Chapter 9: Storm's Coming

Thick snowfall blew into town early that evening. The sky had darkened rather quickly for it being around 5 or 6pm. The walls of the shoe factory shook as Esther was cleaning off her face with a wet rag. She then dried it off and reached for her bag. Tony whined from the other room. "I'll be there in a moment honey," she said. She then powdered her face and fixed her makeup. He threw something at the door and she closed her bag quickly, walking out of the upstairs staff bathroom.

"All right you little-," Esther started to say, until she seen him cowering in his chair, both arms covering his head as he trembled. A chain connected to his ankle to the heat pipes rattled by his quick movement. A table sat between them all dusty and discolored. She put a backward chair in front of him and sat on it folding her arms on the backrest of it. "Tony, listen to me," she said, gently guiding his face to hers with her hand to his chin, "I'm going to get you something to eat. You and I made a promise, remember? You don't try and escape and you'll be all right. Deal?" He nodded. "Alright," he croaked.

"You're voice is returning," she added, stroking his face. She then took a roll of tape from behind her and peeled back part of it. "What's that for?" Tony asked, quivering. "I love you having your singing voice back," she replied, sticking it across his mouth, "But you can sing Sinatra when I get back. Y'know, when you thank me for being so nice to you." He muffled screamed at her as she got up taped his arms up. She then turned off the light. She heard him squealing under his gag and shook her head. "I'll be right back," she said to him gently, "you just hang out till I get back. And don't try to escape. I mean it Tones, or you won't live long enough to experience your first premature ejaculation." He screamed under his gag and she went downstairs chuckling.

Joe Bando sat against the wall with the bullet hole still fresh in his head, blood still pouring out of it. Esther squatted down in front of him and pulled his wallet out. "Sorry Joe," she said, "Your money troubles are long over. Let's see what you've got for me." She pulled out a hand full of money and smiled. She then ran her magnum barrel through it, seeing all new 20-dollar bills. Esther looked at him, holding the money up. "Thank you Joey," Esther said, kissing his head. She gagged when she tasted blood on her lips and spit it on him. "Ew, keep it," she said. Esther got up, put on her scarf and hat and went outside.

Kate was grabbing some groceries as she wheeled Max around in the cart. She grabbed some frozen pizzas and some soda as Max happily watched her. Kate then got behind the cart and they moved down the dairy aisle. She was off in her own little world and didn't hear footsteps coming up behind her. As she grabbed one of the 2% jugs of milk, a hand was gently placed on her shoulder making her jump.

"Whoa!" Kate yelled, spinning around seeing Colin. "Oops, sorry Kate," Colin snickered, "just thought I'd pop by and see, y'know what's up? Mmm pizza, huh? Sounds yummy." Kate blushed and smiled at him. "Hey Colin," Kate breathed, "Why do you always do that?" "Oh me?" Colin asked smiling at her, "I don't really know why. Aunt Helen always gets irritated at me for doing that. But I still love her old ass." "Colin!" Kate laughed, "Oh, I'm shocked!" "Hey, she doesn't mind me calling her that," Colin confessed, "It's true." Kate started laughing and shaking her head. Colin smiled, then looked down at little Max, who was looking up at him with curiosity. Kate seen this and smiled at them both.

"Oh Max, this is Colin," Kate said, signing to her, "He's a friend of mine." Max smiled at her and then at Colin. "Hey Max," Colin chuckled, waving at her. Max smiled at him and quickly returned the gesture. "She's a friendly little one, aint she?" Colin asked. "She loves to meet new people," Kate said, "Especially friends of her mommy's." Colin smiled and dug into his apron. "Hey Kate, can I give her one of these before supper?" he asked, holding up a small sucker. Kate tilted her head, thinking it over. "Yeah, alright," Kate said, nodding her head. He gave it to Max and she signed something to him. "What'd she say?" Colin asked, looking back at Kate. "Oh, that means thank you," Kate said. Colin smiled at Max and held up his thumb. Max let out a little giggle and blushed.

"Colin McCray, to the stock room please, Colin McCray to the stock room," The Intercom blared. He looked up at Kate and she let out a giggle. "Well, I'm needed," Colin sighed, "Great seeing you here Kate. And Max, it was very nice to meet you." Max waved to him and giggled some more. "You'll be here tomorrow, right Kate?" Colin asked. Kate nodded her head to him. "Bright and early first thing," Kate said through he smile. "Awesome," Colin said, starting to skate off, "See you later, ladies!" They both waved bye to him as he disappeared into the doors of the stock room. Max smiled up at Kate and signed something to her. Kate laughed and shook her head. "He's too old for you, honey," Kate said, shaking her head with a smile. Max shook her head in disapproval and Kate chuckled in reply.

As Kate went to the checkout line, she spotted Detective Alan Emerson in front of her. "Detective," Kate gasped, "Hey, how are you?" "Hello Mrs. Coleman," Alan said, looking up from his newspaper. He rubbed Max's shoulder as she giggled. "What is that?" Kate asked him, "the tabloids? Anything interesting?" Alan shook his head, putting it back. Kate saw her face on it. "Jesus, I thought they let up already," Kate scoffed, putting her stuff on the conveyer belt behind his. "I didn't let up yet," Alan said, staring at her, "we've still got a missing child whose grandfather was his only family." "That poor kid is still missing?" Kate asked. "It's been a month since anybody seen or heard from either Esther or Tony," Alan replied. "You don't think she could've done it, do you?" Kate asked. He shrugged, handing his cash to the cashier.

As they left the store together, Alan stopped at his SUV. "Mrs. Coleman?" he asked. "Yes, detective?" Kate asked. "Is your van still in the shop?" Alan asked her, "I can give you a lift if you need one." "Uh, alright," Kate replied, "It's hard to get a cab out here when the weather's like this." "I'll bet," Alan said, helping her load her things in the back. Max was going to help but he gently picked her up and helped her into the back. "It's freezing out here Max," Alan said, "Why don't you warm up?" Max smiled at him and nodded her head. Kate shut the back and looked over as Colin came outside, skating over to her.

"Yes Colin?" Kate asked, smiling at him as he shivered a little. "Hey Kate, my Aunt's offer is still good," Colin told her, "me and my girlfriend can baby-sit your kids while you lovely ladies have your book club." He uncomfortably stuffed his hands in his pockets. "I think I'll take you up on that offer," Kate told him, lightly pinching his cheek. Colin smiled at her, heavily out of breath. He looked up as Alan shut Max's door and came around the corner looking at him. Colin started to say something and stared back at him. "Oh Colin this is Detective Alan Emerson, homicide," Kate said. "H-hi," Colin said, "How are you sir?" "Feeling fine," said Alan. Kate looked at Alan, then at Colin. "Well I've got to go, Kate," Colin said, shaking her hand before he skated off.

"He's a little shy," Kate said as they were driving. "He seems like a nice kid," Alan told her. "So nothing has turned up with Esther's case?" Kate finally asked. "It's been dead silent for a little over a month," Alan said, "But I'm not giving up yet." "Do you think she'll come back?" Kate hesitantly asked him. Alan sat there thinking for a moment. "I'm not sure," Alan replied, "I don't want to make any assumptions. If she does return, we'll get her."

Kate nodded her head and stared out at the road as the storm was just beginning.