Marsha knew about Benny’s past but he never let on that it was eating him alive. Only once did they talk about the beating in length, then in passing, when Benny complained of jaw pain. He was left with a chronic case of TMJ (Temporo-mandibular Joint Syndrome). His dentist fitted him with a bite plate which he wore at night.
Marsha was a pretty girl from a similar background. She had brown eyes and long brown hair that she often wore in a ponytail. Her figure was perfect and shapely. She liked to wear stylish clothes, even to the grocery store. But she was very frugal and didn’t spend money on junk. Marsha was the typical suburban soccer mom who liked being busy with the kids and would often help out at Benny’s office. She studied accounting in college but decided to become a full time wife and mother after she finished her degree. Marsha had lots of friends with children of similar ages. They would meet for lunch and go out a lot. Benny liked to socialize too, but not as much as his popular wife. He mostly kept to himself after he came home from the office. Sure, he had friends, but preferred to do things alone like fishing, watching television, and betting on the ponies. He was also an accomplished chess player, achieving master status. He was a gifted pianist, and was accepted to Indiana University’s prestigious music program. But after a while Benny found it too difficult to play the keyboard since he developed an early case of arthritis in his fingers after they were broken. So he decided to put his talented digits to use as a chiropractor.
It was becoming increasingly difficult for Benny to stay focused on his chiropractic practice while leading a double life as a self-serving sleuth. The most important thing on his mind was finding the other two goons, Gerald Hill and Frank Stram. He went through the motions each day of putting on a chipper face, treating patients, and taking care of his family. Although, he grew less tolerant of pain-in-the-ass Carla. By now she baked something new for him each time she came in for an adjustment. Marsha knew about this, but it didn’t bother her. No contest.
At least twice a week Benny would go out by himself, either to the local chess club which met each Tuesday at the Hammond library, or to the nearby off-track betting parlor just across the state border in Illinois. He usually went to the track on Thursday evenings. So he had two convenient excuses to go out at night, and Marsha never asked any questions.
He already knew what Tommy did with his days, and he knew where Murphy lived. But what did he do for a living? Did Murphy just stay in the house all day? Maybe he had a 9 to 5 job somewhere. Benny had to find out.