Part 3 – Helena Hendricks

  Chapter Twenty-five - Plans.

  Brent continued. “I think I need to be the one to go get Emma. She knows me. She won't question me about being there. And she’ll come with me. That way, she won't fight. There'll be less chance of her getting hurt. And there's one more thing. I don't think her husband gave up on her yet. He's a good man. He might be able to help.”

  Frank said, “Fred will have to take care of him. I should have thought of that. Robbie Drake? Robbie Drake, I think that's his name. He works at a chain grocery store, I believe. We'll have to think of something. We don't need him getting hurt.”

  Fred took a small notebook out of his pocket. He wrote something in the book. “I got it down.”

  Miss Hendricks said. “I think I have his information. I'll give it to you.”

  Brent made eye contact when he spoke, “Miss Hendricks, there's some things I just have to say. It doesn't hurt me if we talk about Ellie. She's done some bad things. I don't think she's living a good life. I don’t know her anymore. I am saying that you could talk about her in front of me.”

  Her eyes were wet with tears. “I know, Brent.”

  Brent spoke up, “I'll help with Emma, but how do we keep Miss Hendricks safe?”

  Frank said mischievously, “I know someone who can help with that. So, Miss Hendricks, you've been on farms. And you've been to Pennsylvania. How would you like to visit a few farms around the old homestead? Make a few friends, roam around and hide in plain sight? I think you and Billie will get along fine.”

  Brent asked, “Is Billy tough? Can he do the job?”

  Frank returned, “Oh yes, she is tough, and feisty too. She might test you a bit, Brent, but she and Miss Hendricks will do fine. Besides, we already have a set up there. No one will be able to get close to her without everyone knowing.”

  Brent said. “Well, all right. Let's move on to Ms. Ellie. First off, it appears that her husband, Carmine, is a figurehead. She runs the show. And the more power she gets, the more she hates Carmine. The more she hates Carmine, the more she takes away from him. I don’t believe this. Now it might be true that she hates him. But behind the scenes he runs everything. And probably a lot more than she knows about. I would guess that she's not a very good manager. None of that is certain. The only true thing is that they hate each other. They seem to be competing, and they take risks. If you're going after her, that's how you get in. They take big risks, and they hate each other.” He paused and looked around the room. It felt like a giant weight had been lifted off him. He finished, “Well, I've said it.”

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  Frank spoke, “You are a wealth of knowledge today. You probably saved us several weeks of research and planning.”

  Brent continued. “I won't help you any more with Ellie. I won't go where she is. I don't want to touch her. I know what you're about. I know what this is about, but if you could save a little bit of her, I would appreciate it. Even if it's an accident.”

  Frank started to speak, “I...”

  Miss Hendricks interjected. “Brent, I'm with Frank on this. Just like my husband, she needs to be stopped. It isn't likely she'll change. Maybe if we're lucky and she's broken enough. Maybe, there'll be something good left. Maybe she could rebuild something. But I don't think it's likely. I don't think our Ellie is coming back.”

  Frank didn't want to steal his last hope. He knew he couldn't save anything of Mr. Murphy. He was like Kilgore. Only a bullet would stop him from hurting people. There was no redemption for Kilgore or Murphy. He could only hope that Ellie was different. That was the hope Brent held onto. Maybe he could borrow the big man's hope for a while.

  Frank said. “Let's hope there's a way.”

  “I'm sorry. Frank, I can’t leave Miss Hendricks. She needs someone in Pennsylvania. She needs a hitter or a shooter close by. I can't go help Emma unless I know she's protected. Could Fred help?”

  Frank answered, “No, I don't think so. He's running short on time. He's been away too long already.”

  “What about the two vets?” Fred stated.

  “We could put him at the house. One could act as a decoy while the other one watches. They would draw attention. And visitors wouldn't see Miss Hendricks. But they would spot any visitors. This would give us a chance to set up anyone Mr. Murphy sends.”

  Brent finally agreed. “That would be better than doing nothing. If Miss Hendricks agrees, then I'll go help Emma. It's going to take us a few days to find Emma even knowing what town she's in.”

  Frank asked, “Maybe. Miss Hendricks, would you have a picture of Emma, and can I have it?"

  She left the room.

  Frank quickly spoke, “Brent, make a pile of money. Find something to put it in. I'm taking it with me. I want you and Miss Hendricks to head to Pennsylvania in the morning. You'll meet a young lady at the house named Billie. Do whatever Billie says. I'll need you to come back after you have rested. Billie will tell you where to go. It'll be me and you. Fred is going to be somewhere else.”

  Brent agreed.

  Frank continued, “Fred and I are leaving in the morning. When you and I are finished with Emma, you'll need to come back and watch over Miss Hendricks.” Frank wanted to reassure him that he wasn't abandoning the old woman.