Last Chance Harvey-Part 15 (Blogophilia 36.11)

One by one, the items are ticked off the mental list: two changes of clothes, camera, radio, and wet-suit. The important stuff. The obvious ones the cops would want. Had he forgotten anything? Everything else could wait for the warrant, if there was one. As the lid closed, a clanking noise like an old anchor chain startled him.

The Toyota had never been right since the drunk bitch hit him coming out of the store. No insurance, either. Luckily Tom knew where a one with a blown motor was. $200, a case of beer, and a weekend made it driveable again. It looked like crap between the bondo and three colors of paint, but it worked. He didn’t go anywhere anyway, at least until today.

With one last round of the cabin, he double checked the water and gas was off. As he walked out the door, he noticed a picture laying next to the lamp. It was of Corrine sitting in a chair on the Last Chance with Harvey just behind her. He had found it when looking for the radio equipment. He couldn’t remember when he took it, though. Was it the night of the party or before? Didn’t matter, it brought focus back.

And focus was what Jim needed. Without thinking, it slipped into the jacket pocket as he headed out the door. Should he stay or should he go? Never in his wildest dreams did he think it would have turned out this way. All he did was dive a wreck. The cops either knew about it or will find out and he didn’t want to talk about it. The rental house was his way out. He had bought a few years ago out of foreclosure for peanuts. Some thrift store furniture and cheap rugs let him price it cheap and it generally stayed full. The income was enough to pay for his boat fuel.

It had been vacant for a couple of months. The last girl took off with a boyfriend without notice, but she was nice enough to pay the last month. Given it was over the county line, it would make finding him a little harder.

It was close enough to Naked Lady he could keep an eye on the salvage operation. That was convenient. Jerry finally fessed up he was the one who had ordered the boat. The story given to the Administrator was Lloyd owed money for repairs when he died and he needed to be made whole. Jerry even placed a lien on the boat’s title as proof. The guy bought it. Maybe there was something valuable there. It would have been nice if he had been given Jim a heads up it was coming, though.

Was there anything of value? Other than the skull, there didn’t seem to be anything. Harvey Lloyd wasn’t the kind of guy who didn’t get paid. Everything would have been sold or traded. Except for Corrine. She was inconvenient and a threat. There had to be an answer and he was going to find out. Jerry warned him not to be obsessed. It would only attract attention. They agreed he would keep some distance.

But that was a lie.

The Toyota caught on the first try. The sun in his eyes made a good cover for the tears.

Fifteen minutes later, he arrived at a dirt driveway leading into the woods. Pulling around back, he tossed a camouflage tarp over the car. The land around the rental house was controlled by the Power Company and undeveloped, but he couldn’t be too careful. A path led down the hillside to a cove with a landing. If necessary, he could get the john boat and bring it over. But not now. It was too dangerous.

The rest of the day was spent setting up house. The Mexican ladies had let the place spotless. Best investment he ever made. They kept both cabins neat and the daughter was good looking. He made a mental note to give a tip when the service bill came. It was after supper when he sat on the church pew on the back porch. It had been Corrine’s and somebody had given it to him when they cleaned out her place. Haint Blue with pinprick stars, it gave some comfort.

He pulled out her picture and smiled. The dragonfly caught the flash, drawing his eyes into the decolletage, such as it was. The memory of the Chanel she wore tickled his nose. He wondered if she was as good in bed. It was a memento mori of a something that never was.

As he stared, a chill came over him. The angle of Harvey’s hands on her shoulders gave the impression he was about to strangle her. The cold-hearted orb in the sky lit up his eyes. It was the answer.

Brave Helios,wake up your steeds. Bring the warmth the countryside needs.

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Topic-Tyler Myrth

Pic-Rutger Siskens

Pic guesses: Skull (in blog) Memento Mori (in blog), cracked, drinking cup, eggshells, eyes without a face, thousand yard stare.