Golden Bird

"Hey, I don't have to stand for this. I'm going to call security and get you guys out of here." said Jack as he went for the phone.

"I don't think you want to do that, Mr. Hogan." warned Ben. "I suggest you think about what I'm going to say very carefully. ... and then if you want to kick us out of here, go right ahead ... I'm sure the police might be interested in what we have to say even if you aren't."

At the mention of police, Jack replaced the phone to its cradle and sat back in his chair. "OK, Mr. Peterson, let's hear it."

"Preposterous!" said Jack once Ben had related his theory. "You can't prove a thing."

Ben sat up straight and looked Jack in the eye. "Maybe not yet, but just before we came over here I heard that the police just found an abandoned cream colored Pontiac sedan." He watched carefully for Jack's reaction, and was not disappointed. He pushed a little harder, "It will be interesting to see whose fingerprints are found once they've finished dusting."

Jack was visibly shaken as he tried to remember if he'd wiped everything he might have touched.

Ben stood up and indicated to David to do the same. "I think we'll let you think about what you want to do, Mr. Hogan. We'll contact you tomorrow to see if you want us to go to the police or not."

Jack just sat there staring dumbly after them, his hopes and dreams for a future with Stella crumbling down around him.