Ron had agreed, so he waited. The old man’s truck was easy to find. It was hand-painted the word “Scrapply’s” on the side.
It wasn’t long before Ron exited his truck when they arrived at the man’s house. Tal was cordial and funny as he opened the door to the garage. They were both greeted by the site of a mostly empty room. The only things were some minor objects on the shelves. The old junk dealer looked partially confused, “could have sworn I had more stuff in here.”
Hearing the garage door open, the old man’s wife opened the inside door. Her words filled with happiness as she spoke, “Oh good, you’re home. I met those nice people you send over to pick up that junk you had.”
Tal looked around confused before saying, “This is my wife, Betsy.” Then, he looked to the woman, “who did I send over to pick up the stuff?”
Betsy huffed before reaching into her pocket to pull out a large bundle of hundred-dollar bills. “The one’s you paid you for it. They gave me the other half when they arrived like you told them.”
Tal looked confused, making his wife caringly touch his arm, “sweety, you are becoming forgetful.” Then, she turned to Ron, “he’s been keeping busy since he retired. I think he should just enjoy the time since he’s not working.”
Ron nodded but could feel as if someone was staring at them. He smiled before looking around and asking, “Did you have any of those weird bottles still?” He then asked, “you told my wife that you brought them from a doctor’s house, is that right?”
Tal nodded, looking around, seeing the room now vacant of the items he had taken from the house. He turned to Ron, “sorry, son, looks like I sold everything. And, that house was torn down ages ago.”
Wait a minute, that was there just a few months ago. What are you talking about? Ron thought before the man’s wife interrupted.
Betsy smiled, “good.” Then we could go on that trip you promised me.”
Ron felt out of place as he watched the old man looking around, his wife joking, “He’s not forgetful. I think he’s just trying to get out of going to England.” Then, she leaned in to mockingly whisper, “he promised me ages ago we’d visit my remaining family over there.”
Tal laughed, “guess I can’t delay it any longer.” Then, he punched Ron in jest, “hope your wife doesn’t make you keep your promises like this.”
Ron watched as Tal took the money from his wife, “at least we can get a decent hotel. Ha!”
Ron was disappointed. Suppose the man had stolen the magic artifacts and lab equipment, then who had them now. His face reflected what he wanted the old couple to see and not the concern of what might have been dangerous items sold to who knows. Ron nodded, “well if you come across any more things like that, drop by the book store. We’ll take a look.”
As he was walking away, he said goodbye and heard Betsy say, “he seems like a nice man.”
Ron closed the door to his truck leaning back into his seat. Ron’s mind was still on the concept that some dangerous things might be out there, and people didn’t know what they were. Not that he knew either, Ron was guessing. All he knew for sure was that the man was selling what he took from Terrell’s house. And that was now gone. The memory of the old man now seemed different than when he spoke with Linda. And, with the knowledge of the house seeming to be fading from others, Ron felt deep concern and was considering leaving this new mystery alone.
He started his truck and waved to the couple as he drove off. Ron’s mind was a flurry of activity as he headed to the book shop. The events of what happened weren’t adding up. Ron was pondering the new information that the man now thought the house was torn down ages ago. While everyone near where the doctor’s house was, was now sure there was never anything there.
* * *
Ron arrived at the bookshop and walked in through the back door. Linda was just finishing up with a customer, and she followed the woman as she went to leave. Ron watched as Linda locked the door and turned over the “be right back” sign.
Linda hurried back, “were you able to find it?”
Ron shook his head, but Linda could see him thinking. And she asked what was on his mind.
“You ever have a feeling of Deja Vu?”
Linda nodded, “all the time, why?”
Ron told her about Tal and how his memory seemed different from when she had met the old man. He also told Linda about seeing the man in the long coat and then turning to see the table empty and the man’s cash box full. Ron also told her about the full garage now empty of everything the old man had. Ron seeming to pause before saying, “it’s like whoever was taking care of that house before was finishing the job.”
Ron’s eyes darted up, “I need to sue the computer.” HE rushed behind the counter and pulled up the story published on the doctor about Amanda’s abduction. As Ron read through it, he had to read the same line repeatedly to see if he read it correctly. The line read, “- the girl was being held in a small shed on the vacant lot on Stalmer street.”
He pointed to the screen, asking Linda to read the line as well. She only said, “that’s not what happened.” She then rushed to the scrapbook she kept of the articles only to find the folder empty. She opened it, showing Ron.
Ron felt the hair on her neck raise, “something is telling me we should walk away from this.”
Linda paused before nodding, “you may be right.” Linda sighed, her demeanor more positive as she said, “if they are finishing up what they started, at least we don’t have to get involved with magic again.”
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