All in the Family

 

When the Highway Patrol cruiser dropped off Maura and Griff, Johnny and Cap sat side-by-side on the front porch of the Pine Hollow General Store, leisurely rocking and conversing between sips of sarsaparilla as they watched the crime scene techs work around the two dead bodies, marking shell casings, taking pictures, and collecting blood samples.

Mac’s tow truck followed with the Rubicon hooked up, still dripping oil and coolant.

“Hey, Griff,” Cap called out, “you need any more antiques? I got me some repairs that need funding.”

Griff just shook his head wearily.

“Papa Johnny, you told me you were fine.” Maura pointed at her grandfather as she skirted the dead man and his blood on the steps to get up on the porch.

“Well, I am fine,” Johnny said. He turned to Cap and asked, “Do I not look fine?”

“The picture of health,” answered Cap.

“What are you doing here?” Maura stood in front of Johnny with her fists firmly planted on her hips.

Griff leaned against the cruiser’s rear quarter panel to watch.

“Did I not mention my inclinations? I distinctly recall doing so.” Johnny took a pull of root beer, then muttered to himself, “Expect a man to leave his fellow Marine high and dry? Semper fi, darlin’. Semper fi.”

“It’s a damn tragedy how soon the young uns forget nowadays,” Cap said.

“You could have got hurt,” Maura said. “You could have got killed.”

“Oh, yeah? Maybe you should get that there fella’s opinion.” Johnny pointed to the man he shot dead laying in the middle of the road. “He just might beg to differ.”

Griff stepped up on the porch and put his hand on Maura's shoulder. “There’s no winning with him. You know that.”

“Besides, I needed some legal advice,” Cap said.

“And I am a lawyer, you might recall,” Johnny said. “A damn fine one, if I do say so myself. Wouldn’t you agree, Mr. Crowe?”

“That and that…” Maura pointed at the dead bodies, “…do not look like legal advice.”

“She’s got a point there, Johnny,” Griff said.

“It’s true,” said Cap. “I needed to dispose of some property.”

“What property?” Maura turned her anger on Cap.

“My nephew left me some shares of stock I don't particularly want,” Cap said.

“Nephew?” Griff asked.

“One Mr. Donald Wallace,” Johnny said. “Recently demised.”

“Son…of…a…bitch…” Griff slapped his forehead and turned away to lean on the porch railing.

“Just look at the trouble it brung me,” Cap said, pointing to his broken display window, smashed screen door, then the dead man at the bottom of the steps. “I don’t need this. I live here ‘cause it’s quiet. Got my fill of excitement in ‘Nam.”

Griff looked back over his shoulder. “Hornet Investment Group?”

“Fifteen percent of said same,” Johnny said. “A chunk of which is surely gonna make the day of a certain restauranteur and her family up in Maysville. About twenty, twenty-five million dollars’ worth.”

“A chunk?” Griff asked.

“A certain Mr. Lance Baylor, Esquire, of Chicago, Illinois, expressed an interest acquiring a portion. Evidently, he is of the opinion that Mr. Nickolson’s heir will make a go of it.”

“Son-of-a-bitch…” Griff moaned.

“And then…” Johnny said.

“Then?” Maura asked.

“This fella, here,” Cap said, pointing at Johnny beside him. “Bought the rest.”

“Bought?” Griff asked.

“I ain’t a damn fool,” Cap replied. “Ain’t giving it all away.”

“Papa?”

“Not for me, darling. For you.” Johnny winked at Maura. “Perhaps the time has arrived to give consideration to a career change.”

Maura looked at him in shock.

“Well, think on it some, why don’t you.” Johnny pointed across the street to Mac’s where the tow truck was lowering Maura’s Jeep. “Least ways it will come in handy for some unexpected expenses.”

“Mr. Leonard?” A Highway Patrolman sauntered up to the bottom of the steps. “I think we’ve got everything we need from you for now.”

“And my 1911?” Johnny asked. “There’s a certain sentimental value to it.”

“You’ll get it back when the lab is done with the ballistics testing.”

“Thank you, officer.”

“You are free to go.” The officer walked away.

“Now, how are we going to get home?” Maura asked.

“The El Dorado is parked out back,” Johnny said. “I’ll get it.”

“No. Give me the keys.” Maura held out her hand. “I’m driving.”

“Now, darling, as much as I love you, your tendency towards reckless abandon on public roadways, gives me pause.” Johnny looked across the street at the broken-down Rubicon.

“I have to side with Johnny on this one,” Griff said.

“Fine, then.”

 

***~~~***

 

Griff only had to endure five minutes of the tense silence inside the El Dorado as Johnny pulled out of Pine Hollow before he fell asleep in the back seat, too tired to pay attention to the warning of the little voice inside his head.

The next thing he knew it was dark, and they had pulled to a stop in front of Christopher’s Bed and Breakfast in Newport.

“I took the liberty of booking you a room,” Johnny said with a sly grin. “No need to hide out at Maura’s abode any more.”

“Thanks.”

“You want some company?” Maura scowled at Johnny, then turned and looked into the back seat with a defiant look on her face. “I ain’t tired yet.”

Griff looked at Maura, then at the deep frown on Johnny’s face. “I don’t know…It just doesn’t seem right—you know, being a house of God and all.”

“Former house of God,” Maura said.

“Still, baptisms, weddings, funerals…”

“Ain’t you two had your fill of tempting fate and the devil his own self for one day?” Johnny asked.

“Fine, then.”

“Thanks, Johnny,” Griff said getting out.

“Oh, no. Thank you.”

 

***~~~***