Heaven's Gate Bridge thirty-seven

Heaven’s Gate Bridge thirty-seven
After Mr. Miller had attempted to phone the church, he tried to decide if he should go to help the firemen or wait until later to see if there was something he could do to repair damages. He was not too skilled with repairs but knew that if there was anything that needed painting, he could lend a hand. He walked to the back of the shop to see what was on his desk when he noticed the strange man walking by the window of the store. The stranger paused as if he wanted to stop but instead continued on.

Mr. Miller tried to take in all of the details of the man’s clothes and mannerisms so he could report him to the police. He did not think that men dressed as nicely as this man was, could be a criminal, but then criminals were not always poor either. The man had on a well tailored suit with a vest. He had a fine hat and carried an expensive walking cane. If Mr. Miller was not mistaken, the style came from somewhere in New York. He could have even guessed that the clothes might have been a continental style seen in cities in Europe.

Mrs. Smith came into the room to ask a question when she also noticed the man walking away.

“Oh my God! It’s him!” she gasped and backed slowly away to avoid being seen.

“Mrs. Smith do you know that gentleman?” queried Mr. Miller as he watched her for any signs that might show him that she was lying.

“Mr. Miller, I saw him for the first time about a week ago. This man seemed to be watching me from a hotel window as I was walking my child to the baby sitter’s place. Then a few days ago, he followed me. I have not talked to him, but he is sending chills down my back. I guess I need to report him to the authorities if he continues to follow me or get any closer.”

“Mrs. Smith, I think that if he has been doing this for more than a couple of days, then you should have reported him. At the very least, you should have told me because he could have come in here and started some very unpleasant business.”

“Mr. Miller, I am trying to do my work.” she said as she pointed to the back room. “And since we have not concluded our discussion of the other day, I have been trying to examine what I know and how to present facts to you sensibly.”

Mr. Miller walked around for a minute pondering what he had heard. It seemed as if that was a logical thing to do. There was a metallic sound of something falling just beyond the doorway in the back room.

“Hello, Mr. Munson. Are you listening to something that is private?” Mr. Miller asked in a commanding voice.

“Oh I am so embarrassed. I dropped this scissors. “ responded Mr. Munson as he stepped through the doorway and holding up the scissors.

“Mr. Munson, you are listening to something that is none of your business,” shouted Mrs. Smith with a red color coming to her cheeks and clenched fists.

“Mrs. Smith, if you are telling something to Mr. Miller about me, I have the right to hear it and prepare my defense.” he answered as he walked up to her and seemed to be grasping the scissors tighter.

Mr. Miller put his hands up to keep the two employees from moving any closer. He put his hand out to get the scissors out of Mr. Munson’s hands. He did not want any blood shed in his business place. Mr. Munson looked at the scissors and immediately gave them to Mr. Miller and then stepped back.

“You both are going to have a chance to say something about the incident tomorrow. I am not going to let discord detract from the environment of this business. Customers can tell if a business is cordial or not. Either we talk this out and conclude the problem, or one of you will be allowed to seek employment some where else.” He looked at both of the employees to see that they both heard him.

Each employee looked shocked about this statement. Mrs. Smith’s mouth opened and closed. Mr. Munson’s eyes opened wide and then he turned around to go to the back room.

“Wait a minute, Mr. Munson, I think that I will send you on a job that I was asked to do. Mr. Flemming is one of our oldest customers. He is indisposed with some gout. He has asked me to measure him for a suit and pick up some pants that need to be altered. I would like you to go do that and then return. His address is in the customer book. You may take the city transport. This should take you about half an hour each way. Mr. Flemming does tend to talk, but I expect you back no later than 4:30 or 5:00 this afternoon at the latest. I will hear from Mr. Flemming later today if this job was to his satisfaction.”

Mr. Munson nodded his head and left the room with a small smile on his face.

Mr. Miller turned to Mrs. Smith. “Mrs. Smith, I am still concerned about this mystery man. Do you feel comfortable coming here?”

“Yes, Mr. Miller. I know that my daughter is safe. I have told the manager in my apartment to not let anyone inside my room. And I have a friend down the street here if I need to run for help. He is the cook at the local cafe. I just want that strange man to go away. “ she said as she looked at her hands. They were shaking a little so she put them inside the pocket of her apron.

“Of course. It sounds as if you have thought of everything. Since I am here, no one can come into your work area. I am going to work on my accounting and later go to the bank. Let’s just calm down and try to finish some of the work for today. I will watach to see if he passes by again. If he does, I will see where he goes."

Mrs. Smith took a big breath and let it out slowly. She left the room to go to her work area after she stopped shaking. Mr. Munson can out with a large bag that had his tape measure and note pad. It was also big enough to put Mr. Flemming’s pants inside to bring back to the shop. As he left he looked over his shoulder and patted the bag. He hurried down the street to the corner where he could catch the bus.

Things seemed to calm down a bit. Mrs. Smith felt a slight headache begin. Mr. Miller worked on the finances for a small time. Just before he was planning to go to the bank, he received the phone call from Mrs. Noonan that informed him that he must hurry home. He informed Mrs. Smith of his emergency and rushed out of the shop. Even though Mrs. Smith felt comfortable inside the shop. She still had a small feeling that something about that stranger would be important to her.

**Author's note **
The last few chapters seemed out of order. Mr. Miller went to work, there was a fire in the church, the stranger passed his shop and then Mr. Miller recieved the phone call.
Mrs. Miller was at home, gave a key to the Burgoynes, then became ill. Mrs. Noonan came early and then called Mr. Miller to come home.
I hope this helps. Later editing will hopefully clear this up.
Thank you for all those who have been reading and giving such nice feedback.