Lessons Learned (Sequel to 'Hitman's Creed) – 5

 

 

No one slammed doors in Joey’s face, but it wasn’t until they got to the home of the woman who owned a small dress shop across from the cut-through that he and Glenn learned something which might be helpful.

 

“I was changing out the display in my front window,” she told them once they’d all been seated in her pristine living room. “It was almost closing time which is when I usually do that so there will be something new for people to see in the morning. Anyway, while I was, I saw a car I didn’t recognize. Well not a car really, or maybe it was. It looked like a car but it had a truck backend if that makes sense. I think that’s really why I noticed it.”

 

“An El Camino I bet,” Glenn told Joel before asking her, “What color?”

 

She closed her eyes as if trying to picture it. “It probably used to be yellow but it was so dirty I wouldn’t swear to that.”

 

“Did you see Nate at all?” Joel asked.

 

“He’s that nice young man who always looks so serious with black hair? Oh, that didn’t come out right did it? I mean he has black hair and is always serious except when he’s with that cute Rory.”

 

“That’s him. Was he around then, when you saw the car?”

 

“Not that I saw but I wasn’t paying attention after the man dumped a load of fertilizer in the back of the car, or truck I guess.”

 

Glenn frowned. “Fertilizer?”

 

“Well it looked like one of those big bags of the stuff Mr. Patterson sells so I thought that’s what it was.” She chewed her lip momentarily. “That’s sort of strange though because Mr. Patterson’s store is two blocks away from mine.”

 

Joey shot a look at Glenn before asking her, “Do you remember what the man looked like?”

 

“Vaguely. He was tall, about as tall as Mr. Tanner here, with light brown hair and a plaid shirt. His hair was cut so short my first thought was he had to be a soldier if you know what I mean.”

 

“I do, and it doesn’t ring any bells with me,” Joey said.

 

“He’s not from around here, I can tell you that. I know almost everyone, especially if they’re over twenty, which he was.”

 

Joey chuckled. “You and me both. Is there anything else you remember?”

 

After a moment she shook her head. The two men thanked her for her time and then left.