Chapter Five

Catching herself just staring out the window, Jayme broke her trance and started her car. She just couldn’t believe it, that Scott had left her all this money. She knew she wouldn’t have to worry about her or her child’s future. Scott made sure his wife and child were taken care of. Jayme knew it was time to work on selling her house.

Pulling away from the curb, Jayme drove through town then stopped at a small restaurant that her and Scott frequented. It was after the lunch rush so there was only one other customer. Sitting at a booth, Jayme was greeted by the waitress who left a glass of water and a menu. Looking over the menu, something caught Jayme’s eye and she looked up to see a man standing beside her table. He presented her with a bouquet of fresh cut flowers.

“These are for you… There’s a card in there, just in case you may be interested in going on a date with me. My name is Steve.” He said just before walking away.

Jayme watched him as he walked to the door, turned toward her and smiled, then turned and walked out. She was dumbfounded. Who was this man? Why did he look so familiar with short, neat, dark blonde hair. He was clean shaven and handsome. But he held a familiarity in his eyes that she couldn’t place.

Sniffing the flowers, she then set them on the table beside her. The waitress returned to her table, holding a notepad and pen. “Those are beautiful…” She said.

“Thank you… I don’t even know him…” Jayme said.

“Really? Wow…” The waitress commented. “Are you ready or do you need more time?”

“Oh, I’ll just have the salad bar.” Jayme answered. “Is that alright?”

“Of course. Would you like something else to drink?”

“A glass of milk, please?”

“Sure.” The waitress said and took the menu as Jayme handed it to her.

Still thinking of the man who gave her flowers, she wondered who he was, how or did he even know her? Was it a gesture of sorrow after the loss of her husband? She just didn’t know but she did know that it would intrude on her thoughts for, at least, the remainder of the day.

Eating her lunch, Jayme finished and paid for her meal. Taking her flowers, she left the building, keeping her eyes out for the man who gave them to her. But she didn’t see him. Anywhere. Climbing into her car, she left the parking lot and returned home to continue packing.

To the side, she kept a box for things to donate to goodwill, and a box for things of Scott’s that were sentimental to her. It would be a box to keep packed even after she moved. After a few more hours of packing, Jayme began to feel exhausted. Laying on the couch, she covered with a fuzzy, fleece throw and fell asleep.

Her stomach was growling loudly when she woke up. It was still light outside as she looked at the clock. It was nearly six and she knew she needed to get dinner. Pulling herself off the couch, she located her shoes, put them on then grabbed her jacket and purse as she headed out the door.

The dinner rush was in progress when she opened the door and walked in. Luckily, one couple had just got up to leave. The waitress motioned for her to wait just one minute while they clean the table off and set it with fresh items.

Taking a seat with her back to the room, she was facing out the window at a table in the center of the room. Without a menu, she ordered the meatloaf special that was written on the black chalkboard. Waiting for her food, Jayme simply looked around at the patrons who inhabited the establishment. She smiled at those who looked at her.

Just as she finished eating, the waitress brought her a receipt, telling Jayme that her meal had been paid for. Asking the waitress who it was, the waitress pointed at the man who was sitting four tables away, in a dark corner. It was Steve, the man who brought her flowers. Now he was paying for her meals. It made Jayme a tad bit uncomfortable.

As she got up to leave, she smiled and nodded at Steve. But he got up and followed her out the door. Stopping just outside she turned to face him. “Look, Steve, is it, I’m sorry, but I can’t accept your gratuity.” She said and handed him a twenty dollar bill.

“I’m sorry, I’m just trying to be nice and generous.” Steve said.

“You don’t understand, I just lost my husband. He was murdered just two days ago. Now, I have to go plan his funeral.”

“Yes, Jayme. I know exactly who you are. That’s why I’m trying to help you. I was a colleague of Scott’s, I worked at the dealership in Greenville before taking the factory job. You don’t know me, but I know who you are.” Steve said.

The fact that he knew all about her and she didn’t even know his name made her even more uncomfortable. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to get back to packing.” Jayme said walked toward her car.

“You’re packing? Are you planning on moving?” Steve said.

“Yes, as a matter of fact, I am. I’m moving out of town.”

“You’re going back to Hillman, aren’t you?” Steve said.

Standing and looking at the man, Jayme was in fear about the personal things he knew about her. Had he been stalking her? Does he even know where she lives. Who is this strange man who suddenly descended into her life. Did he learn these things from Scott?

Without another word, Jayme slipped into her car and locked the doors, then started the engine. She looked at the man as she pulled out of the parking spot and continued down the driveway. After pulling out of the parking lot, she looked into her rear-view mirror to see him disappear. Suddenly, she felt relived.

As Jayme continued to pack, she couldn’t seem to get her mind off the strange, mysterious man named Steve. She almost felt bad for being rude to him. Perhaps he was sincere in his offerings. Jayme wasn’t one for being rude or blunt but she wondered about this man further. Was he a good guy or a bad guy?

By the time she finished for the night, the upstairs was completely packed up. She had moved all her things downstairs except the boxes and heavy furniture. It was late and she was exhausted after the long day of packing. After eating some fruit, Jayme laid on the couch with all but the TV off.

Hearing the phone ringing, Jayme sat straight up, wondering if it were a dream. Then she heard it again. Pulling herself off of the couch, Jayme went to the phone and answered it. “Hello?”

“Is this Jayme McNally?” A man’s voice asked.

“Yes.”

“This is Detective Jacobson from the Silver Creek Police Department, I wanted to inform you that we’ve located a body that matches the description of Kelly Taylor. Forensic’s is working on it right now so we should have a positive ID soon. How are you holding out?”

“I’m taking it day by day.” Jayme answered. “So, where was the body?”

“Located about thirty miles from her home. She was in the middle of a soy bean field. The farmer found her when he harvested his crop. She was located approximately fifty feet off the road and there are no houses for about a mile. I have to say it was the perfect disposal. He left no footprints or tire tracks at the scene. We’re waiting to see what the report on the body says.”

“Ok, thank you for letting me know. Does that move her husband in as a suspect?”

“Well, considering that he is unreachable, we’re not sure. We’re still waiting on the body to tell us the exact time of death.”

“Oh. Ok, Please let me know anything else you discover.” Jayme said.

“Sure.” Detective Jacobson agreed. Then the phone call was over.

Looking at the clock, Jayme knew it was time to get ready for her ten o’clock appointment. Today was the day she would make the arrangements for Scott’s funeral. She would be meeting his parents at the funeral home to assist in the final arrangements.

Being the hardest thing she had ever had to do, Jayme, along with his parents, completed the arrangements. After the meeting, Scott’s parents invited Jayme to lunch. Having not eaten anything, Jayme agreed and met them at a popular restaurant close to the funeral home. The two would be in town for a few days, until their son was buried.