Murder On The Mainline - S01 E59

Story 1 year ago

Murder On The Mainline - S01 E59

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 59

Later, as they leave, it is after three and they go for coffee in Surrey. Trudy says, "It was quite a shock to see her hair. The last time she was all swathed with bandages and I never noticed. Can she eat, now?"

"Very carefully some soft foods. Not too much chewing."

"I noticed she was turning her head a lot. She's lost the hearing on that side, hasn't she?"

"Yes. I'm afraid so. The doctors don't hold out much hope of her ever recovering any hearing on that side. Too much damage."

"How about the skull fractures?"

"It's wait and see with that. The doctor said she would not have to have it operated on again. You probably noticed her movements of that arm are stiff. They have hidden the contraption that holds her shoulder in place quite well. They say it is healing nicely but will take a while. She's still so fragile. I hate to see her go back to live with Bob. One bad night and he could kill her. It doesn't bear thinking about."

Trudy shivers and says, "I agree."

They pay for their coffee and drive over to POCO. Mike pulls into the CPX yard and parks by the terminal. It's not too busy since it's Saturday. Mike runs upstairs to dispatch and checks for bills. His names not on the board for a run Monday and he can't find any bills assigned to his truck number, yet. It looks like he might have Monday off.

He comes back down the stairs and stops at the front door. He walks back towards the washrooms and stops by Ray's locker. He opens it and stands looking into it. He rubs his chin and steps back to look over all the lockers. Then he closes Ray's again and drops the bent nail into the hasp.

He leaves the washroom and goes into the lunchroom, gets a Coke out of the machine and goes back to the car. "Want a slurp?" He pulls the tab on the can and it hisses.

"Sure." She takes a long drink and burps. "Oops!"

"Not very ladylike, are you?"

"Would you like me if I was?"

He takes a drink from the can, "Hmmm, You got a point there." He laughs with her and hands the can back.

He starts the car and he heads down to Diamond Blvd. In a few minutes he pulls up to Ray's place. Trudy looks at him and gets out with him. They walk to the front door. There's no buzzer so Mike knocks. After a bit he knocks again.

Trudy says, "What's the point of seeing Ray. I thought we had everything from him?"

"Something else occurred to me over at the terminal. It might not be any good. I don't know until I see Ray."

"Well, I'd say he's not home."

They leave Ray's and drive into town. Mike drives to the west end and Wilson Ave. He drives through the entrance of Reeve Street Park and around the loop. Soon he comes to a spot near the entrance where they can look through the trees and see Tony's place. He backs up and parks out of sight in bushes. They get out and walk back towards the entrance.

When they reach the point where they can make out the house, Mike signals for Trudy to follow him. He moves between the trees and shrubbery to a point where he can clearly look into Tony's property. He says, "This is where we will watch from tonight." He sits down and clears back some branches. He has a clear view. He lets the branches fall back into place. "Stay here and I'll bring the car robe so we can find the spot later."

After he has the robe laid out he checks the area. Not far from their spot is a footpath that leads to a gate that opens on Wilson next to Tony's driveway. The perimeter fence of the park runs right along Tony's property and down to the river. Mike is satisfied he knows the layout so they return to the car.

Trudy likes the location of the car and suggests they kill time by making out in the back seat but Mike vetoes that. He drives back over to Ray's.

This time Ray answers the door on the first knock and says he just came back from the store. He invites them in.

He has fresh coffee on and asks if they will join him in a cup. While he's pouring the coffee, Mike asks, "Ray, your lawyer gave me an idea. Can you identify your coveralls or boots?"

Ray puts two cups in front of them and says, "The coveralls are all the same. Canada Linen provides them and launders them every week. We just chuck them into the bin when they're dirty. It's pretty much the same with the boots. Most of the guys get their boots like I do. Off the safety boots salesman who comes around once a month."

"Did you ever carve your initials or write your name in yours?"

"Nope. The only way I'd ever know them is by the nick in the sole."

"You can identify them?"

"Sure. They all look alike except I stepped and slid on a steel ribbon, one of those ribbons they use to bind heavy stuff on pallets with. It cut an S shape in the right heel. I didn't realize that stuff was so sharp."

"Ray, did you tell your lawyer you could identify your boots?"

"No. I never thought of it."

"See if you can get him on the phone."

"Now? It's Saturday. I'll try. He might be in his office." Ray lets the phone ring and ring, but no answer.