Chapter 26: A Need To Chatter

 Chapter 26 begins with Ray walking into the Fine Time for a much needed night of chatter and other recreation. 

Many Cones is a podcast novel based on true crime. The murders inspiring this crime fiction took place 30 miles from Chicago in Northwest Indiana, and captivated the area from the initial brutal crime scene all the way through and beyond discovery of a shockingly bizarre motive.

It was Friday night, and the “Fine Time” was packed. When Ray walked in, there were no bar stools available. He spent five minutes circulating through the filled tables, greeting friends and acquaintances. Regis Cahan was in the middle of the room, seated across from an auburn haired, stunning, thirty something. They had eaten dinner in the bar area and Carol Lombard was clearing the empty plates. 

The auburn haired lady was clothed in a rather formal, black, tight dress, with a deep v-neck that accentuated her obvious bounty. She was somewhat overdressed for the surroundings. 

Cahan introduced Ray to his tempting partner. There was no hint of the conversation that never took place. Both men had learned long ago to mask worry, if you’ve done everything possible to control the problem. 

As Ray bent his crooked frame and reached towards the beauty, Carol said, “Baby, I’ll be done in an hour or so.” 

He droned, “Yes dear,” as he shook the soft, tanned hand. Regis and friend laughed at the not so subtle interruption. 

Grandisha noticed a space at the bar opening up. He excused himself and joined Ramon. His scotch was waiting before he climbed the stool. 

Ramon sensed Grandisha needed chatter. He stayed close and engaged Ray on a number of topics. The recent murders even made their way into the discussions. Ramon frequently sidled back and forth, preparing drinks for everyone. He was professional enough to continue his conversations uninterrupted. 

Additional spaces opened as the amateurs went home, having drank too much too soon. Within an hour of Ray’s arrival, the seats on his right and left were vacant. The slower pace of the professionals allowed Ramon more time to tend to the care of his charge. The empty stools gave them sufficient privacy to speak of more serious matters. The therapy helped. 

Carol Lombard sat on an empty stool next to Ray. His mood was such that the movie star shtick was repeated. She appreciated it. Ramon served her and gave Ray his third Glenlivet. 

Cahan and his conquest, finished with cocktails and on their way out, walked behind Carol and Ray. The beauty said, “Bye Ray.” Cahan just smiled. Ray gulped. Carol elbowed Ray. Ramon laughed out loud. When the third scotch was finished, they left. Both felt frisky. 

After a decent round of relations, Ray lay on his back, angled against the headboard, naked. Carol, also naked, lay on her side, against and partially on him. Her head and one breast nestled on his chest. A smallish, square, glass ashtray was positioned at the base of Ray’s sternum, on his stomach. He was inhaling a Pall Mall deep into his lungs, following the exhaled smoke as it rose, filling the room with a haze. 

Without lifting her head, Carol said, “A penny for your thoughts?” 

Ray’s laugh caused a rumble in his stomach and almost tipped the ashtray. “What did you say?” 

“A penny for your thoughts.” 

Grandisha responded, “My God. You did say that. I thought I was hearing things.” 

“Yeah, baby. I did say that... So... Tell me.”