Jack Beale 00 - Killer Run

his coffee, he took a sip. With all of the chit-chat, this was his first real sip. He savored its warmth as it slid down his throat. When the hot liquid reached his empty stomach, he felt its warmth slowly spread.
    That moment of serenity was broken by Dave. “Dude, this is great. I can’t think of the last time coffee was ready when I got up. And a choice for breakfast! Sausage or bacon!” Then, gesturing toward the woods, he added, “Beautiful.”
    Jack and Dave had been friends for a long time and while Dave appreciated a good run in the woods or a day fishing out on the ocean, he rarely commented on nature’s beauty. This was new.
    Jack looked over at him, unable to hide his surprise. “What?”
    “It’s beautiful,” repeated Dave.
    “What’s beautiful?” Max’s voice made him turn his head. The door opened and she and Patti both stepped out onto the porch, cradling cups of tea in their hands to ward off the chill.
    “Good morning,” said Jack. Max sidled up to him and leaned against him without releasing her two-handed grip on her teacup. He put his arm around her and gave her a kiss on the top of her head. She seemed to purr.
    Patti didn’t even pause as she left the kitchen. A smile broke out on her face. Silently she walked past the three of them, set her tea on the railing, and walked down the stairs and out into the backyard. Her natural enthusiasm left a trail of footprints in the dew-covered grass as she walked toward a sunny spot. Once in the sun, she stopped, spread her arms wide, closed her eyes, tilted her head back, and slowly turned as if in celebration. After one revolution she stopped and began to run back. “I need my camera, it’s so beautiful,” she said as she neared the porch. But as she reached the first step, the kitchen door opened and Polly announced that breakfast was ready. The pictures could wait and Max’s question remained unanswered.

CHAPTER 35
    “I CAN’T BELIEVE IT!” Max cried out, standing in front of the framed letter. “This is really the letter that inspired your book?”
    Polly nodded yes. “A copy. The originals are in a safe deposit box.”
    “I loved your book. I just finished it. So is the quilt real or is it made up?”
    Polly blushed. “You know, I get asked that all the time. It’s both.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “Well, I used elements of two different quilts to make up the quilt in the story.”
    “Really. Can we see them?”
    “Sure. They’re upstairs. Come.” As she led the way she continued. “The one quilt is hanging in The Captain’s Room. Its panels depict a story, but the other one gave me the idea for hiding the information. It’s packed away.”
    “I’ll join you in a minute,” Patti said. “I want to grab my camera for those outdoor shots first.”
    As Patti continued past the placard to the door marked The Captain’s Room, Max thought, “How cool.”
    Polly twisted the knob and pushed the door open. The room was dark. She snapped the light on, walked across to the window, and pulled the drapes open. Max followed. “I keep them closed in all the rooms when they’re not in use to try to keep the sun from fading the quilts too much.”
    The quilt was hanging on the wall. Bright-colored panels depicting the story of a ship’s voyage. “It’s beautiful,” said Max, “but not at all what I expected.”
    “That’s what everyone says.”
    “Hey Max,” Patti’s voice broke the silence. Both Polly and Max turned toward her voice, “I’m going down to try and get some pictures out back.”
    “Patti, wait a sec. Come look at this. It’s pretty incredible.”
    She walked in and joined Max in front of the quilt. Max said, “Isn’t this cool?”
    “What?”
    “The quilt. Have you ever seen anything like it?”
    Patti stood and looked at the quilt. It was obvious that she was humoring Max and that she really didn’t feel like looking at the quilt. She wanted to get outside. Then, as she looked at the quilt, she raised her camera and began shooting. After the first few clicks of the shutter, Max gave her a quick nudge and whispered, “Don’t you think you should ask first?”
    She stopped and turned to Polly, “I’m sorry. Do you mind if I take some pictures?”
    “Of course not.” Polly stepped toward a lamp that was on a small table. “Would you like some more light?”
    “No, not really. This is fine.” Patti continued snapping away. After several more pictures, Patti lowered her camera and