Marker of Faith

CHAPTER 21

CHAPTER 21

It was dusk by the time John and Roddy got Rattle to the motel. The setting sun created long shadows, stretched and elongated like fun house mirrored images that crept in front of them as they walked up the steps toward the room. John watched the shadows' synchronized movements with a certain amount of trepidation; there was an unearthly feel to it, a portent of bad things to come. He pushed open the door and quickly switched on the light. It was a small, but cozy, little room painted in bright, festive colors with a large television set on a table next to the bathroom.

John walked in and set the room's key card on the end of the bed and smiled. "Not bad, eh?" 

He turned around and saw Rattle standing outside the room, as if the man couldn't enter without an invitation, so John waved him in. Rattle leaned in further, his eyes lighting up when he saw the queen sized bed; a mountain of pillows beckoned under the clean duvet. He looked down at his dirty boots, worried about sullying the nice carpet and reluctantly stepped into the room.

"Rattle, don't worry about anything. This place ain't the Ritz. Go on. Make yourself comfortable, amigo." Roddy gave him a gentle push.

"This is so nice," Rattle said, his voice barely a whisper. "I ain't slept in a real bed since...." He looked at the floor, frowning in concentration. "Since I don't know when."

"Enjoy it." John took a card out of his wallet and handed it to him. "This is my cell number. If Lem, or any other nut job shows up, call me first if you can. Or call 911. Don't mess around, okay?"

"Sure thing, boss." Rattle tucked the card into his jacket pocket with a nod. Roddy, still in the doorway, cleared his throat and pointed at his watch.

"Hold on, Roddy." John inventoried the room, his gaze finally settling on the anxious old man. "Relax, Rattle. Take a shower, order room service, watch TV, do whatever you want, but do not leave this room. Understood?" John looked at Roddy then back at Rattle. The old man had a bewildered expression on his face.

"Why are you doing this?" Rattle asked. His shoulders were stooped, and suddenly he looked like a tired old man again.

"You know," John said, rubbing at his forehead. "A lot of reasons. There's this unshakable feeling that we are in a whole lot of danger now -- from who or what I'm not totally sure of, but danger. Serious danger." He glanced over at Roddy, standing nervously in the doorway with his hands in his pockets.

"And to be perfectly honest," John's voice sounding serious, "I think we need to look out for each other now. Something has brought us all together."

Rattle pursed his lips and sat down on the edge of the bed.

John shook his head, a smile on his haggard face lightening the mood a little. "Plus, you're starting to grow on me, damn it," he said with a snicker. "Ass-wipe."

Rattle grinned. "Right back at you, Five-oh."

"Oh my, you two aren't gonna hug are you?" Roddy chuckled, mugging absurdly at them.

"You're actually okay for a cop. You, too," Rattle said to Roddy. "But I hear what you are saying. There is something pushing all of us together, so be safe." He stood up and grabbed the TV remote. "Now go away. I gots me some TV to watch."