Witch of an Ex, page 6
He came up behind me and put his arms around me. “It really is a bit of a miracle, isn’t it?”
I nodded. I was still having trouble talking about it. A miracle indeed.
“You need some more time here? I thought I’d go visit with the Browns, but I can go alone if you want.”
Marvin and Celeste Brown were the parents that Benjie had called Child Protection Services on. I took a deep breath. Yes. I wanted more time here. A lot more time. Perhaps a lifetime of it. But I also didn’t want my man going into what could be a dangerous situation alone.
That wouldn’t happen on my watch.
The Browns lived in a small ranch home just outside of town. When CPS had visited them, they’d seen the signs and had issued the report to the proper authorities. That had resulted in their children being removed from their home and both of them going to jail.
Cooking Meth will do that.
I’d seen what they called Meth heads before. That drug will change a person pretty darn fast. It takes a toll on one. The Browns didn’t look like any Meth heads I’d ever seen before.
Celeste let us in and showed us to the living room. “I wondered when you’d be coming around to see us. We really hated to hear about Benjie. The world lost a good man there.”
I looked over at Orville, but he just nodded. “Yes. It did. A good teacher, too. One who cared about his kids.”
If he’d been expecting that to get a rise out of her, he’d have been disappointed. She made a face and nodded. “Part of why we owe the man so much.”
Huh?
She must have seen my confusion. She started to say something, but Marvin Brown chose that moment to come into the room.
“Celeste, do you know where my badge is...” His words trailed off when he saw the two of us sitting on the sofa. “Oh, I didn’t know we had company.”
“I was just about to come get you, dear,” she said, putting her arm around his waist. “They’re here about Benjie.”
He nodded gravely. “Terrible business, that. You two have any leads on who done it yet? I really don’t like the idea of them walking around free right now.” He grunted. “Don’t really like the idea of them walking around period, to be honest.”
I stole another glance at Orville. This wasn’t the angry, vengeful couple I’d been expecting to interview.
Celeste smiled at me as the two of them sat on the love seat kitty-cornered to the sofa. “Benjie did us a favor when he called CPS on the two of us, you know.” She leaned into Marvin’s side. “He just might have saved all of our lives in the process too.”
Marvin nodded. “I’m pretty sure that’s a fact right there. I sure as heck didn’t really know what I was doing out there in that outbuilding lab of mine.” He looked over at us. “I lost my job a few months back. It was hard living on unemployment, but once that ran out... well, we were desperate. And that led to us doing something very, very stupid.”
“But the two of you lost your kids because of that CPS visit,” I said. “Surely that made you angry at the man?”
They looked at each other for a minute. A couple of tears slid down Celeste’s cheeks. “They were right to do that. It wasn’t safe here for them anymore. I always wanted my kids to be safe. Above all else.”
“And we’re working now to get them back.” Marvin pulled Celeste a little closer. “We stand a pretty good chance of it, too. Mostly thanks to Benjie. He went to bat for me. Got the school board to make an exception and hire me as a custodian for the elementary school.” He grimaced. “I’m not allowed to be around the kids, but I get that. That means I have to work nights, but it’s a start. A chance to prove myself and get our feet back on solid footing again.”
Celeste sniffed and nodded. “And I’ve started painting again. I’ve actually sold a few pieces online already. Again, all because of Benjie. He showed me how to set up my very own little art gallery website. It’s starting to take off too.” Then the tears started to fall in earnest. “We owe him so much, and now we’ll never get the chance to repay him. It isn’t right.” Her eyes might mine. “Whoever killed him needs to pay.”
“I agree. And I plan on making sure that happens too,” Orville said. I nodded to back up his words.
“Good. If there is anything you need from us, just say the word,” Marvin said, standing. “But I need to get ready for work. Can’t afford to be late.”
“There is one thing,” Orville drawled as he stood too. “Do either of you know anyone who might have wanted to hurt Benjie?”
The couple looked at each other, then they both nodded in unison. “Oh yes. You need to talk with Sally Durham. She and Benjie were an item a while back. From what I understand when he didn’t meet her demands of marriage, she went more than a little, well, bat-crap crazy. I’d say start with her.”
Sounded like a plan to me.
Chapter 10
It kind of surprised me when we didn’t immediately head out to talk with Sally. I was sure that would be the plan. Instead, Orville just looked at me.
“I could eat. How about you?”
Now that he mentioned food, I realized it sounded more than good to me too.
“That’s one of the perks of not being sheriff anymore, you know,” he said. “Regular mealtimes. A man could get used to this kind of thing.”
So could a woman. It was nice.
We ended up at Clucky’s Palace. I know, I know. The name could really use a bit more imagination. But what mattered was the food. At lunchtime, they hosted a chicken buffet that was well worth the slightly higher than a fast-food burger price. Besides, it wasn’t fast food.
Of course, I knew why this place was Orville’s favorite eatery in town. The main course on the buffet was fried chicken. Living proof that you are not, in fact, what you eat. My man could practically eat his weight in chicken, if it had a crunchy outer layer and was fried up nice and crisp.
It wasn’t good for his cholesterol—or mine either, for that matter. But every now and again? Well, a person’s gotta have some enjoyment in life or else what’s the point in living at all?
We filled our plates and sat down in a little alcove away from the main dining area. It helped that we were a little behind the normal rush hour. I’d kind of worried that might mean the buffet would be pretty emptied out. It wasn’t. They took pride in restocking the food regularly, and people were still coming in, just not quite as quickly as the noon rush.
I caught Orville looking at his plate heaped with chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, and corn muffins. Not like him to wait before digging in.
“You think maybe we should have invited Aldin to join us?”
I grunted. “Shoot, no. We bought the man food and gave him a place to stay. That’s a heck of a lot more than we owe the man.” Then I looked Orville in the eyes. “No way am I sitting down to eat with the man. Not happening.”
He smiled at me. “Good. I was feeling kind of bad there for a minute. Knowing that you feel the same way I do helps.”
After that, we didn’t do much talking. It just isn’t polite to talk with one’s mouth full.
We were just getting ready to hit the buffet for seconds when Orville’s phone went off. He glanced down at the number. “Nope. Don’t recognize that number.” Then he stood and started walking to the buffet.
I glanced at the phone still sitting on the table and stood to follow him. I was kind of liking this new found freedom my man had. No crazy hours, no missing meals, and no answering every call no matter what. A girl could definitely get used to this.
Our plates loaded down once again with food, we made our way back to the table. More chicken and potatoes for Orville, and dessert for me. One thing about this place. We always ate our money’s worth. Orville two or three times over.
He was about to take his first bite when his phone started dancing on the table. That was the only way I could describe it. Obviously, he’d set the thing on vibrate.
Orville stared at the thing in consternation.
“Oh, just answer the dang thing. You aren’t going to be able to enjoy your food until you do.”
He took a deep breath and answered. A second later, he made a face. “Hello, Aldin, what do you want?”
Orville listened for a minute, an odd look on his face. “Is that right?”
Personally, I hated people talking on cellphones right in front of you without putting them down to where you could hear too. But as I’d been the one who told him to answer the call, I couldn’t really make demands.
Still would have been nice to hear both sides of the conversation. Especially seeing as who was on the other end.
“All right. We’ll go and pay him a visit. Thanks for letting me know.”
He disconnected, and instead of playing nice, he immediately took a bite. A big one.
I glared at him. “That’s playing dirty pool, just so you know.”
Orville grinned at me. Oh, he knew all right.
“Ow!” Orville reached down to rub his shin.
I’d been nice. I’d waited for him to swallow first. After all, I wouldn’t want to get sprayed with food, now would I?
“I was going to tell you, you know.”
That got an arched eyebrow and a whole lot of silence. That wasn’t the point, was it? The point was him taking his own sweet time about doing so.
“Aldin forgot to tell me that the fifth and final member of our old gang was back in town.” He rubbed his shin again. It was possible I’d put a little too much force behind that kick. Not that the man hadn’t deserved it, but still. Might have to dig out some of Sapphire’s vanishing bruise cream when we got home.
“And that couldn’t wait?”
Orville lifted a shoulder. “Aldin seemed to think it might be important. I guess they were using the old Sanderson grounds for part of their treasure hunt thing. From the sound of it, Danny gave them their walking papers pretty quick when he found out about it.”
I frowned at him. “Forcibly?”
“No. He didn’t say that he was violent about it, but he sure wasn’t happy to catch the two of them digging on his property either.” Orville scrubbed his chin. “Which I know they shouldn’t have been doing in the first place, what with it being private property and all.”
I took a bite of my ice cream topped brownie and chewed thoughtfully. “I thought that place had been written off years ago. Abandoned after the father died in that car crash.” Another bite. Man, but that chocolate was hitting the spot today. “Did kind of surprise me that Mrs. Sanderson never just sold the place. I’d have thought they could have used the money.”
“I wondered about that myself. Not only did she not put it up for sale, but she also kept up the taxes on the place too. Well, she did up until last year.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I heard she lost a battle with cancer about a year back. I wrote to Danny, giving him my condolences, but he never wrote back.”
Orville shook his head. “It’s kind of sad when you think of it. The five of us were fast buddies back in the day. What happened to us that we grew so far apart?”
“Well, for starters, Aldin got between two people who were Goddess meant for each other, and Danny and his folks moved away. Kind of hard to keep up friendships after that.” I wasn’t going to mention good old Lester Campbell who had most likely simply let his hate for witches shine through a little too brightly for Orville to stomach him.
“I guess. Still sad, though. Although, I’m sure our other budding interests had a little to do with that too. Aldin and his magic and Lester with his go-cart racing. Then I discovered the Hardy Boys’ books, and well, yeah. That kind of sealed it right there.” He took another bite and chewed.
I waited. I could tell he wasn’t quite finished. Finally, he swallowed and glanced up at me. “You probably should know that Lester and Danny are cousins. Not that it means anything. Just to, you know, keep you in the loop on things.” He rubbed his shin again.
Yup. Definitely kicked a little harder than I’d meant to. But maybe my slight misjudgment had served a good purpose. Having all the information up front without asking was a pleasant change.
“We going to pay Danny a visit?”
He nodded. “Yeah. I think we kind of have to.” He looked at me. “But maybe we go in as friends instead of detectives? You okay with that? Danny’s had a pretty rough life. I really don’t want to make him regret coming home.”
“Friends it is then.” I glanced over at the buffet. “How much you think they’d charge for a big to-go box? Friends who haven’t seen each other in years tend to bring food along, don’t they?”
“Lord, but I do love the way you think.”
I left him to finish his meal, and I went to seek out the manager. Come to find out, they offered to-go boxes for the buffet, as long as you were willing to pay per the pound. Seemed fair enough to me. I loaded down two containers full of food. One of chicken and the other of various vegetables. Even a hungry man could make a couple of meals out of what I stuffed those boxes with.
Orville met me up front, we paid our bill, and we left.
THE OLD SANDERSON PLACE didn’t look so good. If a realtor were trying to sell the place, they’d probably say something like ‘home in need of some good old-fashioned tender loving care’. Personally, from the look of it, I thought what the house really needed was a lot more tough love than that.
It looked like a good stiff wind would topple the whole kit and caboodle thing over. I sure knew I wouldn’t feel all that safe sleeping inside that thing. I didn’t think house was the word for it anymore. Time had not been kind to the structure. That happens when a house is neglected for a couple decades.
Orville looked at the house and then back at me. “This isn’t good.”
I shook my head. It wasn’t. There was only one reason I could think of for a man to stay at a place like this. He’d hit rock bottom and had nowhere else to go.
I remembered Danny from school. We hadn’t been the fast friends that Orville’s little club had been, but Danny had always struck me as nice enough. Always happy and smiling. At least, he had been until his dad died. The change had been pretty drastic after that.
About halfway from the car to the house, I tripped and almost went down. Orville saved me... and the food. I wish I could say I had been his first priority, but his eyes were mainly on those boxes of food. Typical man.
Looking down to see what tripped me up, I found I’d stepped into what appeared to be a gopher hole. A really, really big gopher hole. Mutant sized, actually. Glancing around at the surrounding grass, I saw that it wasn’t the only one.
“Watch your step,” I told Orville.
He made sure I was standing firm before he looked around too. Then he nodded. “Dang.”
Yup. That pretty much summed it up, all right.
We knocked at the front door, but no one answered. “You think Aldin was leading us on a wild goose chase?” I asked. I wouldn’t put it past the man.
Orville shook his head, his brows furrowed. “No. I think Danny’s here.”
I took another glance around. “No car. Maybe he’s out running errands?”
My man didn’t budge. “Maybe, but I don’t think so.”
Folding my arms to my chest, I just looked at him. If he knew something that I didn’t, then he should tell me. Otherwise, all signs pointed to the man not being there.
He gave me a half-smile. “You know that witches’ intuition you’re always talking about?”
I nodded.
“Well, sheriffs—even ex-sheriffs—have an intuition too.” He pushed on the front door, and it opened. “And right now, mine is saying we’re being watched.”
Dang. Now that he mentioned it, my witch’s intuition chose to back up his sheriff’s intuition. Along with all the hair on the back of my neck.
“Danny?” Orville called out. “You in there? It’s Orville and Opal, and we brought you some food.”
“Well, why didn’t you say so?”
I jumped at the voice that came from directly behind me. Turning, there was Danny, standing not five feet away. The man was dressed head to toe in camouflage. Most camouflage I’d seen in the past didn’t really work. His worked really, really well.
The man’s gaze fell to the containers of food that Orville had saved from my close call. “That for me?”
Orville handed it to him. “It is. Thought we might have a little talk while you ate.”
Danny grunted. “Should have known it would come with a condition attached to it.” He opened the first box and glanced inside, then took a deep breath to smell the goodness inside. “Okay, so I guess I can live with that.”
I stepped to one side to let the man past us and into the house. Only that’s not where he went. He turned and walked back towards the tree line. After a few steps, he looked back over his shoulder at us. “You two coming, or what?”
We went.
Chapter 11
Danny finally stopped after we’d been walking for a good three minutes.
We ended up at a tent site. Well, with the state the house was currently in, that only made sense to me. With it being August, it was a darn might cooler here in the woods. Not to mention out of sight.
The tent itself was a fairly nice one. And yes, it was camouflaged, as well. Danny really didn’t want anyone knowing where he was, did he?
“Why all the camouflage?” Orville asked, speaking my question for me. It sounded better coming from him.
Danny lifted a shoulder. “If it’s all the same to the two of you, I’d rather keep me being here to myself. I don’t want to deal with people right now.” He gave a grunt. “Should have known that little weasel Aldin would rat me out to you. Whole town will be showing up at my doorstep next.”
“Why would they?”
He looked at me, then at Orville. “You really don’t know?”
We looked at each other, then back to Danny. “Obviously not,” Orville said slowly. “Maybe you could fill us in?”
Danny opened the container again and grabbed a fork from his little table. He motioned to the food. “You all mind if I eat while I talk?”
