My Brother's Keeper by Adrienne Wilder Page B

along with Lenny or what a judge gains by giving him an alibi. But people like Dale and Byron are just as greedy as Lenny is insane. They wouldn’t have done this unless it was going to get them a paycheck.”
    “I hope you’re right.” If Sheriff Marsh wasn’t, then the alternative was terrifying.
    “We’re going to think positive. That we’ll be able to find proof of an exchange. In the mean time, the hospital has agreed to call me when Dale wakes up and I’ll be sure to get there before he can change his mind about giving us information.”
    Or fall under whatever spell Lenny had over people.
    “Will you call us?”
    “I will.”
    “What do you suggest we do in the mean time?”
    “Pack Ellis, Rudy, and yourself up and leave town.”
    Rudy was still in front of the TV, but on his stomach now with his chin propped on his hands. A big smile crinkled up his face. “Ellis said Rudy has a hard time with change. What if we can’t leave?”
    “Then get a gun and make sure Ellis knows how to use it.”
    ********
    “Do you want me to be there when you talk to him?” Jon said.
    Ellis shook his head. “No, it’s okay.”
    “You sure?”
    “Yes.” Ellis leaned against the counter. How was he going to get Rudy to understand they had to leave? There wasn’t a way. He either would or he wouldn’t. Ellis feared the latter. “You know, we shouldn’t even have to do this. Why can’t they just put Lenny in prison? Why did they even let him out to begin with?”
    “Friends who will lie for him, and a right to bail.” Jon put the last plate into the dish drainer. Suds clung to his arm all the way to his elbows.
    Ellis handed him a dishtowel. “That man should have lost every right he had the first time he was arrested.”
    “I’ve felt the same way many times. It always seems like the criminals have all the luck.”
    “Well, they sure have something.”
    “You’re right, they do. It’s the lack of a conscience. It makes them willing to do anything they can to keep from getting caught. No matter who pays the price.”
    Ellis was beginning to realize that. He hugged himself.
    “Does leaving affect your ability to testify in court? I mean, if he doesn’t give up and makes a plea bargain?”
    “If they need me, I’ll come back.”
    “Do you think they’ll want Rudy on the stand?”
    Jon’s mouth thinned out. “I don’t think so, but it’s not out of the realm of possibility.”
    “I’m not sure he could handle it.”
    “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.” Jon slung the towel over his shoulder. “Would you mind if I stick around in the kitchen, in case you need backup?”
    “Sure, go ahead.” Ellis laughed because the alternative was crying. He went into the dining room. Rudy had his eyes narrowed on the cookie in his hands. There was a stack of de-creamed cookie halves next to his glass.
    Ellis pulled out a chair next to him. Rudy twisted the two halves and the cookie came apart, leaving the cream stuck to one side. He licked it and smiled at Ellis.
    “Hi.” Rudy showed Ellis the cookie. “If I had an extra space next to ice cream, I’d put cookies there.”
    “Do you think you can put the cookies down for a minute so we can talk?”
    Rudy added two more halves to his stack. “Am I in trouble?”
    “No. I just want to talk.”
    “About what happened yesterday?”
    “Sort of.”
    “Is Lenny coming back?”
    “I don’t know.”
    “If he does, Jon will take care of it.”
    Ellis glanced back at the kitchen. “Well, I’m hoping it won’t come to that.” Rudy folded his hands on the table. Black crumbs covered his thumbs and index fingers. Ellis put a hand on Rudy’s wrist. “I need to do something so Jon won’t get hurt again. Can you help me?”
    Rudy shrugged.
    “I want us to take a trip.”
    “Where?”
    “I was thinking maybe Florida. Somewhere there’s a pretty beach to walk on.” Rudy’s face remained blank. “You could swim in the ocean, and we could go