Jack Beale 00 - Killer Run

while most are not.”
    As he took his seat, Alfred slowly turned his head toward Jack and glowered. He did not want to have this conversation. He did not like these people. They were stupid, they’d never understand, and he didn’t have the time. Shifting his gaze to Max he said, “Quilts have been in existence for a very long time. Some tell stories, some have hidden meaning in the stitching, and some are purely decorative. It takes an expert to be able to tell the value.”
    “And I suppose you are an expert?” chimed in Tom. Again he seemed to hit a nerve.
    Alfred’s look hardened again as he turned toward Tom. “I am,” is all he said.
    Max surveyed the three men: Tom in the center, Alfred to her left, and Jack nearest the door on the right.
    “Well, I think that’s fascinating,” she said. Looking at Alfred she asked, “So tell me more about how you know if a quilt is valuable. What would I have to look for?”
    Jack noticed that Alfred perked up and began focusing on her when she said this, ignoring Jack and Tom.
    Alfred started to open his mouth as if to answer Max’s question. Instead, he picked up his wine glass and drank what remained in one large gulp.
    “Another?” asked Max.
    He nodded yes .
    “Are you finished with your salad?”
    He mumbled ‘yes’ and pushed his salad plate toward her. She removed it, and then she began to pour his new glass of wine.
    Jack and Tom watched her place the new glass of wine in front of him. They were waiting to hear what Alfred had to say about quilts when the front door’s bells clingled.

CHAPTER 98
    FOUR HEADS TURNED TOGETHER and stared in silence at the entrance to the bar. It felt like forever before Mark Malloy turned the corner and faced those four faces. The first thing he said was “Thomas …” The rest of his words were lost when Alfred began coughing and choking, to the extent that he even spewed some of his wine onto the bar. He nearly dropped his glass as he rushed back to the men’s room.
    Alfred’s reaction surprised everyone. Heads turned back and forth as they watched Alfred’s retreat.
    Tom spoke first, “Mark.”
    “Hey, Tom. Jack. Max. Sorry for that.”
    “Don’t be,” replied Tom.
    “That him?”
    “Yeah, it is. When you came in he was about to tell us about what makes quilts valuable.”
    “Good. I don’t think he knows me,” said Malloy. “Let’s keep it that way for the time being.” Mark took the seat next to Tom on Alfred’s side.
    “I thought you wanted to question him?” said Max.
    “I do, Max, but I also think that he’s unstable enough that perhaps in a less formal setting, I might find out more.”
    Max wasn’t completely sold on the idea, but with Tom, Mark, and Jack in the room, she at least felt somewhat reassured. “Something to drink?” she asked Mark.
    He noticed Tom’s mug and said, “How ’bout a coffee?”
    “Sure,” said Max. She walked toward the kitchen.
    “What do you think set him off?” asked Tom.
    Looking at Tom, Malloy said, “You.”
    “Me? What the hell are you talking about.”
    “Your name.”
    Tom and Jack looked at him with puzzled expressions on their faces.
    He went on. “When I came in I saw all of you sitting at the bar. I had an idea. You know I have this theory that Alfred isn’t really Alfred, but rather his twin brother, Thomas, who supposedly died, so I decided to call you Thomas to see what would happen.”
    “Okay, so.”
    “So, he’s pretty unstable. When I said your name, look what happened. I think that’s what triggered his reaction.”
    Neither Tom nor Jack said anything.
    “Here you go.” Max placed the steaming cup in front of Mark.
    “Thanks.”
    “That’s a little thin, don’t you think?” said Tom. He stared intently at Mark.
    “Maybe, but with what I’ve learned, it’s not so crazy.”
    Before Mark could explain more, the men’s room door opened and Alfred came out. His face was flushed and he was still coughing and blowing his nose. All four heads turned to watch him. As soon as he looked up and saw then watching him, he spun around and disappeared down the hallway. The next sound they heard was the fire door slamming shut.

CHAPTER 99
    MAX JUST STARED IN DISBELIEF . Mark ran out the fire door while Tom sprinted toward the front door. Jack simply went to Max. As he wrapped her in his arms he could feel her shaking.
    “It’ll be okay. They’ll get him.”
    But they didn’t.
    “What do you mean he’s gone?” asked Max