Endpoints and alibis

Endpoints and alibis – The retrieval of Jupiter’s heart.

“He talked about you all the time.” She sighs quietly then cackles out a harsh laugh. “You ain’t got no idea do ya?” Again with the cackle. Things are deteriorating. Going downhill fast, she thinks. Patience. There’s no way they can back out now. It’s too late for alibis, or to turn back. Jupiter watches Eileen intently. She’s behind the two way mirror, so there’s no way the laughing woman in the other room can know she’s here. However, somehow, she knows.

Eric hands the baby to Emma and walks to the front door. It’s summer now so the curtains are drawn back. Eric can see the delivery man on the porch. Odd, he thinks. They hadn’t ordered anything. Absently, he picks up the gun and tucks it into the waistband of his pants. A habit he started since the day they lost Callisto.

The package is small and flat. Not an envelope. However, it’s something more substantial. Additionally, it is from Ireland. Eric studies the return address. It’s a business address. Furthermore, it’s addressed to him, so he begins opening it while standing at the door. After removing the wrapping paper, he discovers a wooden box. The box is about the size of a standard envelope. It is covered in ornate carvings and has no hasp or locking mechanism.

After a minute or two he begins turning the box in different directions and that’s when he discovers the seam. Once he realizes the box is meant to be opened in some way, it only takes a few more seconds. The box slides open by pressing both sides in opposite directions. In fact, it slides open easily. The key inside the box is obviously old. Eric picks it up and examines its etchings. It is too large for a safety deposit box. Very strange, he thinks, and returns to Emma and the baby. Maybe she will have some idea what this is about.

The Retrieval of Jupiter’s Heart

Former Detective Laraby sits in his cell awaiting the afternoon dinner call. Two more years of this and he may just lose his mind. Everyone in this place despises him. Even the guards watch him with disgust. He hasn’t been attacked yet. That is a lucky thing. The operative word is, yet. Laraby knows it’s only a matter of time. The bell rings and he prepares to leave his cell. He will make it fast and return just as fast. Best keep to himself as much as possible.

His cuisine is the same predictable slop and he hurriedly eats. Furthermore, Laraby doesn’t look up or around. He eats quickly and quietly. In fact, if he could be invisible, he would be. It takes him all of ten minutes to finish his food. Then he beats a hasty retreat back to his cell. The one place he doesn’t have to watch his back. Two years. It’s lucky really. Considering all the charges against him. However, they went easy on him. He was privy to many of Chief Fred Jones’ misdeeds. Furthermore, he knew where much of the evidence lay buried.

He knew where most of it was buried, but not all. Laraby doubts anyone knew where Chief Fred Jones kept all the skeletons in his closet. However, all of that drops from his mind immediately when he returns to his cell. He has a visitor. In fact, it looks as though he has a new live in room mate. Laraby looks at all his belongings strewn across the floor. Everything in his bed is on the floor. Furthermore, a new person lies quietly in his bunk. A menacing voice speaks quietly but very clearly. “I don’t like to be disturbed when I’m napping. Keep it quiet Laraby…or else.”

Alibis

“She doesn’t know who’s here. There’s no way to see through the two way glass.” The detective’s voice is confident and matter of fact. He is trying to interpret Jupiter’s silence. However, her thoughts on this one are her own. This woman wounded her family. This woman is the reason Jupiter lost her son. Her thoughts are not merely of revenge, but desolation. It is impossible that it took so long to find this woman. And this, after they had her already. Of course, the deep corruption of Chief Fred Jones notwithstanding. In fact, it might take years to uncover all the sinister things the disgraced Chief was involved in.

The insane woman behind the glass cackles again and looks at the two way mirror. Looks through the two way mirror. Jupiter does not feel deceived. Although Eileen knows she is here, the sooner they get this over with the better. Jupiter will have this as the last time she knows of Eileen.

Endpoints

Jupiter looks at the detective and asks a question of her own. “How much more do you need from her before you put her away?” She eyes the detective directly. This is not a debate nor should it be a hard question. Their history shows that something needs to be done. Benjamin Thomas may have had questionable business dealings, but the fact remains that everything done by Eileen and chief Fred Jones was intentional harm. At the very least.

She watches the detective intently. Not because she waits for a decision. There will be no more alibis. The decision will come immediately after Jupiter leaves the police station. She will make one phone call. What she watches for now, is more corruption. Experience has taught her that not everything is as it appears to be.

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