Free The Perfect Death by James Andrus

funny older man. He had not had a drink in six years and moderated a number of different groups to help the homeless and alcoholics in the wide area of Jacksonville’s southern downtown. The municipal football stadium and St. Johns River bordered the southern edge of his father’s little kingdom. Stallings’s office sat within his father’s kingdom, but he had never run into the old man. Now Stallings realized he hadn’t been looking for him and could’ve very well seen him without recognizing the old man on a number of occasions.
    He parked his Impala directly in front of the tall, run-down but stately rooming house where his father had a single room on the second story in the rear of the building. As Stallings walked up the pathway he noticed his father sitting on one of the comfortable chairs on the covered porch of the large house. Two other men sat on a low sofa with a plastic cover.
    His father laid a hardcover book he was reading in his lap and smiled as Stallings approached and took the straight-backed wooden chair next to him.
    â€œHello, Johnny. What brings you by this time of day?”
    â€œJust wanted to see how you were doing.”
    When his father smiled and his cloudy eyes seemed to clear, Stallings caught a glimpse of the younger man he had known.
    Stallings’s father said, “How’s that girl of yours doing?”
    â€œWhich one?”
    â€œThe one you married, goofy.”
    â€œDad, we talked about this. She and I are separated right now.”
    The older man looked down and shook his head. “That’s a shame. I really like Helen.”
    Stallings was about to casually correct him when he realized the old man had no idea he’d confused Stallings’s sister with his wife. He checked quickly to make sure his father hadn’t slipped back onto the sauce, leaning in to sniff his breath.
    Stallings said, “Her name is Maria. Helen is your daughter.” He said it lightly, hoping it would clear his father’s head.
    The elder Stallings gave a grin and a quick wink. “Just pulling your leg, son.” He tapped the side of his head and said, “I’m as sharp as ever.”
    Even with the comment from his father, Stalling decided to use the visit to make sure the old man hadn’t lost a few steps mentally.

    Buddy enjoyed the few minutes he spent talking with Mary. She explained the difference between the dental hygienist and assistant as well as several of the key points of protecting your teeth.
    She said, “You have good teeth and a very friendly smile.”
    â€œThank you very much. I appreciate the compliment. How long have you worked here?”
    â€œAlmost ten years.”
    â€œThere is no way. You must’ve started here when you were fourteen years old.” He wasn’t just flattering her; she did have a very youthful-looking face.
    â€œYou are a charmer. I’ve been here since I was twenty-two years old and graduated from the program out at the community college.”
    He liked her friendly manner and now that he looked, she had a few wrinkles, which gave her face a very gentle character. He said, “Maybe we could grab a cup of coffee sometime?”
    Her smile already told him his answer. “I’d love to. I’m on vacation for two weeks starting Friday so maybe Friday evening. Otherwise we’d have to wait nine days until I got back from my cruise to Cancún.”
    â€œWho you going on the cruise with?”
    â€œI’m trying something new and spending the first three nights of the cruise alone, then meeting three girlfriends when they get on in Cancún. It was the only way we could all work out being together and I didn’t want to waste a half a week of vacation. It’s very exciting.”
    Buddy did the math and realized this was an opportunity he couldn’t ignore. As long as he kept things quiet, no one would realize he’d be the last person she saw