Jack Beale 00 - Killer Run

people who knew him when he was growing up, and from that information he has been able to piece together a working theory.”
    Jack said nothing as his mind raced through possible scenarios.
    “Jack, you still there?”
    “Oh, sorry. I was just thinking.”
    “Well, listen, you and Max be careful. By all accounts―and certainly from his behavior―he is unpredictable.”
    Jack interrupted him and said, “Don’t you mean nuts and possibly dangerous ?”
    “Your words, not mine. But off the record, probably correct. Hopefully Malloy will get more answers in the next day or so and, who knows, maybe we’ll get lucky.”
    Cat was now awake and had decided that it was breakfast time. She began talking loudly and incessantly, demanding to be fed.
    “Is that Cat howling?” asked Tom.
    “Yeah, she wants to be fed. She has a way of letting you know what she wants and when.”
    “I guess! So back to Alfred, we know that (a) he wants that quilt, and (b) he must be getting desperate if he was willing to show up at the Inn last night.”
    “True.”
    “And Polly has the quilt. Right? Max returned it, didn’t she?”
    “Sort of.”
    “What do you mean sort of?”
    “Max did give Polly the quilt, but then Polly gave it back to her as we were leaving. It’s here.”
    Tom was silent for a moment. “Alfred wouldn’t know any of that. He still thinks that Max has the quilt. You and Max be careful. I’m going to call Malloy and let him know that you still have the quilt.” He paused.
    “Tom? What are you thinking?” Jack asked. His voice betrayed his suspicion.
    “Nothing.”
    “No. You are thinking something, and I don’t like what you’re thinking.”
    “I don’t know what you mean.”
    “Yes, you do. I know you Tom, as well as you know me. You’re thinking that if somehow we can get Alfred to come after the quilt, then we can catch him.”
    Max walked in just as Jack said “catch him.”
    “Catch who?” she asked.
    “Listen, I gotta’ go. Max just got up. Talk to you later. Time to feed Cat.” As he reached to hang up, he thought he heard Tom beginning to say something, but he couldn’t be sure.
    Cat jumped into his lap, looked him in the eyes, and “Mrowed” loudly.
    “Good morning, Max,” Jack said.
    “Who was that on the phone?”
    “Tom.”
    “What did he want?”
    “He just wanted to make sure that you were okay after the other night.”
    “I’m sure.” The sarcasm in her voice was less than subtle. “He was talking to you about catching Alfred, wasn’t he?”
    “He was.” Jack knew it would be pointless to try to deceive her.
    “What’s he want to do?”
    “I don’t know; he didn’t say.” That wasn’t entirely true, but it was close enough for the moment.
    “Mrowh,” Cat said again.
    Jack tried to change the subject. “I need coffee and Cat needs food.”
    “You’re not getting off that easily, Jack Beale.” Max followed him and Cat to the kitchen.
    * * *
    There wasn’t much time to discuss the phone call because Jack had offered to help Courtney winterize Ben’s. Max was still dressing for her day shift as he headed out the door. Though cold it was a clear day, rare for late November, and he intended to take full advantage of it as he left for Ben’s. There was much to do in preparation for winter, but if he was lucky, maybe he would even be able to get in a run before dark.
    Jack was putting the last of the deck furniture into his truck to haul to the storage trailer when Tom pulled up.
    “Hey, Jack. I thought that was you.”
    “Tom. Tell me you found him.”
    “No such luck. But I did talk to Malloy again and he’s going to drive up here later this afternoon.”
    “Why?”
    “Didn’t say, but it’s a safe bet that it has to do with Alfred.”
    “What the hell is with that guy?”
    “Don’t know, but until we get him, be careful and keep an eye on Max.”
    Jack nodded as Tom drove away.

CHAPTER 94
    JACK TOSSED THE FINAL CHAIR into his truck and drove around back to the storage trailer. The clouds were beginning to form and the morning’s clear skies would soon be a memory. As he pushed shut the steel door of the trailer, he heard Max’s voice call out.
    “It’s freezing out here. You want some coffee?”
    He looked over toward the back door of Ben’s, waved, and called back, “I’ll be in, in a minute.”
    He didn’t really need to warm up―his exertions were taking care of that―but a break would be welcome. He drove around front