Honeymoon for Three

them about him, and they drew a blank. He needed to regain her confidence.
    He gave her a big grin and said, “Penny and Gary are going to be so surprised to see me. They aren’t expecting me here at all.”
    “What did you say your name was?” The woman looked skeptical.
    “Jack. Jack London.” It was the first name he came up with. He hoped it didn’t sound too fake.
    “They’re certainly going to be surprised to see you. Maybe you should go across the street and tell them you’re here.”
    “Good idea. I will in a minute. But first, I just want to say what a nice thing you’re doing.”
    “I’m sorry. I don’t understand.”
    “By marrying them. After all, Gary is trying to start over. This will give him the opportunity.”
    She looked puzzled.
    “I guess you don’t know the story. There’s no reason why he would tell you. And after all, what else could he do?”
    “I’m not following you.”
    “He killed his parents. Back in Kentucky. They deserved it. They had been beating him for years. He got out of there and came west to start a new life. In California and Nevada, nobody cares about your past. But, of course, they don’t see it that way in Kentucky. They’re still looking for him back there.”
    The woman was staring at him with her mouth open, glancing at the telephone on the counter in front of her. Had he said enough to impel her to action?
    “I don’t want to alarm you. I don’t think he’s dangerous. But, of course, you never know. Once you’ve killed someone, it’s easier the next time.”
    “Where in Kentucky did this happen?”
    “Er…Berea.” It was the only place Alfred could think of in Kentucky—the place where his father had been born. “Please don’t tell Penny. She doesn’t know any of this. And as I said, I don’t think she’s in danger. Maybe I’ve said too much. I’m going across the street to let them know I’m here.”
    He turned toward the door and looked at her one more time before he stepped outside. She had picked up the receiver of the phone and was already dialing. Good.
    ***
    The sun was shining as only a high desert sun can shine, and the day had warmed up nicely. Gary took off his suit coat so he wouldn’t get too sweaty. He glanced at his watch. It wouldn’t be long now.
    He might have felt funny waiting here with Penny on the courthouse steps, with both of them dressed in their wedding clothes, if another couple hadn’t been doing the same thing. Apparently this was normal for Reno.
    A uniformed policeman walked up the steps toward them. Well, this was the courthouse. He was undoubtedly here as a witness for a trial. Gary thought he was going to walk around them to the front entrance when he stopped and said, “Which one of you is Gary Blanchard?”
    “I am,” Gary said.
    “I need to ask you a few questions. Come with me, please.”
    “Questions about what?”
    “I’ll let you know when we get to the police station.”
    “But—”
    “I don’t want to have to put the cuffs on you.”
    “What’s going on?” Penny asked, fear in her voice.
    “Routine questions,” the officer said.
    “I’m going along.” Penny walked down the steps with them.
    “Sorry, miss. Can’t take you in the patrol car.”
    “Where’s the police station?”
    “On Second Street. Up that way and turn right.”
    “Keys. I don’t have the car keys,” Penny almost screamed.
    Gary reached into his pocket. Then he saw the officer make a movement toward the gun strapped to his belt. He said, “My keys are in this pocket.”
    The officer watched him warily as he pulled out the keys and handed them to Penny. She looked so frightened that he said, “It must be a misunderstanding. Don’t worry. I’ll get it cleared up.” His voice sounded shaky, even to himself.
    The officer opened the back door of a patrol car that was sitting at the curb. Gary slid into the recesses where there were no door handles or window cranks and a metal screen separated him from the front seat. The door slammed shut.
    ***
    Alfred looked approvingly at his reflection in the mirror of the barber shop. He saw a different person. His beard was gone; his hair was as short as Gary’s. If that’s the kind of person Penny liked, that’s the kind of person he was going to be.
    He thanked the barber and tipped him. He walked out of the shop to the clothing store the barber had told him about, determined to upgrade his wardrobe. It was only a few doors away. Once inside, he