Dating : Chapter Sixteen

John Black leaned back in the cushioned chair Clara had just offered him. He didn’t exactly know what he was doing there, but he needed to ask someone questions and instinct told him this was the place to start.

“What can I do for you Sheriff?” Clara sat down a tray of iced lemonade and glasses on the table in front of John. He gladly took the glass offered him. The temperature had risen to almost unbearable heights in the last two days.

“Ms. Sorlee, do you happen to recognize the name Doug Barton.”

“No.” She paused for a moment to think some more. “No. Not at all.”

“How about Charles Dorten?”

“Nope.” She shook her head. “Wait, yes I do. Tom mentioned the name. More than once in fact.”

“In association with what?”

“He was Joan’s latest lover.”

That single statement hit John almost as hard as her death. John couldn’t say a word, and all the blood rushed from his face. He was sure Clara must have thought herself looking at the face of death.

As if to confirm it, her eyes went wide. “Are you alright, Sheriff?”

“Yes, it’s just the heat.” He took a long swallow of lemonade and recovered most of his senses, although they had all been dulled by the news. “Are you sure about this?” Tears began to well up in his eyes and he realized that he might be too personally involved in the case to be objective anymore. Still there was no acceptable reason for him to turn the case over to anybody now. It would be too suspicious.

“Yes, I am sure. Although, Tom had referred to him, and the others, as Bastard more often than not. You know, instead of using their name.”

“Others?” John suddenly wondered if he had been referred to as Bastard. And if his name had ever been brought up.

“Yeah, he wasn’t the only one. There were others before him. He was just the latest.”

“Any other names you can remember?” He needed to know if she knew about his affair with Joan.

“No, like I said he never called by name much, but he was getting frustrated fast because she refused his divorce proposal. So, he talked about killing this Charles guy to force her into it. He even threatened Joan with it once, hoping she would break down and give him the divorce.”

“How long ago was that?”

“I don’t know. Must have been about two or three weeks ago.”

“Ok. Well, I guess that’s all I need for now.” It was about all he could take. At least she didn’t know about our affair, that would have really complicated matters. He stopped just as he reached the door. “One last thing. Will you do me a favor?”

“Sure. What?”

“Here’s my card. I’m going to write down the first name I mentioned, Doug Barton. If you ever recall any information that corresponds to that name please call me as soon as possible.”

“No problem, Sheriff.”

John walked down the steps to the driveway. He now had the connection between Charles and Joan. It made a few difficulties disappear. But where did this Barton come in, there has to be a connection somewhere.