John: The Senior Killer by Robert Waggoner Page A

that protected
the entrance to the harbor. The spray was flying high into the air
from the waves and wind. She’d never witnessed such a sight and was
mesmerized by the picture as she drew closer to the jetty. By now
she could see the outline of some people walking on top of the
rocks and when she was close enough to see them, she spotted Brad
standing next to the seashore hatless wearing a blue Gore-Tex coat.
How did he know we would this way she thought? He was alone as they
climbed the small bank to the parking lot. Few cars were there as
the tourist season was long gone and the sight of a storm to the
locals was nothing to them.
    “Hi,” he said, “I brought
you some dry clothes and maybe we would have lunch at the local
eatery.” He handed her a bag and pointed at the low building where
the restrooms were located. For Steve he had a pullover sweater and
a light rain coat and a pair of slip on waterproof shoes. Wendy
found a sweat suit and sweatshirt inside the bag along with some
slip on waterproof shoes. A windbreaker jacket and she were good to
go. She looked into the stainless steel mirror and gave up the
thought of combing her short hair or applying some lipstick. Go
natural girl, she thought.
    Brad drove the van to the
new part of Bandon. The old town lying at the edge of the harbor
where the Coquille River emptied into the Pacific Ocean. A small
town she thought as they drove along the waterfront where small
boutiques and other shops and restaurants were located. Brad turned
right through town and up the hill to the new town where the
supermarket and banks were located. A busy restaurant sat off to
the side and that is where Brad parked.
    Inside she made for the
restroom to comb her hair and after looking presentable she found
them sitting at a table talking quietly. She looked around and
noticed the look of locals rather than tourists sat busy talking
about whatever locals talk about. She sat down and Brad smiled at
her asking what she would like. He said, “The clam chowder is great
and a crab sandwich is out of this world.”
    She looked at him and
thought this was the most human like sentence she had heard him
speak. “I will follow your suggestion and some coffee would be
nice.” It turned out they all had the same thing and she was
delighted he met them and stopped for lunch. “How did you know
where we would be,” she asked with a raised eyebrow he
noticed.
    “Ah, it is Steve’s famous
walk. It’s too far for him to return and years ago he called me the
first time he made the trek to the jetty.” Steve glared at
him.
    “You know that isn’t true. I
called you the first time to see if I was needed and you said two
calls had come in. Then you suggested you come and get me and I
agreed,” he said with a small sign with a grin. Brad rolled his
eyes and Wendy laughed. Hot bowls of chowder arrived and Wendy
loved the food. It reminded her of the East Coast and Boston. But
the crab was much better here.
    They didn’t talk any
business here as Brad was known but left alone. About the time they
were finished eating a policeman walked in and up to the table.
Brad introduced him as his brother-in-law who was married to Earie.
Wendy noticed he was short and stocky, with a nice smile. He shook
hands around the table and made some small talk and left. Wendy
thought it a little strange he didn’t sit down and have some
coffee, but maybe he was on an errand or something.
    Driving back to the
roundhouse, as she called it, she took in the sights along the way
down the Loop Road. New houses mixed with old weather beaten
houses were scattered here and there along the road. Turning into a small dirt road
they made their way to the parking lot after Brad opened the cable
crossing the road at the end of the trees. The wind was gale force
and they hurried to the house. Inside Sujin took their wet clothes
and disappeared down the stairs. A warm feeling from the wood stove
gave off warmth and comfort. Wendy sat down