No Happily Ever After

Chapter 34

Farawaywas in a state of both dismal bereavement and blissful celebration. Of course, the confirmation of Eric Prince's death, which everyonehad feared might be the case, was heartbreaking. But it wasdifficult to be too despondent when six of the town's children hadbeen returned alive. Six children that nobody had really expected toever see again. Not only that, but the town's rash of serialkillings was over, and their monsters had been eradicated.

Chief Jiminyorchestrated a party in the town hall. The town was invited to comeand commune with the survivors. And also to thank the rescuers. Detective Piper and the four students were revered as heroes.

The atmosphere wasdownright festive. A local band set up and played the bestperformance they'd ever given. People danced and made merry. Mostevery adult including Chief Jiminy shared spirits and unwound,forgetting the events of the past month as though it had all been anightmare. The only person there who wasn't in a purely childlikemode of joy was Detective Piper. Though, being the only outsiderpresent, people scarcely noticed him roosting darkly in a corner,watching the festivities with those strange, beady eyes.

The party went forhours before it finally began to wind down and revelers began towander home. Piper caught a glimpse of Jiminy stumbling toward therear exit, and he slipped quickly through what little of the crowdremain, to follow the old man out into the highway.

"Oh, Jiminy!"Piper called, in his hollow voice. "Jiminy!"

The chief staggeredslightly as he roamed down the hall toward the back alley exit.

"Chief!"

Jiminy stoppedshort, slowly spinning to face Detective Piper. It wasn't that Piperhad yelled exactly, but a shift had definitely occurred in the toneof his voice. A shift of authority.

"Yes, Mr.Piper?" Jiminy asked.

Piper's eyesnarrowed briefly as the old police officer omitted his title whenaddressing him. But then he gave a wide, toothy smile. "Ah,yes, Mr. Jiminy. Now that the job is done here, I'd like to be on myway. So... About my fee."

Chief Jiminy's facefell. His rosy lips formed a perfect "O" and his buttonnose scrunched as though he'd caught an unsavory odor. "Your... Fee?"

Piper continued tosmile broadly. "Yes, my fee. It's time to settle up!"

Jiminy seemed toflounder for a moment, attempting to come up with a satisfactoryanswer, but finding none. "Uh, Detective Piper, you mustunderstand. The man who agreed to pay your fee was also the guiltyparty. Who is now dead. How do you suggest we collect that debt?"

"That is noneof my concern, Sir."

"B- Bu- But,Piper! I don't even know how that would work? If it would ever bepossible to collect that from his estate. And if so, I'm sure itwould cost a fortune in legal fees, and spend years tied up inprobate court!"

"ChiefJiminy," Piper said, his smile yet unfaltering. "Again,that is of no concern to me. The fee is due now."

Jiminy's facereddened and he frowned indignantly. His eyes became slits as heglared angrily at the skeleton man. "Now see here, Piper,"he said, spraying spittle as he muttered the detective's name. "Fourkids led you to those beasts. Those kids are responsible for therescue, not you. So how about instead of harassing me," Jiminycontinued, patting his holstered weapon, ever so slightly. "Youjust see your way out of Faraway."

Finally, Piper'ssmile faded and was replaced by a frightening frown and deathlystare. He reached into his curious patchwork blazer and thenproduced a slip of paper. He reached out with his long bony fingersand tucked the paper into Jiminy's breast pocket.

"On that paperyou will find the number of the bank account to which you willdeposit my fee. I will extend the deadline for thirty days." Jiminy stammered angrily but Piper continued. "The fee must bepaid in its entirety no later than thirty days," heexplained again. The thin man gave one last short smile, and thenbrushed past the chief. His heels clicked on the worn linoleum as hemade his way toward the exit.

But then he paused,turning to look at Jiminy one last time.

"Because Iassure you, Mr. Jiminy... If you and your little burg stiff me,you'll wish to have the Bar family back. You know nothing ofmonsters, I can promise you that," he hissed.

Detective Piperspun and stalked to the door, shoving it open, and disappearing intothe night.