the sheer drape aside just enough to peek through the beveled gla.s.s side panel. Shocked at the sight of her daughter outside, she swung the door open.

"My G.o.d Ann, what happened to you? I told you not to go out there, it was too dangerous!" Alice put her arm around her limping daughter and helped her through the door to the living room couch.

"I tripped over one of the wooden flats in the warehouse. You can't believe how dark it was. That building doesn't have any windows, but I didn't dare turn the lights on."

"What were you doing in the warehouse?"

"I had to get into Joey's office to see what is in there that he's so protective of. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw all those surveillance monitors. He watches everything we do. And look what else I found." Ann held up the copied pages from his desk.

"What are they?'

"Look closer, Momma, do you see the broken letter 'o' in the body of his report? That's exactly like the ones in Marie's so-called suicide note. That note was typed on Joey's typewriter and planted in Marie's typewriter."

Alice's hands flew over her mouth to stifle a scream. "Do you really think Joey wrote that note?"

"Not only did he type the note, he must have forced her to take an overdose of her heart medicine. He murdered Marie, Momma!"

"Oh, Ann, I don't know what to think. If he finds out you know about the note, you're in real danger. Let's call the police right now. Show that to Detective Connell." Alice paced in front of the couch. "Why did you have to stick your nose into all this? Why couldn't you just leave well enough alone?"

"I'm not calling the police, not just yet. I want to plan this out very carefully. Right now I need to get cleaned up and soak my wrist.

Ann came back downstairs after checking on the children. The sc.r.a.ped knee had stiffened and her wrist looked like she had a goose egg under her skin. Alice brought her a cup of coffee and sat silently while Ann soaked her wrist in a pan of warm salt water. Detached from her immediate surroundings, she stared into s.p.a.ce, trying to organize the thoughts wrestling with each other in her mind.

Alice broke the silence. "Ann, I beg you, go to the police first thing in the morning before he gets back from Washington. They can arrest him when he gets here and keep him from hurting you or the children."

"No, Momma, he isn't the only one I want. He doesn't know it, but Joey is going to help me get to Sam and Tank. His murder investigation will allow the police to search his office. I couldn't open his locked files, but the police can with a warrant. The police will find out how they've been illegally shipping millions of cigarettes up north. They'll discover that our ill.u.s.trious state senator and his big shot father are crooks. That's what I want."

"I don't know, Ann, this whole thing sounds awfully dangerous. I just want you and the children to be safe, that's all."

"Don't worry. I was careful. He won't ever know I was in there and has no idea I have a key to his office. It's ironic." Ann almost chocked up on her words. "Marie is going to get justice from the grave by having that key make. She was probably saving it for the right time. She knew I would find it if she died first." Ann cried softly for her friend and knew what her next move had to be. "I'm exhausted and need to get some sleep. I have a big day planned for tomorrow. Goodnight, Momma."

"Goodnight, dear." She gave her daughter an unusually tight hug and whispered, "I know you think I'm old and insensitive about what happened. I'm not. I just love you and your children so much. Please get some rest now and go to the doctor tomorrow."

"Okay, I'll get it checked. Don't worry. Everything is going to be okay."

Ann's body screamed with pain at every movement. It was all she could do to hobble up the steps to her bedroom. Memories of her former life washed over her as she climbed up the spiral stairs. She wasn't sure if she was meant to have a happy life, but she was sure now that she would have justice.

Chapter 52.

"New growth will encourage more recreational facilities, expanded educational facilities and homes being built."

The day after Ann arrived at work earlier than usual the next morning. Her bandaged wrist was covered by a long sleeve blouse. She had no intention of going to the doctor-there was too much to do. Tylenol had eased the pain in her wrist, but the medicinal odor from cream she'd applied to reduce the swelling escaped into the room. She couldn't worry about that now. The bandage on her sc.r.a.ped knee was hidden by her slacks. It was wrapped so tight she felt like it would rip open if she tried to walk normally.

Ann limped to the warehouse door, took a deep breath, and unlocked the door. She clinched her fist and strode through without any sign of a limp. The crew had already moved the wooden flat. She continued her painful effort not to reveal her injuries walking across the warehouse floor.

Ann's nerves began to fray; she wasn't sure she turned off the copy machine. Did she leave Joey's trip note on the copy machine? She had to let herself in and make sure she'd replaced the papers exactly where they were on his desk; the video ca.s.sette was re-filed in its proper place and check to make sure the copy machine was off. He would notice if anything was different or was out of place.

Relieved that Joey wasn't back yet, she headed straight for his office door, avoiding being seen by Ronnie or the crew of workers. They stamped the cases, getting ready for another day of loading the increasing number of box cars that seem to get added each month.

A quick glance back at the work crew a.s.sured her they were too busy to be paying any attention to her. Ann summoned up all her courage. With key in hand, she turned to unlock Joey's office.

"What are you doing out here, Ann?"

Ann jumped and turned to find Ronnie standing right behind her. "d.a.m.n it, Ronnie, do you make it a habit of sneaking up on people? You scared me half to death."

"Nope, just wonderin' what you're doing out here," Ronnie replied matter-of-factly.

"Nothing in particular. It gets a little lonely in there now that Marie is gone. Thought I'd come out here and see what's going on. I have more responsibility now and should be more aware of what you all do, that's all."

"We're doin' the same thing we've been doin' ever since you came here, just more of it. If you're lookin' for Joey, he ain't back yet. Don't know when he will be. Knock yourself out, though. Watch all you want. I've got to get back to work." Ronnie turned and yelled at the forklift drivers to be careful not to damage those boxes. "You have a good day now." He nodded to Ann and shuffled off toward the dock.

Still shaken by Ronnie sneaking up on her and not sure if she left Joey's office the way she found it, Ann returned to the front office. There wasn't anything she could do about it now. Seated at her desk, she took several deep breaths to calm down. She opened her purse that could have doubled as a saddle bag and fished patrol Officer John Cartier's card out.

She dialed the number, expecting to hear Officer Cartier's voice on the other end. "Dispatch, how can I help you?" a husky female voice rose above the sound of other voices in the background.

Startled at not hearing Cartier's warm voice, Ann stammered, "Uh, yes, I'm trying to reach Officer Cartier."

"What's the nature of your call, ma'am?"

"I need to talk to him about the Marie Short's case."

"Ma'am, I can connect you to Detective Connell. He was lead on that case."

"No, I just need to speak to Officer Cartier. He gave me his card and said if I ever had any questions to call him. Can you help me?"

"Is this an emergency?"

"No."

"If this isn't an emergency, all I can do is page him and give him your number. He's on patrol now."

"Thank you. That will be fine. My name is Ann Blackmon and the number is 692-7268."

"I'll page him. You have a nice day, ma'am."

Ann busied herself trying to organize Marie's file drawer while checking to see if she could find any other evidence in the process. Lunch approached and Officer Cartier hadn't returned her call.

Her nerves had been on edge ever since she broke into Joey's office. A hot bowl of chicken noodle soup was just the thing to calm her down. The office's electric hot plate had a pan of soup bubbling in a matter of minutes.

Her phone shattered the office silence, nearly causing Ann to spill the soup she was pouring. She knew she was playing a dangerous game that could get her into serious trouble if Joey had the slightest suspicion of what she was planning.

"S & T Distributing." Ann spoke sharply, wincing when she unconsciously lifted the receiver with her injured wrist.

"Ann, have you gone to the doctor yet?"

"No, Momma, I haven't," she said, disappointment dripping off her words.

"I wish you would get that wrist looked at. It could be broken. It could get-"

"Momma, I don't have time to argue with you. I'm expecting an important call. I'm sorry about being so grouchy lately. I've just got a lot on my mind. Why don't we all go out and have pizza for dinner tonight? How does that sound?"

"Fine, but I'm worried about you."

"I know, but don't be. See you after work."

As soon as Ann hung up, the phone rang again. She picked it up before a second ring, with her left hand this time.

"S & T Distributing,"

"This is Officer Cartier. May I speak to Mrs. Blackmon?"

"This is Ann Blackmon. Thank you for returning my call."

"What can I do for you, Mrs. Blackmon?"

Ann sucked in a breath and adopted her most charming tone of voice. "I have a favor to ask. Can you take a license tag number and find who the owner is?"

"Sure. I have a friend back at the department that owes me a favor. I can have it for you tomorrow. Is that soon enough, Mrs. Blackmon?"

"Yes, of course. Thank you very much. And please, call me Ann."

"No thanks necessary. That's part of my job. I'll call you in the morning. You have a good day, Mrs. . . . excuse me, Ann."

Chapter 53.

"Financial aid will be made available as a depressed area to help with your resurrection and nothing will be spared to make that happen, you have my word on it."

The breakup Candi solemnly gathered her cameras and few personal items she kept in her office in the photo lab area. She was sad on a day that she should have been celebrating. Not good at goodbyes, Candi dreaded to face Rick when he arrived.

"You sure you won't change your mind?" Dan asked, watching his best photographer pack up her office next to the dark room where she'd turned out prize winning photos.

She turned to give a snarky answer, but when she saw the look on Dan's face, she just said, "I'm sure."

"Good morning everyone." Rick greeted staffers in the bull pen beginning their morning routine of coffee, checking their stories in the morning paper and preparing for a meeting for the days a.s.signments. "Don't you just love this weather?" he asked of no one in particular.

He popped into Dan's office to find it empty. Walking down the hallway toward Candi's office, he carried out the daily charade that was supposed to fool everyone into thinking that because he and Candi came in at different times, they weren't living together.

Rick didn't think it too strange to see Dan standing in Candi's doorway, probably talking about a photo a.s.signment. Since the fiasco at the warehouse in Winston, he and Candi hadn't worked as many a.s.signments together. She had become more distant, but they still enjoyed each other's company most of the time, especially in bed after some wine and a good steak dinner at Soloman's.

"Morning Dan, Candi. What's on for today?"

"Good morning, Rick," Dan said. "Why don't you stop by my office later?"

"Sure, Dan. What's it about?"

Dan just smiled then quickly walked away, leaving Rick with a confused look on his face.

"What's with our boss this morning? And . . ." Rick stopped in the middle of his question when he saw Candi gathering her equipment. "What the h.e.l.l are you doing?"

"What does it look like I'm doing? I'm packing up my stuff."

"I can see that. Is there something you haven't told me?"

"Yeah, there is. I thought about telling you weeks ago that I had applied for an overseas a.s.signment as a freelance photographer for Time magazine. I'm going to Africa to cover the famine and genocide that n.o.body seems to care about. I didn't see any point in telling you unless I got the a.s.signment."

"And I'm the first you've told?"

She shook her head. "Dan knows."

"You couldn't tell me, but you told Dan?" Rick's voice cracked. "Why?"

"He's my boss. You're not. I gave him an early heads-up that I might be leaving soon. It would be on short notice after I got the offer. The offer came in yesterday's mail."

Stunned by the unexpected news, Rick had a flashback to the night Ann told him she was moving. For a moment he was speechless, shaking his head in disbelief. He threw his hands up in the air and searched for words that wouldn't come. He moved closer to Candi, almost shouting in her face.

"I can't believe you didn't tell me or at least give me some warning about your plan! So, you're leaving today, just like that?"

Candi stood silently, avoiding Rick's eyes. "Are you through?" she said when he stopped to catch his breath.

"Yeah, I guess so since I don't get a vote. When did you decide on this great new adventure?"

"Don't play dumb. I told you in the very beginning that I wanted to go to Africa. Do something that was really meaningful."

"Oh, you mean meaningful like getting killed." His voice softened, eyes pleading with her. "You're such a bleeding heart, Candi. You can't save the world by yourself."

"Maybe not, but I have to try to make a difference. I wasn't doing that here, never would have. You never took me seriously about my ambition to go to Africa. I didn't tell you I had applied for the job, because you would have tried to talk me out of it like you're doing now."

"What about us? What about our relationship? doesn't that count for anything?"

"What about us, Rick? You knew I wasn't interested in a permanent relationship. That's not something I want in my life right now. I tried to tell you, but you weren't listening. Look, I really care for you . . . a lot. You're one of the nicest guys I've ever know and about the only man I trust. We had some really great times together. If I ever decide to settle down, it'll have to be with somebody like you, but just not now. I'm sorry to have to tell you like this. I didn't see it happening any other way. I would like for us to still be friends because you are truly my best friend."