Chapter Fourteen #4
Harlow thought his reaction was that of a man born and raised in a small, close-knit community.
The eccentric behavior of others was tolerated.
For Alek to imply what the sisters did—brawling at all the big events because they drank too much—was normal or reasonable seemed ludicrous, and yet he was very sincere.
Harlow’s world had been so different growing up.
Social behavior and etiquette were everything.
Even as a young child, she wasn’t allowed to make a mistake.
Certainly, there was never raising her voice or talking back to her parents—especially in public.
She was expected to look perfect at all times.
A brawl, even had she been a boy, with a sibling outside her home or inside it, would never have been tolerated.
“I’ll do the best I can to keep you out of it, but they have to be questioned,” Mary said.
“They’ve gotten worse as they’ve gotten older.
I wasn’t the one who answered the call when they were arrested for brandishing a firearm, but it was noted that they had been painting a mural on the side of their house.
Apparently, the fight started over that. ”
Sam and Rainier exchanged a quick look. “Did you know the sisters painted, Alek? Do they sell their artwork?”
“They do sell at the local craft fairs,” Alek said. “They like to paint cartoons of animals, mainly barnyard animals, like chickens and roosters. That kind of thing doesn’t appeal to me, but they do sell a few pieces to tourists, and some of the locals have them paint water tanks.”
“I’ve seen those,” Harlow said. “I had no idea they were the ones painting them. On the water tanks the cartoon scenes look charming. I always thought it was a fun idea.”
“On the water tanks,” Alek agreed, “but the cartoon thing is lost on me when it comes to art.”
“Did the sisters know you were displaying some of the local artists’ work in your restaurant?” Mary asked.
Alek made a face. “Yes. Everyone did. There was a write-up about it, and I was featured on the local radio show. I know the value of marketing, thanks to Stella, and I put the announcement in as many places as possible. Not to mention they come here regularly on Wednesdays to eat dinner.”
“Did they talk to you about the possibility of displaying their art?” Sam asked.
Alek shook his head. “No. And they’ve never made a fuss in my restaurant. Not ever. They only act out when they’re drinking or high.”
Harlow could see Alek was clearly defending his neighbors.
Personally, she thought anyone who drank and then shot up the neighborhood with a pistol was entirely capable of getting drunk and destroying a group of rival paintings.
She wasn’t going to make any judgments, but so far, there weren’t a lot of suspects that sounded promising. Not even Bale.
“I can’t afford to keep my business shut down for more than a day or two,” Alek continued.
“Would it put you out of business?” Mary asked.
“I took out another loan to do the renovations. It was a risk, but we’ve been doing so well, and it opened up more space for tables. But, yeah, I’m on a tight margin for the next year to get it paid off.”
“Do you have any rival restaurants that would benefit from putting you out of business?” Mary persisted.
Alek looked horrified. “No one would do that.”
“Alek, someone is responsible for this,” Mary said gently.
“Not someone I know,” Alek protested. “It can’t be someone I know.”
Harlow certainly understood his adamant reaction. She felt the same exact way when she was shown proof that Guadalupe, a woman she had known for years and had thought was her friend, was the one putting death threats in her mailbox.
“Alek,” she intervened. “I know how difficult it is to wrap your head around the possibility that a friend could betray you, but you and I both know it happens. Family members can betray you. Every single probability has to be looked into. I didn’t like it when things were going on, and Rainier insisted we look at friends along with every other option.
Shabina didn’t like it when she had terrible things going on in her life.
You have a wife and children. This restaurant has been your life.
Your dream. You can’t let someone take it away from you. ”
Alek heaved a sigh and then squared his shoulders. “You’re right, Harlow. I appreciate you coming and being my support system. All of you.”
“Of course, Alek,” Sam said. “These things are difficult. We’re not going to let you go through this alone. If you need help monetarily, let us do fundraisers for you. Stella is amazing at that. Zahra is the queen of fundraisers.”
“I don’t like taking charity.”
“How many times have you helped out when it was needed?” Shabina demanded.
“I’ll tell you how many. Every single time.
Every time, Alek. You have always been one of the first to support everything from Little League to Search and Rescue to the hospital fundraisers.
I could name any number of recent or past events that you helped with immediately.
The community likes to give back occasionally. That helps keep a balance.”
Alek smiled and then burst out laughing. “How can I possibly argue with that?”