“We didn’t hear you; at least I didn’t; I wonder if Hazel did? She seemed to tire early in our trek and I convinced Eleanor to let her take a break. Maybe Hazel thought you were closer than you actually were. Who knows?”
“I doubt if she heard us Roger. Once we had our direction, we got off the gravel path. It was the only way to muffle our approach. When we started our descent, we could see the shelter and the three of you walking towards it. We came crashing down then but we were too late. The roar of the gun filled our ears. I saw you roll out from under Hazel and take off running. Eleanor was ready to fire when Shirley brought her to the ground. I ran after you and would have caught you sooner if it hadn’t been for the ballet flats.”
“Like hell you would have. I wasn’t called wind speed by my track and field mates for nothing.”
His attempt at humour was as weak as his smile.
“Did Hazel say anything to you Roger to give you a hint of what she had planned to do?”
She watched his face closely.
“I can’t believe I had forgotten. It was a few seconds before Eleanor took aim and fired. I remember the intensity in her voice. She said something like, ‘I’m tired, and it’s time to go. There are people waiting for me.’”
“I thought she would have. She chose it freely Roger and she wanted you to know it.”
They ordered another round, and raised their glasses in a toast to Hazel.
“I won’t be going back to the station with you, Roger.”
“Hooking off are you? Don’t worry, I won’t tell.”
“No, it’s not that. I won’t be back at the station for quite some time.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I need some time to sort things.”
“Sort things? Are you sick or something? Is it your parents, or your brothers? What’s going on?”
“No, I’m not ill and my family is fine. But there are problems. Problems I need to address. Problems I’m not ready to tell you about yet. I signed off on the papers this morning.”
“Six months?” He sighed. “If it has to be, it has to be. Is there anything I can do?”
“Thanks, if there is, I’ll let you know.”
“Come back to us, Kate.”
“I’m making no promises. There’s law school, maybe a different path to follow, I don’t know. So, off you with now before I cry or something.”
She watched him walk away and tears ran down her face. She gave him enough time to drive away before leaving the bar. She drove out of the parking lot, turned left and headed out of the city.
The authorities at the prison knew her well. No problem in being allowed to visit Eleanor. She looked thinner since Kate had last seen her. She sat on the edge of the bed staring into space - comatose. According to the prison guard who escorted her to the cell, she hadn’t spoken a word since she sent to prison to await her trial.
Kate stared at the woman who killed so many people. The look on her Eleanor’s face reminded her of Anthony Perkins’ face at the end of the film, Psycho. One difference though. Kate knew Eleanor wouldn’t hesitate to swat the fly.
11
