AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’d appreciate any insights you can provide,” he said.
She looked up, her expression pained. “This is my hometown, too, Mr. Devine.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning I might be the wrong person to ask.”
“I thought medical examiners just wanted to get to the truth, by letting the dead speak to them? Every victim of violence deserves that, don’t they?”
“They...do.”
“Did you know Jenny?”
“I was a few years older than she was, but, yes, I knew her.”
So come on and tell me what you know.
However, before she could say anything the door opened and a man leaned in. He was tall and looked to be in his late thirties; his features neatly copied Guillaume’s.
Devine said, “You must be Fred Bing?”
“I am. Do we know each other?”
The two men shook hands after Devine introduced himself.
Bing wore his brown hair on the longish side. About six three, he had a clean-shaven face, a long, fit runner’s build, and penetrating grayish eyes. His white dress shirtsleeves were rolled up, revealing pale muscular forearms. He looked tired.
“What do you need?” asked his sister.
He held up some papers. “Your signature.” He looked at Devine. “We’re refinancing our working capital loan. The documents one has to read to do so will cure any insomnia.”
Devine smiled. “I’m sure.”
“I would like to talk to you about some of the terms, sis,” said Bing. “Get your advice before we actually sign off.”
She glanced at Devine. “Sure, we were just finishing up, weren’t we, Mr. Devine?” The woman’s look was more pleading than triumphant.
Devine rose and handed her his card. “If you remember anything else helpful,” he said.
“Yes, of course,” she said, hastily pocketing the card.
“I heard you’re here about Jenny?” said Bing. “Awful, just awful.”
“You knew her?”
“Oh yes. Jenny and I were in the same high school class. I went to college and got my teaching certificate, and went back and taught science at the high school for a while. Then I got the necessary degrees before coming to work here. Jenny was the cream of the crop. We all knew she was destined for bigger and better things.”
“Yeah, so I keep hearing. Did you see her during her last visit?”
“No. I had no idea she was here.”
Right, just like everybody else in this town.“Okay, well, thanks.” Devine started to take his leave but then turned back. “‘And Sons’?”
“What?” said Guillaume.
“The sign out front says ‘Bing and Sons.’ I was just wondering who the other sons were.”
Bing said, “Oh, our uncle, John, and our father, Ted Bing. Our grandfather Frederic—I’m his namesake—founded the business. Our father and uncle worked for him until he passed, and they ran the business until they retired. That’s when we took it over.” He looked at his sister. “Françoise and me. We should probably change the sign to ‘Bing and Associates.’”
