Free Secrets Can Be Deadly by Nancy Roe

just graduated from high school. It was time to leave.”
    “I bet. He’s the reason M illie stopped talking to us. Always had to be in control.”
    “Be nice , Harold. Sam is here now. That’s all that matters.” Connie patted Harold’s arm.
    “Can you stay for lunch?” Connie asked.
    “Yes. Thanks. That’d be great.” I’d ask them after lunch if I could stay longer. If they said no, at least I’d had a good meal.
    Connie and I sat at the kitchen table the next hour, looking at her photo albums, pictures of my grandmother when she was a child. Everyone looked so sad in those black and white photos. My mom looked happy in the photos taken at Christmas when she was sixteen.
    Connie said, “That was the last time I saw your mother or grandmother.”
    “Why?” I asked.
    “Your grandfather cut all ties the following year. We never knew why.”
    “Did you ever receive letters from grandmother?”
    “No. I wasn’t even sure she got my letters. Harold and I tried see her once. We stopped by the house. Ernest was home and came to the car with a shotgun. Threatened to hurt us if we didn’t leave. We never went back.”
    “Grandfather was a mean man.”
    “Yes, he was.” Connie sighed. “I’m glad you finally got away from him.”
    I continued looking through the photos albums while Connie made lunch —meatloaf, mashed potatoes, creamed carrots, lettuce salad. Connie asked me to help set the table. Harold entered the house at quarter to twelve.
    “Go get washed up. Lunch will be ready soon.” Connie gave Harold a smile.
    “Snickers had kittens. Looks like there are five.”
    Connie looked at me with delight, “ We’ll go take a look after lunch.”
    I hoped they ’d want me to stay after lunch. They seemed like the family I always dreamed of.
    “Lunch was scrumptious .” I hesitated. “I want to ask you a question. No matter what you say, I’ll be okay with your answer.”
    Connie glanced at Harold, then turned toward me. “What is it, Sam?”
    “I don’t have a place to stay right now. I was wondering if I could stay with you . Just until I find a job and settle into my own apartment.”
    Connie squeezed Harold’s hand. She glanced at him and he nodded. “We would love for you to stay with us. As long as you like.”

20 Thursday, February 7, 1980 (Mason)
    M ason was excited and anxious. He would call the recorder’s office at lunch, hoping Jean had been able to find information on his mother. Mason put on his uniform and went to work early. Busy work would make his morning go faster.
    When he pulled in to the lot behind the station, he noticed the Chief’s car. Today wasn’t going to be a good day if the chief was in early.
    The back door was unlocked. Mason turned on the overhead lights and stopped in the break room for coffee. When he turned, the Chief was standing in the doorway.
    “What are you doing here so early?” The Chief stood tall , hand on his gun.
    “Couldn’t sleep . I came in to get caught up on some paperwork.”
    “We need to talk .” Chief Franklin turned and walked down the hall.
    Mason wasn’t sure what to make of the Chief’s comment. He went to his desk, took off his coat, then walked to the Chief’s office. Mason knocked.
    “Have a seat,” the Chief said. “I’ve decided I’m retiring , end of the year. I informed the City Council at last night’s meeting. Next month I need to provide them a report of who I think should be the next police chief. They’d like the person to come from within the existing police force. You’ve done fabulous work, Mason, but you’ve only been here two years. Officer Arnold has ten years of experience and he’s covered my position when I’ve been out. I’m going to recommend him for the position. I just wanted you to know how much I respect your work.”
    “Thank you , sir.” Mason knew he wasn’t ready for the chief’s position yet, but appreciated the Chief’s comments.
    “Don’t say anything about this