Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Six
My restless night left me with red swollen eyes and no new answers. I was sure Timothy orchestrated the whole thing but how is it provable with no known connection between him and John. They had never been seen together and no money trail existed that could be found so far.

Lincoln was awake and staring down at me when I opened my eyes. He had a big smile on his face and gave me the biggest hug that I couldn’t resist. I could smell the aromas coming from the kitchen. I had to stay active just to keep the weight off from the meals Angela prepared. 

I helped Lincoln get dressed for the day and we both went to the kitchen where Angela had finished cooking. Angela was like a family member now, she was much more than a friend and certainly more than a landlord. 

After breakfast I gave Lincoln a hug and got ready for work. Today would be the day when they would announce the promotion to Assistant. I had already let it be known I wasn’t interested. It would take away too much time from Lincoln. 

After I clocked in I noticed a group forming around the front area where the manager was standing holding some papers in his hand. Everyone was listening and waiting for the announcement. Everyone except me. I noticed one of my coworkers standing close to the manager. I could see the body language and knew what would happen.

Manager, “I wanted to announce the promotion to assistant manager will be going to Debbie. She has been a good cashier and very reliable. I know she will be a great addition to the management team.”

I should have expected these results. Debbie was the big breasted coworker who had been sleeping with the manager for several months. I walked back over to my register and started to work. I didn’t like Debbie very much but I would get along with her. I would do my work and then go home. The manager was married and so was Debbie. I didn’t have to get involved. I would simply come in, do my job and go home. I told him I wasn’t interested and it seems like he believed me. 

We all went back to our usual jobs, except Debbie, who was going from one cashier to another telling them how she understood their job and she was always there to listen to them when they wanted to talk about issues or just share their concerns about their job. Then she stopped at my checkout.

Debbie said, “Susan, I know you have a child and if you ever need time off for him I understand those situations.”

I didn’t respond beyond just nodding my head. I just wanted to do my job and go home. Debbie was walking around like she won an academy award and with the way she was acting maybe she deserved one. I got a customer and began checking them out. Debbie moved on down the line which suited me perfectly. 

It was a busy day, I had lots of customers which made the time go by quickly. I was beginning to get to know the regulars that came in with a full cart. I knew the ones that ran in for a pack of cigarettes and a bottle of beer and I knew the ones that always paid with food stamps while they fought with kids over a candy bar at the counter. 

I was tired when the shift ended and was ready to head back to my mystery in progress. Did Timothy kill his wife for money and another woman? I had to remain objective and follow where the evidence leads me. I worked the closing shift and after counting out my drawer I could walk across the empty parking lot to my car. 

The parking lot was well lit and except for when I was being threatened by the gang, I was never afraid to walk across the pavement to where my car stayed most of the day. The car was hot from the sunshine when I parked it there but the sun had long since gone down and the cool breeze that blew over the car had changed the red hot metal to a cool steel body beneath my fingers. Inside the car was still warm from a day’s worth of sunshine and I didn’t waste time getting in. I knew it was safer to get in quickly and leave. I wanted to put my son to bed and get a good night’s rest myself. I hadn’t ruled out reading some more case files and trying to figure out how Timothy paid the killers to do his dirty work. 

I was tired from the day but I wanted to see Lincoln for as long as I could before bed. Lincoln had eaten dinner a long time before I got home. The night shift was hard on us and I never had the time I wanted when I returned from work. Angela had put a plate back for when I got home. I started it warming and while I waited I went in and kissed Lincoln goodnight before going back to eat. He was already asleep. Angela was correct to go ahead and put Lincoln to bed.

I would have a couple of days off and then finish the week with two day shifts. When I made it back to the kitchen, Angela had taken my plate out of the microwave and poured me a glass of wine for dinner. She sat in a chair across the table from me.

Angela asked, “How did your shift go?”

I replied, “It was Okay except for the fact we got a new assistant manager. I wasn’t surprised when she was revealed since she had been sleeping with the boss for a while.”

Angela said, “You seemed to have accepted it okay. I assume you don’t really care for her because of your responses.”

I said, “I didn’t mean to be so dramatic. It was a disappointment but I will live over it. I didn’t want the job, I was just disappointed that it wasn’t offered. I felt like I deserved it, understand?”

Angela smiled and said, “I get it. That job would have required even more time from you than you already give. You would never have time with your son nor would you have time for your investigations.”

I said, “I am off for the next couple of days and I am going to spend some time with Lincoln. I thought we might go pay respects to Charles and then spend some time in town. Maybe I can take him to the park or something.”

Angela said, “I think he would like to spend some time with you. It will do you both good.”

I asked, “Would you like to join us for the day?”

Angela replied, “I think not. I think I will chill by myself and read a book.” 

I replied, “I know Lincoln can be a handful and I feel like I dump him on you.”

Angela said, “Nonsense, Lincoln is fine. I enjoy him. Sometimes I think maybe too much. I have felt more alive since you and Lincoln came to live here than I have in a very long time.”

I replied, “Thanks a lot for everything. I guess I better get some sleep. It was a long shift and Lincoln will be up early in the morning.”

I decided sleep would be more important tonight than reading case files. Since I had some time off I would be able to read some later. I quietly tiptoed into the bedroom and could hear Lincoln snoring in the background. It will be good to spend some time with him. 

Lincoln woke me early the next morning staring down at me with those big blue eyes. He was excited because I told him we were going to visit his father’s grave. I don’t know what he understood but he always got quiet when we went to the cemetery. I always spoke out loud when I talked to Charles but Lincoln just sat there and stared. He never asked me any questions about Charles and didn’t know much about him aside from what I had told him over time. 

Angela has been an angel since we moved into her home. She has made it a home for all of us. She must have been a great wife to her husband, she was such a loving individual. She had breakfast ready; she always had breakfast ready. We ate breakfast together, laughed and joked and had a good time. Figuring out about Timothy would have to wait, for the rest of the day I would be concentrating on my family.

After breakfast, I got dressed and got Lincoln dressed for the day. I told Angela that I would see her later and took Lincoln out and buckled him into his kid’s car seat and drove to the cemetery. I unbuckled Lincoln and we made our way to Charles’ grave. I took the lead and spoke out loud first.

I said, “Charles, I know you never got to spend any time with your son but I figure you have been watching him grow up. This is Lincoln, your son.”

Lincoln said, “Hello dad. I don’t remember you much but I think about you every day. I am sorry I didn’t get to know you.”

I gave Lincoln a big hug hoping he didn’t see the tear that dripped down my cheek. 

I said, “Charles, losing you was the most devastating thing that ever happened to me. I wanted to let you know that the man responsible for the car accident was shot and killed. He was convicted of kidnapping and the husband of the victim shot him at the courthouse.”

I brought flowers with me for the grave. Two sets, one from me and one from Lincoln. We got them placed in the vases attached to the tombstone. I couldn’t stay long, it always put me in a sad place. This visit was more for the benefit of Lincoln, than for me. I talked to Charles all the time without the use of a grave. It didn’t matter where, it could be in line at the bank, sitting in a parking lot or just driving.