Eileen Slovak

Chapter Thirty-six: And Then There Were Two

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and locales are products of the author’s imagination. They are used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is coincidental. Copyright © 2024 by Eileen Slovak.

Scott

Early this morning I boarded a Delta Airlines flight from Providence to Fayetteville, Arkansas. To get there I had to fly to Atlanta first, for a total of six hours including the layover. From Fayetteville, it’s a forty-minute drive to Sean’s apartment in Bella Vista. The return trip scheduled for Friday morning is no better. All for a total cost of nine hundred and sixty-seven dollars. This route would put a strain on the strongest relationship.

      To keep expenses down, I’m staying at a Comfort Inn in Bentonville for seventy bucks a night. The Campbell’s haven’t put any guidelines on my expenses, but I’m not a jerk. If I rattle some cages this trip, maybe I’ll get lucky. The mechanic’s been putting me off over the phone so sitting on the guy is my only option. I’ll get him going on evaluating the car. Tomorrow morning, I’m meeting with Officer Hardesty, then calling the Walmart people again to see if anyone can see me. I’m shocked the apartment manager actually passed my information on. Both neighbors are in town and available, and the main reason for my trip. If something’s been missed, neighbors have a knack for filling in gaps.

      The day is half over by the time I get to the apartment, but I catch Mrs. Casey coming back from the grocery store. I introduce myself, giving her a hand with her packages. Once inside her apartment, we talk while she puts her few bags of groceries away.

      “Aren’t you a polite young man? Just like that poor Sean. Would you like some coffee, tea, or something else?”

      “A glass of water would be terrific.”

      “I still can’t believe what a terrible tragedy that was. That poor family. Did he have any siblings?”

      “No ma’am, he was an only child.”

      “Oh.” She gasps, putting her hand to her heart. “Just awful. How can I help.”

      “It may be a long shot. Was there anything unusual you noticed in the days leading up the accident? It happened on Sunday, January 1st. Do you recall anything out of the ordinary?”

      “No. Not that I can remember. I’d just come back from spending the holidays with my daughter, son-in-law and the kids in Branson, Missouri. I don’t fuss over New Year’s anymore at my age. On Sundays, I usually go to church, then out for coffee with friends afterwards.”

      “Did you ever notice any noise in the hallway or any visitors Sean had?”

      “Oh, well yes, he did have a girlfriend or two who visited from time to time. There was a stunning girl, Shannon or Charlotte, something like that. She was tall, pretty with fire engine red hair. She must have been from out of town, always brought a little pull along suitcase with her. But I haven’t seen her in a while. Not since the Fall. There was another girl who came less often, but I think she was just a friend. A troubled type, not very friendly. What time of day was it?”

      “Late afternoon. It was raining, heavy rain.”

      She paused thinking. I didn’t interrupt.

      “Oh, yes, I do remember that day. When I took out my trash, there was a car with the engine running. It was in the parking lot in front of the building. When I came back upstairs, Mr. Zawalski was watching from the opening in stairwell. He was complaining about it because the car was parked in a handicapped spot. From what he could see there wasn’t a placard on the rearview mirror. There was a dark-haired girl sitting in the car. It was pouring that day, so I couldn’t really see who it was. I said, “well, she’s not really parked. She’s only stopped there with the engine running.” We could see she was on her phone. Mr. Zawalski is always going on about something. I don’t pay much attention to him. I went inside to watch my programs. Then, the next day, I heard about poor Sean. That’s all I know.”

      “Thank you, Mrs. Casey. You’ve been extremely helpful.” I hand her my card. “Thank you for the water. If you think of anything else, even if it seems unimportant, please call me anytime. One last thing, which apartment does Mr. Zawalski live in?”

      Brittany wasn’t home yet. I left my card stuck in her door with a note to stop by Sean’s apartment. Then, I went in to start packing things up. He rented the apartment furnished, so the packing was mainly clothes, kitchen items, and personal effects that needed sorting out. Mr. Campbell said to ship the clothes, pictures and personal items. He wants me to bring back any paperwork, mail or items of value with me. I was welcome to review any useful documents. The rest, he said, should be donated.

      I decide to bring the frozen food down to the building manager. No point in wasting it. He seems appreciative. I give him a few more of my business cards. I ask him to call if he thinks of anything at all, even the smallest detail. Then, I take a trip to the local Home Depot for some boxes, packing tape, and a sharpie. When I come back, I hear sounds coming from Brittany’s apartment. Before I can go over, she knocks on Sean’s apartment door.

      “Scott? Mind if I come in?”

      Brittany is medium-height, blonde and cheerleader pretty.

      “Sure. Hi Brittany. It’s nice to meet you. I really appreciate you meeting with me.”

      Sean’s things are in piles all around the apartment. I scramble to clear a place for her to sit.

      “Have a seat.”

      “I’m heartbroken over Sean. He was such a doll.”

      “Were you good friends?”

      “We sort of dated. I was hoping for more.”

      “How so?”

      “Well, when a guy like that comes along, you want to hold onto him. But he was pretty clear, he wanted to move back home. He was really hung up on his ex, Scarlet. I think he was looking for a place back there, right before…” She says, tearing up. I hand her a tissue from a box on the kitchen counter.

      “Thank you.”

      “Were you here that day?”

      “No. I spend two weeks a month at a hospital in Louisiana. They’re so short on nurses, they pay all my travel expenses. It’s great pay, but the back and forth can wear on you. Plus, it’s hard to have a normal relationship.”

       “I’ll bet.”

      “Anyway, I’m glad you’re taking care of this. I can’t imagine what the family is going through. Will you be here long?”

      “I leave tomorrow. But if you think of anything. Give me a call anytime,” I say, seeing her out.  

      “I sure will.” She smiles.