He was filled with glee. Today would be the day. Today he would act. Today he would kill. No more waiting. He was done waiting.
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Elli apologized the next day.
"I overreacted," she told Jack at the clinic, "and I'm really sorry."
Jack was shocked. "Don't apologize!" he gushed. His arm was around her shoulders. "Especially not now. You've got more important things to worry about." She sniffled.
Together they stood in the hospital room, looking over the body of the late Ellen, whose face finally displayed an expression of peace. "I just can't believe this happened," Elli squeaked. "How she fell ill so suddenly." Jack nodded. Just a week ago the woman was right as rain, complaining about her bad leg and rocking away in her rocking chair. "Oh, and what am I going to tell Stu?"
Just then, a bell tinkled over the clinic door as the doctor walked in from the street. He hurried to shut the door before the fierce wind outside could fill the room with snow.
"Doctor!" Elli moved away from Jack. "Where have you been?"
The doctor's narrow eyes looked deep with sorrow. "I thought Jack should know what happened. I went to his house, but no one was there except for his dog. I can see now that he already knows."
Jack was surprised. And touched. He knew he wouldn't have done the same for the ole sawbones. "Thanks, Doc."
"Of course," was the doctor's curt reply.
The rest of the day was quite stressful. Funeral arrangements had to be organized with Carter, the village priest. This included preparing a coffin, picking out a grave site, readying the body, most importantly, informing the townspeople. Going door-to-door to give the news, Jack could really understand what a wonderful woman Ellen was. She was like a grandmother to all, respected and loved by everyone in the close-knit town. Jack was blessed to have known her.
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At five o' clock, Jack and Elli walked down to Barley Ranch to pick up Stu. Since his grandmother had gotten sick he had spent his time there, safe from the upsetting events at home. While Jack waited at the gate, Elli went inside to fetch her brother. A few minutes later they emerged, trailed by a sad looking May. The little girl hugged each of them before dashing back inside.
Elli put her hand on Stu's shoulder, and together they approached Jack, their faces orange from the light cast by the setting sun. Elli looked at Jack. Her eyes were gleaming with tears, as they had been for most of the day. "The funeral will be tomorrow," she said. Stu looked at his feet.
"I'll be there," replied Jack. There was a moment of silence. "D'you want me to walk you two home?"
A weak smile. "No thanks."
"Okay." For another moment they were silent. "If you need anything, come get me." He stepped forward to kiss Elli on the cheek, clapped hand to Stu's back, and turned towards his farm.
He thought the day couldn't get any worse.
Then he arrived home.
The inside of the house was a wreck. A disaster zone, practically. Nothing seemed to be left untouched by whatever had passed through. A tornado, maybe? Hurricane? Armageddon?
Jack stepped over an overturned chair and began to appraise the damage. The bed sheets were torn off and partially shredded. The flower pot was smashed; it's contents dragged across the floor. In the kitchen, pots and pans were pulled from the lower cabinets. The mess would take hours to clean.
But that would have to wait, because first Jack was going to the police. Whoever had done this was likely the same person who slew the chicken, and was not going to get away with it.
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Officer Harris's face lit up with excitement upon seeing the crime scene. He immediately began to investigate, aided by several other officers.
"Now Jack, are you sure you have no idea about the perpetrator? Any-" his eyes danced, "enemies?"
"Ene-what? No!" Jack sighed. "Listen, it was probably-"
"Because you know," the officer interrupted, "the doctor and you seem to have a little spat going on over Miss Elli..." he trailed off under an angry glare from Jack, and spoke again when he realized the implications of what he said. "Of course, the doctor would never do such a thing..."
The police sweep conjured no evidence, but the officers kindly helped Jack clean before they left. "Lock your door tonight," advised Harris as he began to leave, "and should anything happen, please tell me!"
"I will sir. G'night."
"Good night!"
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So close! But so far away... the fool had not been home. By the skin of his teeth Jack had escaped. His luck would soon run out. Another short wait, and tomorrow would be the day. Tomorrow would be the day. One short wait.