In the Silence, I Hear

Episode 7, Deadly Captain dies.

*** Warning this fictional story contains scenes of violence, murder, and corrupt public officials. ***

Time passes always. The Archer, Arizona Police, suspected Fredrick, the FBI suspected Fredrick, and many believed that Fredrick knew about the shack. Some even said they thought Fredrick was a customer of Joey and Todds. None of them actually suspected him of the deaths and murders of Ralph, Ken, or Jacob. Fredrick was delighted with the Muses’ continued inspiration. The day after sending Eddie off to Portugal, Fredrick dropped a check off at Eddi’s bank for five thousand dollars. Then took the receipt, and bill of sale to an attorney to ensure all the I’s were dotted and T’s crossed, making the sale legitimate. Next, he took the documents to the title company to ensure the sale of the land and building were recorded properly. Eddie’s friends, family, and acquaintances were suspicious and angry. Fredrick moved through the suspicions with grace and ease.

“Right place, right time, I suppose,” Fredrick would often say in response to questions about the shack, the bar, the warning of police about Joey and Todd’s plans.

Within the confession letters that Fredrick wrote for Eddie, the revelation of the involvement of Chief Ham, first in the patronage of the J&T Shack and then in the murder of a young lady, sent tsunami gyrations through the Archer and Arizona law enforcement communities. Fredrick, worried that a confession letter would not be enough, was pleasantly surprised when DNA evidence connected the Chief to the body. Fredrick was having his odd polaroid dreams of different men who would show up at the shack and rape Amber and Sally for money. Every time he had a dream of a new man, he would visit Las Vegas and help Amber and Sally remember enough so they could do another sketch with the FBI’s artists. On one occasion he convinced the girls they should claim the Chief was one of the men that raped them. It was an ongoing affair as the young ladies told their stories and remembered the regular rapists that abused them during their captivity.

Eventually, things cooled down, the waves settled, and the calm of Smallville USA returned to Archer, Arizona. The bar turned out to be a very lucrative establishment and was re-branded to Melpomene’s Place. Over time folks started calling it Mel’s place or Meanies’. Fredrick added live music, stand-up open mic nights, and Karaoke. He met a whole slew of Archer and the surrounding community folks. He noted all the evil characters that haunted his dream space. Then, one night a new face came into Melpomene’s Place. Fredrick was helping behind the bar.

“Evening. What can I get you,” Fredrick asked?

“Beer, let’s go with something fancy; I’m celebrating.”

“Well, we have Kostritzer on tap. It is a German Lager.”

“Sounds like a place to start; I’ll have one of those.”

“What are you celebrating?

“Oh, I just got out of the State Pen.”

“Ah, well, welcome back to reality; the first one is on me,” Fredrick said. “You’re in for a treat tonight, it’s karaoke night.”

“Great. So why do you talk funny? Are you deaf?”

“Yes, since birth, the same genetic mutation that caused my deafness is responsible for my hair and eyes.”

“Randy,” the man said, putting out his hand and looking at Fredrick’s eyes. “Very interesting.”

“Fredrick. Nice to meet you.”

The night went on; patrons showed, karaoke singers sang, Randy had a few beers, and Joleen, Fredrick’s replacement, showed. Fredrick made the rounds, shaking hands and saying good night to the regulars. He was persuaded to sing a song by Ann, the lady he hired to run Karaoke. It gave the crowd a good laugh as, of course, he sang horribly. Finally, after collecting his shoulder holster, gun, and jacket from his office, he stepped out into a cool night and walked to his car. As usual, Fredrick turned to ensure no one was following him every fifteen or so steps. On the occasion of the third turn, just steps from his car, he was surprised to see Randy had exited the bar and was walking toward him. Fredrick unzipped his jacket, removed it, put it in the backseat, and turned. Randy was still walking toward him.

“Randy? Is there a problem?”

“Yes, and no,” he said.

“Well, how about you stop right there and talk to me about the yes part of that,” Fredrick said and reached across his chest, grabbing hold of the pistol.

“Whoa, whoa, nothing like that,” Randy said. He put his hands up, patting the air, his palms facing Fredrick, and stopped walking.

Fredrick relaxed a bit, keeping his hand on the pistol, “Well, let’s have it.

“Funny thing for a minute there right before I got out. Chief Ham, the bastard that put me in there when I was 21. I got to spend some time with old Dick.”

“OK. You have my attention. But I need you to look at me and step a little closer. Get under that light there so I can see your face better,” Fredrick said.

“You see, when he found out that I was about to get out, he came to me. Wanted me to do him a solid when I got home. Offered big money.”

“So the problem is?” Fredrick asked with a shrug.

“So the solid he asked for was murder. I’m not a killer, but I know some, so I entertained his story. He doesn’t like you very much.”

“And there is no problem because you decided not to try and kill me?” Fredrick asked.

“That’s right,” Randy said. “I’m not about doing cops favors, but I like money. But ya know, Dick is a dick so fuck him.”

“So, why is there a problem?”

“Well, when he finds out I’m not taking him up on his offer, there are plenty of others who might,” Randy said.

“So, you are warning me. I have a better idea. If you are willing to take a little risk.”

“What’s that.”

“You hungry?” Fredrick asked.

“Sure.”

“You have a ride?”

“Yes,” Randy responded.

“Meet me at the All-Nighter, will talk, my treat.”

“OK.”

The All-Nighter is a food joint, open twenty-four seven. Its busiest hours are right after all the bars close. They ordered and spoke while waiting on the food.

“So, what is this risky, better idea?” Randy asked.

“You go to the feds, you tell them about Ham’s proposal. Tell them you want to help get him. They will set it up so that he believes you did it, so he will get you the money. Once the money is exchanged, they will charge him with conspiracy on top of the other stuff.”

“That isn’t risky; it’s like throwing rocks at the Grim Reaper,” Randy laughed. “You’re bold.”

“Wait, you didn’t let me finish. Do you know someone on the inside who would do me a solid? That way, the wrath of Ham would be extinguished before he could focus it on you.” Fredrick said.

“Bolder than I imagined,” Randy said.

“Look, he helped kill that girl, and he was sexually abusing her and others. He deserves to die. If you expose him for the murder for hire plot first, we screw him twice.”

“Let me think about it,” Randy said.

They ate and went their separate ways. That night in the dark silence of his dream space he heard, “Mr. Bran would you like another drink?”

“Yes please,” Eddie Bran spoke.

Fredrick heard the sound of waves, people talking, and children playing. “Was Eddie relaxing on a beach drinking?” Fredrick asked himself. “I will have to do something about that,” Fredrick told the countless unseen witnesses of his black dreamscape.

His dream space faded to gray flashed white, then was black again. An image like a polaroid materialized. He saw sally; she was crying, sitting on a bed, knees to her chest, and a medication bottle sat on the nightstand.

He woke, sat up, and sent Sally a text, “Good evening, young lady; I was thinking of you. I hope you are well. Would you like to get breakfast? I am flying into Vegas this morning.”

“Oh, um, sure, I guess. When?” She texted back.

“It will be a little later in the morning. I will let you know when I arrive.

“OK, nice. Looking forward to it,” she said.

Fredrick then texted back and forth with Amber, including her in the plans for breakfast. Next, he showered, dressed, went to the airport, and purchased a ticket on the next flight to Las Vegas. While waiting, he booked a hotel room in Vegas, and let his bar manager know he would be out of town for a couple of days. As he waited for boarding, he received a text from Randy.

“I’ll do it; The solid will set you back seven, can you do that?” Randy’s text said.

“Works for me. When will you talk to the three amigos about our friend,” Fred messaged?

“I will go first thing in the morning.”

“Great, keep in touch,” Fredrick pressed send.

Over the next month, Fredrick stayed in touch with Sally and Amber, helping them as best he could. They all celebrated as the news announced that Chief Ham had been charged with an additional count of conspiracy to commit murder. Fredrick was happy again when it was announced that Chief Ham had been killed in a prison brawl. The inmate accused of murdering the Chief was claiming self-defense. He was already serving a life sentence.

On the day of the funeral, Fredrick went to the Ham family home, broke into the garage, and went through the boxes of Richard’s belongings. Finding a coffee cup that read Chief and had a police badge on it, he took it and left.

Later that day, he booked a flight to Portugal. That evening, in his basement trophy room, surrounded by his collection of items from the dead, he reclined in his favorite chair and slept.

To Be Continued

Next up, Episode 8, Cell phone pig.