Jack Beale 00 - Killer Run

turning back, he looked at Salad Man. Sure that he was the reason for the women’s behavior, Jack asked him the same question he had asked Max.
    “Did you see the sunset?”
    “I did. It reminded me of a fire out on the water.”
    “I hadn’t thought about it like that, but you’re right, it did,” said Jack.
    Max returned with pepper mill in hand, brushed past Jack, and handed it to Salad Man, not even offering to grind it for him. Jack noticed and said, “Max, could I see you for a moment?”
    She didn’t say anything but she walked out of the bar toward the kitchen. Jack followed.
    As soon as they were out of sight from the bar, Jack said to her, “What’s wrong? You’re acting really strange.”
    “Jack, it’s him.”
    “Who’s ‘him’?”
    “The guy at the bar, with the salad. He’s the guy who wanted the quilt. He’s the guy who the detective from Ipswich called about. He’s the murderer.”
    Her words came out in a rush while Jack just stared at her. “Max, you’re acting crazy.”
    “No, I’m not. He’s the guy.”
    “Fine. He’s the guy who was interested in the quilt. Big deal.”
    “And the cop from Ipswich is looking for him.”
    “So give him a call.”
    “I can’t.”
    “Why not?”
    “Because.”
    “Max, you’re acting crazy. If he’s the guy, make the call.”
    “But what if he’s the murderer? If I call, I could be next.”
    “Now you’re being silly. Come here.” Jack pulled her close, took her in his arms, and whispered, “Max, there is nothing to worry about. I’ll stay here and talk to him. Everything will be all right. Go make the call.”
    Jack returned to his seat while Max ran upstairs to the office.
    Across the bar, Jack saw the light on the phone go on, indicating that someone in the building was using the line.
    “You from around here?” Jack asked Alfred as he looked at him carefully.
    “No, just passing through.”
    “How’s the salad?”
    “Good.”
    It was obvious that Alfred didn’t want to talk, but Jack kept at him. “Do I know you? You look familiar.”
    “I don’t think so.” Alfred took another bite.
    “Name’s Jack.”
    “Nice to meet you. Alfred.”
    Jack nodded while glancing at the phone. The light was still on. “Max, she’s really something isn’t she?”
    “Who?”
    “Max, the bartender.”
    “Oh. Yeah. She seems nice.”
    “She’s more than nice.” Jack paused and glanced at the phone again. The he looked back at Alfred and added, “She’s very special. Especially to me.”
    Alfred looked a bit antsy, and Jack wasn’t sure whether or not he should back off. Alfred looked down at his salad and said, “I was in the other day. I’m an antiques dealer. We got to talking and she told me about her interest in quilts.”
    “Yeah,” said Jack. “She gets going on a kick and there’s no stopping her.”
    “She told me about a quilt she had. I’m interested. Do you think she’d sell?”
    Something in the back of Jack’s mind told him not to reveal the fact that Max no longer had the quilt. He simply said, “Doubt it. It’s not hers.”
    From the corner of his eye, saw that the light on the phone was still lit. Meanwhile, it was clear that Alfred’s anxiety was increasing.
    Abruptly Alfred stood and said, “Listen, I’ve got to get going.”
    Jack looked at the phone: still lit. There was no way he would be able to keep Alfred there any longer. It seemed the best he could do was try to get a description of Alfred’s car.
    Nervously, Alfred glanced around for Max. Seeing that she hadn’t returned, he pulled some cash out of his pocket, left it on the bar, and rushed out. Jack rose to follow, but as he reached the door, he literally bumped into Leo, Ralph, and Paulie, who were heading in from the cold.
    Paulie reached out a hand to steady him. “Hey, there, Jack! What’s the rush? No point zipping out to freeze your ass off at this time of year.”
    Yanking the knob, Jack ignored him. But by the time he reached the parking lot, Alfred had disappeared. Back at the bar, the light on the phone finally went out.

CHAPTER 80
    BY THE TIME MAX CAME DOWN from the office, Alfred was already gone, his half empty plate and money on the bar where he had just been sitting. “Where is he?” Max asked Jack, glancing around.
    “He’s gone. Just left. I tried to follow him, get a description of his car, but he was too quick.” He watched the expression on her face change. When she had walked back into the