Free Benefit of the Doubt: A Novel by Neal Griffin Page A

struggled to speak.
    “I’m gonna die soon, boy, and you still ain’t free. I can’t be here to help ya, but there will come a time that the Lee name must be avenged. It falls to you, son. It falls to you.”
    Harlan pushed back farther in the worn seat and shook his head with a vigor intended to clear away his pointless reminiscing. His next act of retribution was going to bring a particularly strong sense of satisfaction.
    The speaker above his head crackled, and Harlan realized he had dozed off. He looked out and saw the town had barely changed, as though it were stuck in time. The driver’s voice came clearly over the loudspeaker. “Good afternoon, Greyhound passengers. Now announcing arrival at Greyhound stop eleven twenty-one. If this is your destination, prepare to disembark. Welcome to Newberg.”

 
    EIGHT
    Ben stared at himself in the bathroom mirror, rubbing at his crow’s feet, which were becoming more pronounced by the day, especially first thing in the morning. He ran a hand over his rough chin and figured he’d shave at the department. Less noise. He squeezed toothpaste onto his finger and rubbed it over his teeth, then pulled a brush through his thick, close-cropped hair. He blew out hard, looking at the half-dozen more gray hairs that seemed to have sprung up overnight at his temples. The early-morning light was enough for him to dress by. Gym bag in hand, he was heading for the door when Alex stirred and said, “Do you really need to go in this early?”
    Ben stopped, angry with himself that he hadn’t gotten up an hour earlier, when he could have slipped out unnoticed.
    “I want to hit the gym before work. I’ll give you a call later this morning.”
    Alex was in no mood to play nice. She rolled over in bed, turning her back to her husband. “No, you won’t, but if you’re going to be late for dinner, at least let me know. Jake and I will just go ahead and eat.”
    Ben stood in the doorway and looked at his wife. He’d known her for his entire life. They grew up together, were high school sweethearts. Hell, they practically ran away together. The return to Newberg had been hard on both of them, and he didn’t deny he’d become a real prick to live with. He set the gym bag on the floor and gave a thought to crawling back into bed. Maybe form up next to her, eliminate every bit of at least the physical distance between them. She’d be a little put off, but he knew she’d take some comfort from the gesture. The best he could bring himself to do was sit at the foot of the bed, making sure not to get too close.
    “What are you saying, Alex? You don’t think I’m at work? Where else am I going to go? Hit the Newberg hot spots? Drink a few beers with all my buddies from the PD?”
    She seized the moment as if she’d been lying in wait, her voice laced with sarcasm. “Oh, poor Ben. Are the other boys being mean to you?”
    Ben narrowed his eyes and stared, ready to tell Alex where to stick her smart-ass comments, but she didn’t give him the chance.
    “Ben, do you hear yourself? You sound like a damn child.”
    She threw the covers back, got out of bed, and headed for the closet. She pulled on a Santa Clara sweatshirt, punching her arms through the sleeves, then yanking it down over her head and flat belly. Her blue eyes shone clear, and Ben had no doubt he’d been set up. Alex had been awake for a while, itching for a fight. She lobbed the first salvo like a stun grenade.
    “You’re not a child, Ben, and I shouldn’t have to act like your mother. I’m just saying I’d appreciate some common courtesy. If you don’t want to come home for dinner with your family, fine. Just let me know. We’ll make do on our own.”
    Ben started to respond, but she cut him off. Salvo number two. “And by the way, this pity trip bullshit has got to end. Stop feeling sorry for yourself and deal with reality. We’re here, Ben. Get used to it.”
    Right to the gut, both times. Alex never had gone for