Author Anon

“Carl,” says Floyd into the phone. “It’s me. Floyd. The police were around asking questions. They knew about our meeting last night.”

“What did you tell them?” asks Carl.

“Nuttin’,” says Floyd. “I told them I wouldn’t answer more questions.”

“What questions did you answer?” asks Carl, angrily.

“They asked about the night Cole was knocked out,” says Floyd. “I told them I didn’t know nuttin’.”

“So why are you panicking?” asks Carl.

“Because they tricked me into saying I never go to work drunk, and I was drunk when I was fired,” says Floyd.

“What did you say to that?” asks Carl.

“I didn’t answer,” says Floyd.

“So now they’ll really suspect something,” says Carl. He sighs, then turns around and looks out the window. He sees an unfamiliar car parked across the street. “I’ve got to go. I think they’re on to me, now.”

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“I think he’s seeing someone,” says Tracy.

“Who?” asks Jason.

“I don’t know,” says Tracy. “We haven’t been paying much attention to him.”

“I can’t believe he could be seeing someone so soon,” says Mark.

“It’s not right,” says Marie. “He hardly even grieved.”

“I say ‘more power to him’,” says David. “What do you guys know about how he must feel? If he’s lonely, you should be glad he’s found a new companion.”

“That’s outrageous!” says Mark. “I would be happy for him if I knew this woman isn’t after his money.”

“How do you know she’s after his money?” asks David.

“He’s ripe for the picking,” says Jason. “If she wasn’t after him for money, why does he have to be so secretive?”

“Maybe because he doesn’t want to have to answer these stupid questions,” says David. “And we have no proof that he’s seeing someone.”

“We’ll have to keep a close eye, then,” says Tracy.

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“I hope you’re comfortable, Nicholas,” says Carol.

“Thank you, Mrs. Steele,” says Nicholas. “I don’t think I can ever repay your generosity.”

“You just concentrate on getting better and getting back to work,” says Carol.

“I’ll do that,” says Nicholas. “I can’t believe how a person can be struck down so quickly and so completely. I feel like I have to learn to walk again.”

“That’s essentially what you’re doing,” says Carol.

“What about my memory?” asks Nicholas. “Will I get that back?”

“Well, it seems you only lost some memory of events shortly before you were knocked out,” says Carol. “Amanda tells me that you may, in time, recover that. We’ll have to wait and see. She thinks that if you just allow memories to come to you, rather than force it, you will remember better.”

“How can I just allow it to come?” asks Nicholas.

“Like free association,” says Carol. “You see something and it triggers a memory, just say the first thing that comes to mind. And write it down.” She hands him a red notebook.

“Red,” says Nicholas. “Like ‘red is black’.”

“What do you mean?” asks Carol.

“I don’t know,” says Nicholas. “Just free association. Red is black.”

“Ok. Write that down.”

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A guard at Golde, Inc. approaches Robert. “Mr. Golde,” he says. “Carl Redd didn’t show up.”

“Did he call in?” asks Robert.

“No, sir. We tried to call him, to see if we need to get a replacement tonight, but there’s no answer.”

“All right, we can leave it for today. If he doesn’t show up tomorrow, get a replacement. A permanent one,” says Robert.

“Yes, sir.”

Robert goes to his desk and dials Detective Daze’s number. “Detective, this is Robert Golde. I want to report that a Carl Redd did not show up for work today, and no one can get a hold of him.”

“Yes, we know,” says Cody. “We had our eyes on him, but he gave us the slip. I think he’s skipped town. I very much suspect he and Floyd Dimmerling were in cahoots. We’ll keep our eyes on his place until we’re sure he’s gone. Meanwhile, do you want us to pursue him?”

“I think we can say we’ve got our answer,” says Robert. “There’s nothing we can do right now to recover our property, but aren’t you going to need to find him for Nicholas Cole’s case?”

“We’ll need to work that out,” says Cody, “But I have a feeling we’ll have to put that case on hold.”

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Filed under: All That Glitters