Jack Beale 00 - Killer Run

dial.
    * * *
    The conversation was short and as soon as Tom hung up, he called Mark Malloy in Ipswich.
    “We found him. He was just up north at Polly’s. He crashed the funeral, found both Max and Polly, and demanded that they give him the quilt.”
    “Is he still there?”
    “No. He bolted when Polly and Max began screaming. He’s gone.”
    “Damn. Listen, there’s no point in me driving up there tonight, but how ’bout I meet you at your office in the morning. Maybe we can come up with some way to flush him out. I’d like to talk to Jack and Max as well.”
    “Sounds good to me. If for some reason he surfaces, I’ll call.”
    “Thanks.” Malloy hung up the phone.
    * * *
    Alfred drove in silence all the way back to the motel in York. He had been lucky tonight, but he knew he couldn’t keep taking those kinds of chances.

CHAPTER 90
    THEY HAD INTENDED TO DRIVE home that evening, but after Alfred’s intrusion, Polly insisted that they stay the night. Max gave Courtney a call, and she agreed to stop by and feed Cat.
    Eventually the celebration ended and the guests were gone. While Polly and Anne said goodbyes, Max and Jack slipped out the back to make sure that the fire pit was out. It was after midnight. Max shivered and Jack pulled her close as they stood by the black circle looking up at the stars. “Almost like when we were in Belize,” said Max as she pressed herself closer to Jack.
    “It could be warmer.”
    “The stars.”
    “I know what you meant,” he said, and at that moment a shooting star flashed across the sky.
    “Quick. Make a wish,” said Max.
    Jack looked up and then silently pulled her just a little bit closer. “Did you make a wish?” asked Max.
    “I did,” he said softly.
    “Hey, you two. It’s freezing out here. Why don’t you come inside?” Polly’s voice broke the silence.
    They hadn’t heard her approach, and the sound of her voice made them jump. They separated as if they had been caught doing something they shouldn’t have.
    “Sorry, we were just looking up at the stars. They’re beautiful,” said Max.
    Polly looked up and with a faraway lilt to her voice she said, “Mal and I used to look up at them all the time, wondering who was out there looking at us.” She sniffled. “Now, maybe he’s out there.”
    Max put her arm around her and then gave her a hug.
    “Oh Polly. I’m so sorry. Let’s go in.” With that Max guided her inside to the kitchen, where Anne was just tying up a bag of garbage.
    “Anne, let me help you with that,” said Max, abandoning Polly.
    “This is the last of it.”
    “At least let me take that out for you,” said Jack, wishing he had done more to help clean up.
    * * *
    “Good morning,” said Polly as Jack walked into the kitchen. He hadn’t really expected her to be up, but all the years of taking care of guests was a hard habit to break.
    “Mornin’. Thank you again for letting us stay. You didn’t have to do that.”
    “No, I did. I can’t help but believe that we have been brought together for a reason.” She handed him a cup of coffee. It was as good as he remembered from their previous visit to the Inn.
    “Thanks.” Jack walked over to the door and looked out over the back to the woods. “Will you keep the Inn open?”
    “I don’t know.” She paused before continuing. “For now, I’ve closed it. I need some time.”
    He turned and looked at her, “If there’s anything that I―uh, we―can do, don’t hesitate to call.”
    “Thanks, Jack.” She turned away and he could see her shoulders shaking slightly as she busied herself at the counter.
    He hated awkward moments like this. He guessed that she was crying. Deep inside he felt the need to comfort her, but he didn’t really know how or what to say so he stood there silently, turned his head, and again looked out toward the woods.
    “I don’t know why, but I have a feeling that I knew Malcom. I know I had never met him, not really, other than finding him, but I just have that feeling.”
    Polly turned toward Jack, “I understand. He had that effect on people. I guess that’s why managing the Inn was so perfect for him.” She paused, “For us.”
    “I lost someone once, a very long time ago. The pain and loneliness was almost unbearable, but a friend rescued me, and because of him, his friends brought me into their lives and pulled me through. You’ll get through and your life will be richer for it.” Jack stopped. He looked at Polly and