The Blood Barn (Book #2 in trilogy)

Chapter 24: A Change In Plan

The drive to work took its usual forty minutes, but it felt much longer since I was worried about whether or not Marta would finish her task on time. She had already deboned one body by the time I got up and found her, but I had no idea when she woke up to begin working on it.

Knowing how good Marta was with a knife, I figured she would breeze through all three bodies before lunch. The part I was most concerned about was the disposal of them and the cleanup. I had helped her with Martin's puzzle-piece body and the leftovers from before him, but three fresh bodies all at once was going to be a massive challenge.

As I pulled into the school parking lot, I knew I had to think of a way to buy her some time. There was no way to push back the arrival of her new driver, but perhaps there was a way to postpone something else that would ensure more time for myself to think.

While I spent the morning washing the gymnasium for an upcoming basketball tournament, I couldn't help seeing bloodstains everywhere. It was like guilt was playing tricks on my mind as I pushed even harder with the mop.

Noon finally rolled around so I took my lunch break before I exhausted myself mentally and physically. I needed to breathe, relax, and call the butcher. I had to stay hopeful that Marta would take care of things at home, which I knew deep down she would, I just had to silence the doubting voice in the back of my mind.

Sitting down at the lunch table in the janitor's office, I unpacked my bag of leftovers that I threw together that morning. I popped the lid on the container and then placed it in the microwave for two minutes while I made my phone call.

"Hello?"

"Hey Ed, it's Sam." I greeted while standing several feet away from the microwave.

"Oh, hey Sam, how's it going?" He asked in his somewhat deep tone.

"Not too bad," I answered. "I was wondering if you wanted the cow I have. She seems to have died overnight in the barn. I found her this morning on a pile of hay in a stall, so I figured I would give you a call to see if you can do anything with her."

"I probably could," he assured me. "When can I swing by to take a look?"

"Maybe around dinnertime if that works for you?" I suggested.

"Say six o'clock?"

"Sure," I agreed. "That should work. I'll see you then."

"Sounds good, Sam. See you then."

As the call ended the microwave began to beep. I placed my cellphone on the table and walked over to get my lunch. The sweet potatoes were too hot to eat right away, but the meat was warm on the outside, which was good enough for me.

While I ate, I considered sending a text to Marta. Seeing as she had a large task at hand, I thought better of the distraction in case she were able to check it. I had to let her remain focused so that when I got home I wasn't surprised with more bad news.

After lunch I completed the cleaning of the gymnasium. The floor was ready to go, the benches set up by the change room doors, and the stands pulled out and cleaned as well. Even the change room was thoroughly cleaned, but in all fairness, no one had really been using it since I cleaned it last.

I clocked out for the day, leaving one other janitor behind who was working in the boiler room with a maintenance person. A security officer was roaming the halls and so I gave him a wave as I headed out. He acknowledged me with a wave back as I pushed the door open and headed to my car.

The drive home was a bit more relaxing. I had pushed worries and doubt from my mind after lunch, and provided Ed showed up with good news at six, I would have one less thing to worry about.